The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-03-24

4 young lady whom Mrs Black had called
"Miss Lou" at the dinner table; she
placed the water pitcher on q stand, and
stood gazing with undisguised admiration
at the lovely lady. Presently Miss Ar.
cher turned around and said with smile,
"Are you good hair-dresserf"
II don't know" replied Vine, Ut never
brushed any ones hair"
@Would you like to try the expert
ment" asked Miss Archer; "my hair is
SO heavy ! cannot brush it very well my
| self"
Vine was much pleased to be of some
use to such q charming lady, and very
willingly began to brush the long, shin
ing brown tresses.
By and by Miss Archer inquired her
name.
"My name is Vine" Vine replied.
SIS that -FOUR real name, or only short
one?" asked Miss Archer.
az guess it's all the name I've got"
answered Vine; "my mother died when
1 was little wee baby, and father named
me. We lived up in the wineries then,
and 1 'spect he couldn't think of any 9TH
er name"
II think it is very pretty name, only
l never heard it before" said Miss Ar
| cher, "but are not your arms tired?
Yor've brushed long time.
90 no, said Vine, "Tm not the least
bit tired. 1 like to brush hair very
much"
Miss Archer laughed and said she en-
ioyed having it brushed, but it was high
time for her to arrange it to appear
down stairs. Then Vino looked on while
she looped it all up in braids and puts
around her head When this operation
was completed to Miss Archer's satisfac-
ton, and every halr-pin in place, she
opened bureau drawer and took from
it a beautiful scarf; this scarf she present
cd to Vine who could hardly find words
to express her thanks. Why, she had
seen fine ladies who visited at Mrs.
Blacks, wear them but she never dream
ed of having one of her own.
Miss Archer then opened another
drawer and, taking from it small,
black case, said: ~ must show you my
birthday present" -.
She opened the case, and there, resting
on lining of white satin, lay beautiful
silver fork handsomely engraved, and
marked with Miss Areher's name.
Vino drew her breath in hard and
said 80, amt that beauty!
Miss Archer placed the open case on
the bureau. Vine stood looking at it
long time and thought to herself, 80, if
had such a ferkW But suddenly rec
ollecting the bouquet which Barbara had
| told her TO return for, she was obliged TO
tear herself out of sight Of this coveted
treasure. Then Barbara scoldod her Tor
staying SO long; and Vine ran up stairs
again with tho flowers as quickly
as she could. But when she reached
the room Miss Archer had gone away;
however she had left the little black case
still open, on tho bureau. Vino admired
it. contents once more for long time,
but at last she placed the bouquet on
table, and backed reluctantly out of the
room with her eyes fastened on the sill
yer fork.
Mrs. Black met her on the stairs. 81
wont need you any more to-day, Vine,"
she SalQ, 'hNu l. udNC HO Liohoy Soh'CH
lent to pay you; but never mind, l will
attend to that next time
So Vine went slowly down the hill to
the little brown hose IN the hollow.
How dreary and bare seemed the little
room. And at supper the old steel forks
seemed more disagreeable than ever. Be-
sides she had nothing TO add to the fork
money" in the green box. Mrs. Black
WAS often careless about such small mat
tiers.
The next morning Barbara came again
for Vine. She waited on the table as
before, and was again sent up stairs to
wait on Miss Archer.
Vine did not brush her hair this time,
for Miss Archer was preparing for
drive, but she ran for her hat and vail,
and assisted her in many ways. When
Miss Archer was gone Vine began to
nut the room in order. 1t was large
apartment, tastetully furnished. A white
mating on the floor gave 1t cool, fresh
appearance. On the walls hung lew
fine warmly tinted pictures. The long
lace curtains Tapped gently in the sum-
mer breeze, and through the open win
dow canio the faint, delicious perfume OF
many flowers.
But Vine hardly noticed these things,
and scarcely glanced at the profusion OF
costly trinkets scattered lavishly about.
The silver fork in the black case which
stIll lay open on the bureau entirely en-
crossed her attention. 1t seemed rs il
She could not take her eyes from it. For
getting all else, she stood looking at 1t.
Presently she touched it gently, but
quickly drew her hand away again. linen
growing holder she raised 1t from Its
satin resting place, examined II on every
side. and carefully laid down; and, at last,
with rapid glance over her shoulder to-
wards the door, she closed the case and
slipped it altogether into her pocket.
At that moment light shawl, which
has been thrown scross chair, was stir
red by the breeze and fell softly 10 the
floor. Vine started; and uttered faint
cry of horror; but discovered at once
what it was, she recovering herself and
completed the work she had begun, OF
arranging the room, then hurried down
stairs, anxious to get away, unperceived.
from the house. She had just reached
the door with her brown shaker IN her
hand, when Barbara called out IN her
sharp way, "You needn be in such
hurry; Mrs Black will want you pretty
soon"
Vine began to tromble. She fancied
that Barbara locked at her suspiciously-
that she knew what she had concealed in
her pocket, and that she ment to tell Mrs.
Black. Vine did not dare to think what
would happier then. But mechanically,
she hung up her shaker and remained
standing by the door. By and by she
found herself unconsciously clutching
her pocket, and fearing this would attract
Barbara's attention she folded her hands
and was miserable. At last she could en-
dure the suspense no longer, and speaking
in faint, uncertain voice, said, Il Won
der what Mrs. Black wants me fort?
a s'pose its to bring in the refresh