The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-10-13

| and sensible remark the little girl fell
asleep with eyelsshes suspiciously wet
But next day when they met in the
workroom, Nat, having slept off his an
noyance and forgotten the awkwardness
of the night before, was as leasant and
kind as ever, and, seeing Cora so fresh
and pretty and graceful, was subjugated
anew, in spite of threadbare cuffs and
threatening elbows. With Cora the
wound was deeper and not so easy to
heal. Her pride had been keenly stung
and something more than a pleasant
greeting would be needed to heal it. She
was not sorry, therefore, when message
from the showroom demanding her pres
ence there took her out of Mats vicinity.
In few moments she found herself
explaining the management of the ma
chine to a lady whose sweetface and gen.
tie manners won her heart almost imme-
diately. She was in widows mourning,
though very young, and after listening
for nearly an hour to Cora's instructions
and explanation she ordered a machine
sent to her residence, and requested at
the same time that an operator should
come with it. 81 shall be glad" she
said finally, eff you will send me this
young lady, who has been extremely
obliging and patient with me, and who
seems to know her business we'll"
The agent smiled ready assent and
the bargain was concluded.
Mrs. Marsh was a widow-young, child
less and rich. She had pretty little
house in the pleasantest part of the city,
and in it she lived with her brother, a
physician, but few years older than
herself. Except for the fact of her be-
reavement she was contented enough,
but the sudden loss of husband whom
she really loved had saddened life other
wise without a cloud.
Deprived of the greatest source of hap
! piness for herself, she determined to de-
vote her life to efforts for the happiness
of others, and to this end she made her
house as comfortable and charming as a
house could be, thus providing remark
ably pleasant home for her bachelor
brother. With view to his ultimate
well-being, Mrs. Marsh also cultivated an
intimacy with certain Miss Sauls, who,
being an heiress of good family, moder.
ately good-looking and immoderately
religious, she felt sure would be suitable
match for the rising young doctor. Miss
Sauls was nothing 10th, for Morton Clay
was handsome enough to attract any
woman, and, not being in the least a
saint, was, of course, eligible for CONVEX
sion at any time.
| Mrs. Marsh took violent interest in a
mission school, and this interest soon
spread to the families of the poor chill
dren who attended it. Here she found
ample scope for the exercise of her liber-
atty and kindness, for everybody needed
clothing, and, determined to supply at
least one want, she purchased sewing
machine, and hired an operator, that
there might be no obstacle to her bounty.
Miss Sauls shared in the good work to the
extent of drilling the small fry in their
catechism, but she hated plain sewing,
so Mrs. Marsh purchased and cut out gar
ments for Cora to make up.
Thus it was that the little sewing-ma-
chine girl found herself installed in Mrs
Marsh's cheerful sitting room, where a
new and very pleasant phase of life be-
gan for her. From half-past eight till
twelve she wrought merrily on the char
..
ting in and out, directing her, and never
treating her like hireling, and maj este
Miss Sauls coming every day to spend
most of her time with her friend. Then
came dainty luncheon in the small, Ell.
egant diningroom, with Mrs. Marsh at
the head of the table, herself at the side,
Miss Sauls opposite, and sometimes, but
not always, the doctor at the foot. The
conversation was always lively and,
though not daring to talk much herself,
Cora delighted to listen. The doctor was
always full of interesting items from the
outer world where his life was spent,
and the ladies generally had some
schemes of their own to submit to his
approval.
Cora did heartily wish that she need
not have been quite so shabby, her old
batiste now in its third summer looking
stringier than ever in contrast with the
fresh lawns and beautiful poplins of
Miss Sauls. However, being nobody but
the seamstress, really, she took refuge in
the belief that she was not much noticed,
and bore her cross as patiently as she
could.
One day at luncheon Mrs. Marsh tri-
umphantly announced to her brother
that an entertainment they had been
preparing for the benefit of the mission
was likely to be a success.
1.-THE tickets sell rapidly" She said,
among the church people, and unless
something very unforeseen occurs l think
we shall clear enough to refit the school
room for next winter"
"That Is WE'LL" replied the doctor,
quietly; land how does Miss Sauls re-
gard it by this time? More favorably
than at first, hope" and he looked at
the young lady of that name, who was
primly devouring scallops on his left
hand.
Miss Sauls did not sympathize much
with anything that partook of a theatric.
al nature, but so far as the tableaux rep.
resented were scenes from the Scriptures
she would cheerfully assist as much as
she could-upon other subjects she felt
little ability. She did not really approve
of entertainments, and only gave counte.
nance to this one because her friend had
it so much at heart Under his silky
mustache the doctor INDUCED in quiet
smile, and turning to Cora he said:
care you fond of tableaux, Miss
Waylie, or do you consider them too
I ~ IL E. IL