The Lincoln County herald., 1872-03-14
ONLY TWO DOLLARS.
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.


Only two dollars-that was all she had
in her purse. She was a very pretty
young lady, who lived In q very nice
brown stons house, and had q father in
good business 10 the city; but two dol
lars was all she had, not u penny more.
Papa gave her regular monthly allow
anoe, and expected her to dress out of
that, and mamma had spared oil sho
could from the Housekeeping bills that
month; and here she was invited to 20
upon sleighiug party, to ride with that
charming fellow, Graham Ashbury, too,
and though her dress was very handsome,
she thought Of twenty little things she
should like to have, to set her off more
showily.
She was sorry that she had wasted go
much on French pastry and candied
fruits and ice cream, and other such con
fectioners' dainties, and she could only
buy q new pair Of lemon colored gloves.
These she would have. Her brown kids
had been worn twice, and the mause,
though only once on, had spot on the
palm, into which that romp, Kitty Glover,
had dropped q sugar plum. So gloves
she must have.
ut would only take two dollars to get
me there, and cant raise that"
he girl who had clutched her dress
was saying this. Lilly listened, recall
ing her wandering thoughts from black
stitched with red, and mauve with two
buttons, and lemon color with ta.sel.
"You see, we weren't here over month
and mother died and I've just buried
her. It was consumption. Don't be
afraid lady; I wouldn: have touched
you if it was anything catching. And
slept in The station house last night, aud
they gave me no bed. l laid on the
floor, lady. And I've brother working
up the river. 1t takes just two dollars
to get me TO him. I've begged and
begged ; but, you see, there's such lot
of beggars-such lot--and | amt none
lady. This is the first ever asked, God
knows and oh, do help me p
The thin shawl futtered the thin
dress twisted itself about the slender
form. The face was gray and pinched
with cold; the eyes, long Iashsd and
beautiful by nature, we're wild now with
hunger and anxiety: Such a contrast
was this girl to that other wsl-fed girl,
with bright color, and dimples in her
cheeks, and furs about her throat, and
shielding her dainty hands from the cold
this other girl who shrunk back half
frightened at the others eagerness.
"Im sorry, but haven't anything,
she said, and hurried on, half running
into the arms of stout lady who was
advancing to meet her.
Dear me how dye do? ?" said the
stout lady. THAT girl been pesterinl
you? The police ought to attend to sucl
people, 'Tis a great shame. All i'm
posters, every one of them T.
"Yes," said Lilly Grey, II suppose
they are. What are you going for
Gloves? So am "
And the two bought their gloves and
parted
Lilly went home, with the dainty pack
age in her muff, and set about some littl'
alterations in her dress that she fanciec
would make it moro becoming. But al
she stitched, sitting with her feet on
footstoo near the register, certain yer,
uncomfortable thoughts that had been
pinching and nipping her ever since sh'
met that poor girl, began to be more un
comfortable still. The pinched gray face
the eager eyes, the thin Auuering shaw
with its diugy border of red aud gray
haunted her like vision.
| "a l.
asked herself. II wonder whether shs
really wanted two dollars to get to he
brother? Was it my duty to give it i
she did, and wear those mean old browl
things? 1t couldn't be-l'ms sure i
couldn't"
But conscience would not be quietec
by the reiteration.
"She looked as if it was all true sh,
spoke so, that poor shivering thing
And the brown gloves were whole, and
Oh. goodness, what is one to do ?" sale
Lilly to herself.
There's nothing left for anything bu
clothes, the way people dress now a.days
ln my mothers time, it must have beef
SO different-no Aouuccs, no trimming
half the number Of yards in dress.
II declare don't know what is to b,
done-what is right and what isn't"
"Papa, aren't street beggars general,
impostors ?" she asked, hoping to gail
some comfort at dinner time
"Yes, my dear. believe So" said tn,
old gentleman. "Some Of them wortl
their thousands.
Bqt Lilly felt sure that that shivern!
girl vas not "worth her thousands" Sh,
could not drive her out of her mind, eveI
when, on the next morning, Graham
Ashbury's handsome sleigh stopped Al
the door, and she pulled on her lemon
colored gloves and tripped down stairs tt
greet him.
II hope you are wrapped up we'll. IT.
very cold, Miss Lilly" said Ashbury.
And at that there came thought o
the shawl that au,tered 10 the bitter win,
the day before, and the girl who wantee
| al t-n dnl llar 70 10 he, k.n