The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-05-06
THE WHITE MUSLIN DRESS
A STORY OF TWO SISTERS.
BY HELEN FOREST GRAVES.

| ~ OuiJ hSoHe'ShS5 DSSsNA NAoy
lis," said Mr.. Atheling; but Melicen
lis very delicate, and I think it il
always best to take these things il
time"
"Certain1y-ccrtainly," said Docto
Maylis, abseutly.
lie was not thinking of what th'
bald.hcaded, sumptuously- dressed ole
gentleman was saying-hc was look
| ing at Meliccnt Atheling, rs she re
clincd in a low chair, in II blue sill
morning-wrapper, with turquoise ii
her cars, and greet clusters of dia
monds sparkling on her pretty fnger
"a human "lily of the field" wht
"toilcd not, neither did she spln."
How different she was from tho
last patient he had visited, this spoil
ed, lovely heircss!
STOPPING over lis tablets, be hur
ricdly penciled a prescription.
;This will set your head right
said he, rising.
"Why are you in such a hurry p
pouted Mclicont, with q shy sidclong
glance from beneath her long, dark
Iashos. "It's so dull here, and l de-
pended on you for a little news and
gossip
"News and gossip! Nay" the
handsome young physician answered
carclessly, 81 am a poor medium fol
that. But l am busy to-day. By.
the-way, Miss Hester"
Hester Athcling came from the
window where she had been sewing
in unobtrusivc silence. She was q
pale, dark girl, singuIarly unlide Mel
iccnt, although sLo was Mr.. Athe,
ling's daughter by his first marriage
-one Of the worlds Marthas, who
are seldom missed until wo ore forced
TO look in vain for their quiet Offices d
duty and affection. ...'
"What can / do for you, Doctor
Maylis ?" ,....' s-.,s.: s... .5
II don't exactly like to beg" said
the doctor, laughing, shut I have just
como from q house where q young
girl--scarccly older than yourself,
Miss Meliccnt-is drifting away on
consumption. She is working girl,
pititully poor, and suffering for the
little luxuries which are almost q
necessity for ono in her condition
In q large establishment like this,
thore is almost always q superiority
wine, fruit, little dclicacies-"
Il understand, DR.. Maylis," said
Hester, quietly. "Whcro docs she
live p
"In Mc!yncux street, No. 10. Her
name is Estclle Rcnoux-a French
girl"
ooh, I know" cried Mclicent, sud.
denly lifting her golden curls from
the blue satin. pillows-"JuIie Re.
noux's sister! Julie does up all my
Swiss dresses and fine .laccs. I pay
Julie great prices, because she does
them up in real French style-like
new. / never could bring myself to
beat down the poor!"
."Melicent is so kind hearted" said
old Mr.. Athelipg, patting his daugh.
ter's check.
Or. Maylis weat away.
."Isn't he handsomc?" said Melicent
when she was alone with Hoster
"His features are as straight as a
Greek statue. and there is that
dreamy, far off look in his eyes that
I can never tathom. l like a man
that [ can't understand. Hottie, I'll
wager my diamond loclct against
your ivy-leaf pin that I am Mrs. Dr.
Maylis in three months"
81 do not like wagers," said Hettie,
coldly; "and least Of all, on such sub
jeets as that"
"You're born to be an old maid !!
said Melicent, laughing. "He is to be
at Mrs. Cressy's tomorrow night
Leonora told me so-and 1 shall have
q fine opportunity to fascinate him
then and thero."
Hester looked almost enVl0usly al
her younger sister.
"Am 1 growing envious?" she asked
herself, biting her lips. cam I vair
enough to fancy that DR.. Maylif
would ever cast q second glance to
ward me p
| And she went away with crimsonec
cheeks and hurried footsteps.
"Hetty!" her sister called after her
Gom the luxurious depths of tht
blue satin sy.chair, eff you're really
going to that Renoux place, ask Julie
Iio sand hnma NV India muslin.