Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-11-12


hard knot? Resign ourselves and tell
our friends that concerts and courtships
and other decencies of civilized life are
not for our-income?"
"There is the old black silk basque"
continued Harriet, as if she heard moth
ing. 1.-THE silk was never good, but it
will not show so much in the evening.
Yon can take out the sleeves and wear it
as a sleeveless basque. And that three
dollars that we saved"
"We!-you saved for your shoes" in
terpolated Jennie.
Harriet put that aside with wave OF
the hand.
Il saw ladies' boots on Eighth avenue
don't scream, Jennie-velveteen boots
for two dollars. Dreadful, / now,
but not so dreadful as to show ones
stockings. You must put your best foot
foremost, or rather keep it out of sight,
and pray that there be no wind. And
you can get lavender gloves to match
ing dollar"
Il will keep that" said Jennie, logged
ly, "to buy the ears and snout and make
myself the pig complete that l should be
if l listened to you, who have had no
shoes in six months, and who limp on all
the down-hill sides of the street because
of those dreadful heels; you, who go no.
where; you, who staid at home from the
parsonage reception; you give me that
three dollars that you have pinched OFT
from your bread and butter! Never!
I'll stay at home with you"-throwing
her arms about her sisters neck.
"Cannot you understand" retorted
Harriet, "that this is a speculation and
the purest selfisbnessY" Then she pushed
her away, not urgently, though. snow,
listen. Since l must speak out, that
three dollars mean to invest in Messeps
stock with an eye to future profit. You
are not woman of business. am.
see so clearly that want words to eX-
press it that the income on which two
starve will support one in luxury, when
am left alone.'
Jennie grew scarlet.
CAS- for that, it is all nonsense. !
wonder you talk so. But if-say any
thing did happen-O Harriet! you know
very well where go you would 60 tooI'
And there would be clause in the
marriage ceremony" said Harriet, smil
ing slightly-'I take this woman and
her sister to be my wife My poor little
Jennie, my poor child, take your money
and buy your boots. Indeed, you must
If you don't go I will, and have them
fitted on my own foot, little tight, and
then shall lose my mornings sewing.
So adjured, Jennie went. But remorse
kept fast by her, and disgust half choked
her
at is like numbering your neighbor
for two-and-sixpence," she told Harriet
"To be guilty of such meanness, for
velveteen boots and dollar glovesp
Nothing pleased her. She looked at her
| Victoria lawn and its scant plaitings with
a sheer. 81 should wear placard,
| $2.50-cheap, on my back" she OBJ
served "That is what such suits are
selling for" The old silk waist was in.
toerable. She vowed she would prefer
shilling calico, could she afford to buy
one. The wind was rising-indeed, i,
was sullen, cloudy afternoon.
81 shall look like hen on wet day,
she told her sister, drawing on her right
| hand glove. Just then the bell rang, anG
at the same instant the glove split entire
| ly across the back. She glanced at her
self in the glass (for her eyes were red
! and the sunshine out of her facet and
| turned to her sister with an indescribablt
| look
You have invested your three dollars
badly, my dear"
Mr.. Messeps was waiting for her in
the little dark, horse-hair furnished par
lor; gloves and trowsers cream color, coa
and necktie perfect, collar and studs. II
anything were wanted to complete the
poor girls depression it was the air OF
\ foe nd hat naI
actually to radiate from his handsome
and satisfied self All in moment she
felt herself half-starved, as she truly
was, pinched, woe-worn, awkward, map
propriate, and advanced toward him
rather with the air Of convicted felor
than of the high spirited and coquettisl
| girl she really was. Mr. Messeps glanced
at her clOuded face, then at her dress
and started-at least to the girls sensi
tive fancy-and subtle, chilling reserve
at once seemed to form itself between
them. He was daunted by her manner
She was as happy and comfortable as {
| girl could feel in high wind, with shor,
skirts and dreadful velveteen boots anC
one bare hand, that will get red and
swollen, resting conspicuously on gen
tleman's arm, and miserable conscious
ness that she is in every way at hel
worst. AS they neared the corner they
met Matilda Mason. She smiled know
ingly at Mr.. Messeps, took in Jennie in
one long, woman's look, till her eyes
reached the ground, and started theat
rically. Mr.. Messeps instantly looked
down. AT that moment the sullen wind
tearing up the avenue in cloud of dust
caught them, seized on Jennie's ligh
skirts, wrapped them tightly about hel
ankles, and held them there.
Mr.. Messeps saw, the whole worlC
saw, the whole of the velveteen boots.
1t is hardly reasonable to suppose tina,
| from that moment, as Jennie told hel
| sister Mr. MesspnS turned the copverca