The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1872-09-13

my own money, that father gave
me-"
"Well, child, don't blush so; I didn't
think you stole them, but they are a
lovely match for my suit; just lend them
to Inc to-day, please"
hesitated. Was it selfish? l did
so love to see my hand look we'll. My
father had called it beautiful, had been
proud to see it in well-ftting glove,
and this was the only luxury l dared
tallow myself now; now that 1 was only
able to pay for my board by the labor
Of head and hands.
!. "Thcsc are all have to wear, cors-
in."
ss"Wcll, Kitty, take an old pair OF
mine, just as we'll, you know, for a run
with the children; these lislethread will
do nicely; and yours are lovely color
for me to ride in. When I am married,
dear, you shall have all the gloves you
want Don't be so slow. Mr. Ray
mond hates to wait"
l took them off lingeringly, the
modest, pretty gloves, my fathers fav-
orite color, and wondering how she
could speak his name SO carelessly, /
drew the loose, half-worn cotton ones
on as l went down stairs, while Edith
hummed an opera air before the mir
ror. I never had thought I was sell
fish; l don't know why my eyes filed
with tears, unless it was the thought
that no one cared now to see me neatly
clad
In the lower hall I saw a gentleman
standing, hat in hand, waiting for my
cousin. There was queer expression
in his eye and around his mouth. He
must have heard us. I thought he saw
my tears, and would judge Inc weak
and childish; but he only bowed and
opened the door for me- was not
accustomed to receive attention from
any in the house, and it embarrassed
ne, but | thanked him, and, before I
had walked far, they came out and
drove away. l walked slowly along,
the children running by my side, and
! tried to keep the tears from starting;
but for once I could not control them
| bit my lips, looked everywhere, tried
to smile at the little ones pretty pranEs,
but all in vain-that dreadful feeling
in my throat would not he choked
back: so l pulled down my brown veil,
aud let the trouble-one tcnrr have their
way.
don't think ever before got so
humiGating view of my own selfish
hess. Could all this unhappiness have
come from single pair of kid gloves!
What would t., dear father say, if it
w.re true, as some thought, that he
could note my comings and goings, my
spiritual deterioration and all my petty
weaknesses? 1t was comfort to feel
that he would know | was ashamed
already: 50, as the clock warned me
that my time was up-and Aunt Maria
was very systematic in all her household
arrangements--I turned toward
home.
l had my dinner always with the
: children, and supper also. We took
breakfast with the family, but Edith
was seldom up then. After dinner they
recitcl with me until four, and then l
amused them in the play-room until sup
per, unless the sewing pressed, as it
often did. How / longed sometimes to
60 down into the lofty drawing room
and play little on Edith's grand
piano. My fingers tingled to try some
of the old pieces father used to love so
much; but l never dared. That after
noon as l sat on the upper stair by the
play room door, watching the children
and listening to Edith as she practicel
something new, heard the door bell,
and some one call my name. Looking
over the banistcrs, the nursery girl
said: GA package for you, Miss
Kitty"
i What could it mean? I never had
: package before. l few down, and
found it really and plainly directed to
me, Miss Kitty Gray" Just then my
Aunt Maria looked from her room and
asked, "What is it! Who could have
sent you anything! Come in here child,
and open it.
How l would have liked to be alone;
but there was no help for it, and with
trembling iingures, pulled off the
wrappings and found whole box of
: gloyes-the sweetest colors, and just
my size laughed out loud, was SO
happy, and before thought of my
aunt Maria, l said: "Oh, some one
knows what | like best. Dear cousin
Edith must have done it."
Nonsense! Edy would not do so
foolish a thing. l think very likely
they are misdirected. It's Edith's
number, l bclieve.''
My poor heart it fell away below
Zero | answered, eyes, believe it
is. But, aunt Maria, perhaps there