The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-05-17

tune was made in the latest style. After
supper she sang and played several FASH
iOnable songs, with William standing be.
side her to turn over the music leaves. II
was very pleasant, he thought, to see q
girl with rings on her white hands, and
without the tell-tale roughness ON the left
e-finger.
1t was the old, old story. After that
evening, spent at Gloucester Ledge, Will
Jams visit to George street grew rarer and
rarer; and little Fanny dropped visibly.
1t is not so very hard for q woman to bear
up under life's burdens while she has the
strong prop of mans love to lean upon.
But if the prop breaks, it is well for her
if the burden do not crush her altogether
Fanny, however, was not without q Ger.
tain quiet fortitude. She felt that her prop
was giving away, and nervcd herself to dc
Fanny" said Mrs. Kennaway, one
evening as the young dressmaker sal
sewing in her old window.seat. "you
are not looking we'll, my child; wish
William would come and take you out.
He hasn't been here very often lately,
has he?"
"No, mother, not very often"
81 think you are working to hard, u
continued the poor woman, signing. al
get we'll very slowly, Fanny; and the beef
tea and port wine cost a great deal. I've
made up my mind, child, to write to my
brother at last"
"But, mother, you'll be dreadfully dis.
tressed if he doesn't answer. And YOU
have often said that he would never for.
give you for marrying poor father"
"1've been a widow for nearly five
years, Fanny. Surely Stephen can bury
the old grievance in my husbands grave!'
You know best, mother. But father
always spoke of him as hard man,
Well, at any rate, shall make an at.
out of it, Fanny. I believe it is the RICH,
thing to do"
Fanny held her peace, but she had little
hope that her Uncle Fenwick would reply
to his sisters letter. She knew that he
was rich city merchant several years
older than her mother, but she had never
seen him, and had founded her opinion OF
his character solely on her fathers dis
like to him. The late Mr.. Kennaway had
been one OF those men who have natural
turn for borrowing money, and are gener
ally severe on the friends who refuse tC
lend. Perhaps Mrs. Kennaway had taker
some pains to hide the fathers faults from
the child's eyes, for Fanny had never dis
covered them.
"Now, Fanny" said honest Mrs
Marks, bouncing into the little room, ito
mOrrow's Saturday, and you are going tc
have q whole holiday. Everything's
planned, so you may leave off shaking
your head. Mary Baker has promised t.
come and sit with your mother. MY man
and / have arranged to take you right of
to Durrant Farm, where my sister lives
Mrs. Marks and her husband were the
Kennaway's next.door neighbors. They
were a childlcss couple. and, instead Of
wasting their affections on dogs and par
rots, shev looked out for young people
VINO needed love and sympathy. Fanny
had no ldea tney knew all about her sor-
row. She did not reassze how easy it is
for shrewd eyes to read the signs of sick
heart.
Early the next morning hired cAaise
ratified out of George street, containing
Fanny and her two friends. of course il
could not be quite q perfect holiday with
out William; but the girl enjoyed fresh
air and rest, and was grateful for kind
ness. 1t was long drive, and when they
reached the farm house, Mrs. Marks de-
clared that Fanny had picked up wonder
fully. A day or two in the country, sht
said, would put q little color into those
pale cheeks, and brighten the eyes tina
were dull with watching and working
All, poor Fanny!
Durrant Farm stands upon the outskirt.
of wood, which has always been favor
tie haunt with picnic parties. The Fate.
had decreed that the Derrys should give ,
picnic that day; it was early in Septem
Der, and Ownsfolk wanted to make tn,
most of the waning summer Miss JUL.
Derry wore an entirely new costume
bought for the occasion, and a charmin,
rustic hat adorned with peoples, ant
wheat-ears. 1t was very agreeable to b,
admired, even by q mere merchant.
clerk, and she lavished her sweetest smile.
on William Parr.
Arm in arm the pair strolled away from
the rest of the party. He talked non
sense, and she laughed and listened, anl
led him on, without thought beyond thu
hours amusement. She was wiser in tn,
worlds ways than foolish William, who's,
vanity had been tickled until he really be
lieved that he had made conquest. 81,
was bending down to his companion, will
flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, whel
turn in the path suddenly brought then
face to face with Mrs. Marks and Fanny
Kennaway.
Even then things might have turnet
out we'll, If William had only been tru,
to himself. But there was Fanny in
her shabby, everyday gown, and the bon
net that had gone completely out of fash.
ion; and there was the superb Julia
hanging on PaTr's arm, aud quizzing hi,
betrothed with naughty eyes. The wors
part of the young mans nature came up
permost ct that moment. He gave on,
quick glance atFanny. and then swepton
without besto wingeve how Of rec0gni
ton on the little dressmaker.
WE'LL" said Mrs. Marks, drawing ,
long breath, only wonder that the cart
don't open and swallow him up!''
Fanny took her lovers desertion in
very quiet way. She knew that the ent
had come, and did not try to get any com
fort out of dead hope. When the fir,
has gone out, she is wise woman VIII,
sets herself to rake away the ashes, and
clean out the crate, even when sh,
knows her, hearth.stone will be cold fo
many year afterward. Our little dress
maker went on sewing and shipping .
usual, saying never . word about he
trouble.
Meanwhile the household burdens wer
lightenod. Mr.. Fenwick wrote kind re
ply tn his sisters letter. and inclosed
sum large enough to supply her with al
that she required. "You can get your
self new gown now, Fanny, !" said he
mother, cheerfully. 1t has made m.
heart ache to Sc You wearing that OLE
gray thing. I like my girl to be vel
dressed"
Brave Fannyi If sick heart whis
pered that 1t didn't matter what she wor,
nowadays, she never needed the voice
She chose the material with q much car,
. Il It had been the stuff for her we'd
ding dress, and Get about making Il mn Il
her best style. When II was hnished
Mrs. Marks came in, and resolutely
cleared away the signs Of work, and the;