Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-04-13

wa1nluS ncI, viii u 6klrt-llnln2 depend
ing from her bony arm
Ruth, said the old maid, obviously,
Il don't understand you at ALL
Don't you, Hetty, Well, that's not
at all strange, for half the time don't un.
derstand myself"
mo; but-Ruth, this arrangement
seems to me SO unsatisfactory-so insult
| able
Don't my work give satisfaction"
never had an apprentice learn half
SO quickiy-those white little fingers of
yours seem gifted by magic"
THANK you,n said Ruth, bowling de.
murely. "The spool of yellow silk.
please. Didn't you tell me that Miss Ire
vor was coming here at eleven to try on
her apple-green crapef''
So she said-and there is the slei gh
dashing up TO the door now, with the
horses all foaming, and the driver in his
gold banded hat. It's fine thing to be
rich. Are you sure the dress is ready,
Ruth 90
Quite
Perhaps Ruth Murray's cheek was a
trifie pinker than usual as Miss Trevor
rustled loftily into the room, but otherwise
there was no shade of difference in her
manner or demeanor. lt
g I'm afraid I'm little behind time"
began the imperious young lady, throw
ing Oft her costly ermine cape, but
Why, Ruth Murray, this surely cannot be
your
1T is ], Miss Trevor. =
Maria Trevor stared.
20, you have come to have a dress
fitted-Miss Mackenzie has admirable
success"
No." said Ruth quietly; /" am Miss
A1ackenzie's ASSISTANT
"a dressmakerr almost shrieked Miss
Trevor.
Yes; dressmaker"
Maria drew herself up haughtily.
This isvery strange" she said, frigidly
- nay, it is quite unaccountable.
thought you were a visitor at Wardley
Place.
+" was"
"Asd did Kate Wardley know"
Who was? Perfectly
Maria tossed her head.
Upon-my---word this was really too
gratuitous an insult to her other guests.
Kate Wardley shall know my opinion Of
her conduct"
Ruth had grown pale and then red, but
the next moment score of laughing
dimples broke out around her mouth.
g Il acas dreadful to admit dressmake r
into the circle of her aristocratic friends
and it was unheard of audacity in the
dressmaker 10 venture within the charm
ed limits viii you allow me to try on
your dress, Miss Trevor"
Maria stood haughtily silent in the
middle of the room while Ruth, mounted
on a stool to bring her nearer TO Miss
Trevor's height, put in pins here and
there, and laid little folds, and basted re-
fractory seams.
"She is pretty" thought Maria, as the
sunlight glanced athwart Ruth's golden
hair ard showed the exquisitely fine tex
ture of her rose-leaf skin. G. No pearl
powder there! wonder if there was any
truth in the report that Charles fancied
her The idea of our brother flirting with
Recommendations of course it was moth
ing more than flirtation!'
And Miss Maria unconsciously gave
herself such jerk that two pins flew halt
across the room, and Ruth arched her eye
brows. ae .- ~
F." Dear me, Miss Trevor, | shall never
get your dress fitted If you don't stand a
little stiiler ~ ., .
"Homer' said Maria Trevor, impera-
lively, to the coachman, as she folded the
gay Afghan over her silken skirts. The
promised turn in the Central Park must
stand aside now-Miss Trevor was anxi-
Gus to impart to others the choice bit of
gossip she had just CLEANED.
Mrs. Trevor was dreaming over bit OF
embroidery by the fire, and Charles Ire
vor, standing in the bay window, was
glancing up and down the columns Of the
morning paper, as Miss Maria entered.
1t was magnificent drawing room, with
ceilings OF fresco and gold, and carpets
soft and rich as finest moss, while plate
glass windows, hung with massive satin
draperies, let in a softened light, and
rich pictures glimmered on the walls.
The Trevors were not rich-but the Ire
vors were very worldly, and knew exactly
how to make appearances their tool.
Mamma, what do you think" ex-
claimed Maria, breathless and eager
"that Ruth Murray, whom we met at
Wardley Place-the pretty blonde l told
you Of" f#
What of herS'' asked Mrs. Trevor, as
Maria stopped for breath, and Charles
looked quickly up, with deep flush on
his cheek.
"She's nothing but dressmakerp'.
Nonsense, Maria--you must be mis-
taken" tIt
"But I'm not mistaken, mamma. Isaw
her this very morning at Miss Mackenzic's I;
and she tried my dress on with her own
hands'
"Surely, my love, Kate Wardley would
never invite young person in that social
position To"
"But, mamma, the Wardleys are so
odd, you never know what freaks they
may be guilty Of The idea of common
dressmakers presunatng to associate with
one so far above herr
"Stop moment, Maria" said Charles
Trevor, advancing into the room. ~
have vet to learn in what respect Miss
Murray is at all inferior to any OF the
guests at Wardley Place. In my estima-
tion. her beauty, grace and intellect place
her far above any young lady therel"
There, mamma, / told you just how
| it vast" said Maria, turning TO her moth
er. /" Charles has just been foolish enough
| to become infatuated with her baby face
and lisping voice. / wish we had never
gone to Wardley Placer b.
" My dear boy" urged Mrs. Trevor
" YOU surely cannot be in earnest"
| - Mother" said Charles, quietly, II
am so deeply and entirely in earnest that
1 n o,l, ,,r,, ,pithin very few daye