The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1875-01-09

convenience any length of time she
chose to mention"
And he unfolded the rich fabric, skill
fully holding it up SO that the light
should strike its rosy sheen to the best
possible advantage.
How beautiful it was Amethysts
shot with glimmering lines of silver
buds of spring violets in the sunshine
midsummer sunsets Lottie thought
of all there beautiful things as she
looked at it.
"Pray send it home at once" she
said, laying down her fifty dollar bill,
"and credit this on my account"
And then she tripped around to the
dressmaker's.
Mrs. Paterson was at the dress
maker's-a plump, rosy, widow, with
more money than she knew how to
spend. She had always liked young
Mrs. Mellen, and now entered with
alacrity into her plans.
ga nice place to go. my dear" said
she. "Once let yourself be seen at one
of Mrs. Benedict's parties, and your
position in society is settled at once.
have cards myself; but, of course, 80
soon after my poor brothers: death I
couldn't go out. And you're to go in
lilac moire antique. eh, my dear? I'll
tell you what want you to look nice,
and I'll lend you my diamonds"
Lottie's cheeks flushed exultantly as
she thought Of Mrs. Parkerson's dia-
mond necklace, with its glittering pend
ant. and the bracelets studded with
gems, to say nothing of the great soli-
taires, like drops of dew that hung from
her earrings.
"Oh, Mrs. Parkerson |" she ex-
claimed breath lessly, chow can ever
thank you"
Look as pretty Is yoa can, my
dear" said Mrs. Patterson, good ma
turedly. i" That's the way to thank
met"
Miss Mousley, the dressmaker, and
Mrs. Mellen were in deep consultation
as to whether the front of the dress
should be cut a Ia Pompadour, or with
corsage, the next day, when the latter
was summoned down stairs. There
stood Mr.. Pepper, the painter, in the
hall.
Begging your pardon, ma'am, for
interrupting you," said he, humbly
dofiing his cap; "but Mr.. Mellen told
me you would let me have the money
on my little accountp
Lottie crimsoned.
"I am very sorry, Mr.. Pepper" said
she, nervously "but you must call
again next month p
"Mr. Mellen said you'd pay me with
out delay, ma'am."
81 can't help what Mr.. Mellen said, I"
exclaimed Lottie. "I haven't the
money. That's enough"
"But ma'am, was assured I should
have it without any mistake. I need it
ma'am, to send my sick wife out west
to her mothers, and"
at have no time to stand here talking
my longer, said Lottie, mortified,
ashamed, yet still endeavoring to pur-
suade herself that the man had
no business to be 80 persistent. "I
will let you have the sum as soon as
possible. In the meantime you must
wait r.
Pepper went away with q sad face,
which haunted Mrs. Mellen for many a
day, and Lottie returned to the dress
making operations.
The lilac MORE antique was made and
fitted superbly. Sister Helen, who had Q
rich husband, lent the point lace hounces
and scarf and Mrs. Parkerson's man
servant brought around the satin casket
of diamonds early in the afternoon |;
and Lottie Mellen went to Mrs. Bene-
diets ball, in the same carriage with her
sister and sisters husband.
For once, am equal to any mil
1ionaire's wife on the avenue" thought
Lottie, with a thrill of triumph at her
heart.
Her entrance made sensation. She
was quite aware of that as she swept
through the brilliantly lighted rooms;
and it was no small wonder, for she was as
beautiful as a vision, with her golden
hair, deep blue eyes and queenly height,
while the lilac MORE antique and dia-
monds set her off rarely.
Mr.. Bently Benedict leveled his eye
glass at her, as she passed IN, after the
usual presentation to her host and hos
tess.
$50 that is the wife of your conf
Dental clerk, eh, Joe?' said he to his
brother. GA silk gown for . royal
princess, point lace that couldn't have
cost less than one hundred dollars a
yard, and diamonds that blaze like
comets I don't exactly fancy that
sort of confidential clerk myself! LIE!
me see-how much did you tell me you
paid him? Fourteen hundred year ?"
Mr.. Joe Benedict looked uneasily at
the brilliant vision.
ct can't account for it," said he
slowly. az always supposed Mellen to
be reliable sort of a fellow, but I
must say don't like the looks of this.
I'm afraid we have trusted him too far,
although the accounts seem straight
enough. I'll look into them tomorrow.
He did look into them.
$50 far they are right" he said to
himself. "But it's better to be on the
safe side. A clerk whose wife dresses
like a duchess can't be altogether
straight. I'll discharge him r.
So Clarence Mellen lost his situation,
at the beginning of the winter, with
hard times looking him gravely in the
face.
Mr.. Benedict told him frankly why.
"I saw your wife at my brother
Bentley's ball" said he, "dressed in
MORE antique, costly lace and diamonds.
l bring no acquisition-I have no COM
plant to make-only, in tbs Sc days of
embezzlement, forgery and defalcation,