The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-06-21
MISS HERNDONs SILK DRESS
By MRS. sALLIE A. RAlrAGE.

Why, Miss Mitchell, what does this
mesnf Look at the front breadth of this
silk 1t is ruined completely. What are
these spotsT' And Madame De Verne,
the fashionable dressmsker of the city,
looked angrily at the young girl, who
stood veritable picture of disrnsy, hold
ing on her arm magnificent white silk
wedding dress. This Is what I get for
allowing you to take 1t to your room to
finish, though you begged so hard, because
you wanted to be with your little sister
but might have known you wouAG have
been careless and ruined 10. How did you
do it?" I can not imagine, Madame 1
was very particular with it, allowing Moth
ing to touch 1t, for fear It mighs be
soiled, and 1 did not notice the syots
until you opened the package moment
ago. can not tell what they are. nm
very sorry. and especially alter yen
trusted me with it.. But vial cover the
places with the trimming so tbsy will not
show, 1 can do it in little WHILE y
"Cover theml Indeed you will not. You
can just sit down and rip out the entire
your own expense, too and where the lace
is soiled, you will have to take out piece
and fit another in. Miss Herndon said
the silk was worth six dollars yard, and
the lace and satin are worth three times as
much. will advance you twenty five
nothing. That will be slightly over three
weeks wages at eight dollars a week.
As you are in debt to me
for small sum 1 loaned you when work
was dull early in the spring, we will Just
tix 1t at four weeks work !" and the stately
madame with one glance at the mirror to
see II her train laid properly the entire
length, was about to leave the room, but
the young girl caught her arm, ''O please
do not make me pay it all at once, i beg
YOU, How shall live for month with
out = cent? Let me repay you a few dol
lars week. implore you do not treat me
thus. Remember / have little baby
sister to take care of; do not force me to
send her to the Orphans Home. She has
never slept a night OF her lie out of my
arms. Don't tskeiher from me, it will kill
me if you do. 1 will work harder than
ever to please you, If you will on y give me
Minnie with me. 1 can net send her
| among strangers, she is so young and
motherless, and they might grow tired o.
| her and not think to take care of her as
have. Will you not be merciful to mee'
you know my rule, Miss Mitchell, and
It is useless for you to say anything far
her. Go on as rapidly as possible, for at
ten Miss Herndon want to see her dress
to decide on the arrangement OF the lsst
trimmings" Bitter were the tears that
trickled over the face so suddenly grown
p4ll,d and forlorn, TOR the Madsme1s
words were death knell to Gussie's most
cherished hope, to take Minnie to the
country when the season advanced and the
D of the city became so impure
and unhealthy. Her whole life seemed
absorbed in this child, left to her care by
her mother three years ago when she held
her babe of but g few weeks in her arms.
Her "a her had died only little while be-
| iol e, and she had none TO turn to tor coun-
| sci or aid, aud she had battled on bravely
and we'll until now, and the tears came
| faster when she thought of giving Minnie
up, even though the time of separation
would be short. She had LETT her in the
care of q woman who had a room next her
own, and bad been able to see her every
| hour herself, as she lived so close to the
msdame's. But she was called to come
| into the parlor with her work, and paus-
/
and bsthe her face before she VEN
tured in. Miss Herndon was waiting for
her dress, and listened with hardy con-
cesled imp stience to Madame DeVerne's
excuses. LET me see 1t as it is; why these
are the prints OF a child's hands, and very
dirty ones 1 should think. VINO did it,
madame? Do you allow children to ham
die such material as this? And the lace is
both soilee and crumpled. Who had the
Il w hannQna69O
Mitchell; well, will sne explain2" and the
cold gray eyes of the fashionable young
lady fairly blazsd with anger. 'I expect
my little baby sister did it, though
not until came back to the
house 1 see 1t. She must have touched
1t when 1 was not noticing her, bat will
| endeavor to repair whatever has been
done" "I presume so; though hope this
is the last time that beggars' brats ars al
lowed to Inspect and examine NV dresses
trust you understand me, Miss Mitchell" /"
| "Clara! Clsrsi you forget yourssl'. Do
not speak to the young lsdy In that style.
Remember she Is a woman, Ike yourself,
and you should treat her as you would be
treated in her place." and the young man,
who had thus far been gu ct
lister spoke swith feeling and warmth.
Every well, Edwin, understand my own
affairs. Madame have this ready for the
lace by Thursday" and the proud beauty
lett the room, never deigning to notice
either her brother or the poor. sesmstress s
who had been too surprised and hurt to
reply TO her cruel woros "Miss Mitchell.
YOU must let me apologize for my sister.
Sne- spoke without thinking of what she
was saying. 1 peg you Will not be dis
tressed at her words nor manner" and
with q low bow he was gone. "Now, Miss
Mitchell, you must work harder than y"u
o YER did 70 get that done by Thursday, for
IL yon DO not 1 shall lose Miss Herndon'
patronage, and that would not be small
item either. 1 will see about havip 6
Minnie sent to the Home IL you wan
me to, and you can have her ready to
20 IS soon as you desire. am
scquainted with the mana .ers, so the. g
will be no trouble. Probably sue will &c
TO morrow early, as / will attend to IL
once" Never sadder though 6
wrought in with the "loDg white seams