Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-02-17
Srlftt Storp.
THE DoVE-coLoRED SILK.

q
BY kind OF thoughtful arrange
ment on the part of their employers
every domestic in the house OF Sir join
Dayton, baronet and banker. received
his or her salary one week before Christ
mas day.
Very bright and tempting looked tbs
Tiny pile OF sovereigns that LoIiie Warde
Miss Dsyton's own maid. carried away tC
her chamber, and sat mediIating over
with 4 cloud OF her pretty tsce such as il
seldom wore. Last Christmas the spend
ing Of her money had cost her no trouble,
except 9 quickly stihed regret that she
could no, do more with it tor those dear
ones. whose kisses and joyful thanks had
been such pleasant requital OF her gen
eiosiiy.
Although she was as dutilul and loving
a daughter and as kind sister as ol
yore, there hai been an event in LOltie'-
lite since the year began that was closely
connected with the impatient sigh sh,
gave, as she sat gazing at her gold. and
abSuactedly turning il over aud over in
her palm She had met. at the house OF
an Old friend of her late la,hcr. a young
mas 50 well connected that many won
dvred he should think OF wedding a girl
who was in service Mr.. Charles
Morrison. they argued, with his good
prospects and excellent situation in the
office OF SmiIhson Brothers, ought "a
look higher tor n wife than Lotlie Warde.
whose father had died bankrupt, and
whose mothers sole dependence was the
annuity some OF Mr. Warde's compass
sioua,e creditors had purchased Tor her.
Bat II Charlie Morrison heard these
things hinte be laughed and forgot
them. lie loved Lo,lie Tor hersell-her
sweet temper. her good principles, and
tae pretty face and figure. that were
always set of by the perfect neatneSs and
proprioIy with which she dressed.
Lottie, however, had taken to heart
many OF the remarks made in her pres
euce or told Oy i'll uatuIed friends, and
had rather hastily decided in her own
mind that the relatives OF her afiianced
husband looked down upon her because
Of her position. This lancy-ior it was
no mote-had made her shy of meeting
them, and unwilling to accept the invita-
ton so kindly sent to her. But ChaI lie
had made point of her acceding 10 his
parents wish that she should join the
family patty they always gathered round
them at their handsome house at Clap
ham on the eve of the great festival and
rs Miss Day ton had cheeriully consented
TO spare her. she had not been able 10
excuse herself.
Naturally timid and shrinking from
strangers. Loltie looked forward TO this
visit as an ordeal rather than a pleasure.
She was TO be introduced TO Charles
married sister from Manchester and To
the wealthy uncle FROM whom he had his
expectations; and her anxiety that they
should think well OF her eliminated in
the inquiry. What shall wear?'
II was no use discussing this question
with her betrothed She knew that be
would say tha, nothing could be in better
taste than the well.fitting dark merino
that had been her best dIess since the
commencement OF the autumn. But
LoItie had her share of girlish vanity,
and as she raised her eyes 10 her looking.
glass vision rose before her OF / certain
dove eOlored silk in MERGERS window
near ST Paurs that would become her
admirably. II was true that such an ex-
pensive purchase would absorb every
iarthiDg in her possession, but she chose
to ignore this. So strong grew IN temp
tation that when Lotlie went that evening 2
TO visit her mother she fingered long at
the MERGERS window, and decided that on
the morrow the dove colored silk should
be her own.
The children threw down their books
and toys when Lottie entered. Tor they
loved her dearly. and Mrs. Warde,
though she had been wearing "A very
anxious face. as she stitched busily at
some childish garment, contriyed TO smile
al her eldest daughter, who, however,
was not easily deceived.
Something has gone wrong, mother
am sure of it by Your looks. What is
it?r
Nothing you can alter, dear nothing,
in facf that I ouUht IN dwell unon |