Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-09-20

VI ctlC u anu " liz ldISS.
Then you meet some who are
true?"
Yes, indeed; Judge Agate's wife.
who always seemed to me so proud and
distant, came up to me with a glowing
face and fairly congratulated me- She
did 1t like lady, too, and like a friend
There was nothing patronizing about
her. And there We're several others to
whom know my position makes no
difference. They prize me for what l
am. Yet what price to pay for learn
ing the value of true friendship" added
Laura, with deep sigh.
I met Aggie Doyle to-day, and she
wouldn't speak to me" said Alice, Lau-
ra's sister, who had come into the room
and overheard the last remark. "Why
shouldn't she speak to me, [ wonder"
Because your sister is clerk in her
fathers store" said Laura, somewhat
bitterly.
That's no reason why she should
treat me So" the child replied.
"Of course it is not; nor is it any
reason why Lizzie, her eldest sister,
should utterly ignore me. [ always
liked her so much, too. But to-day she
came into the store and passed me with
such a sweeping glance, after had pre-
pared a smile and a welcome for her
Mr.. Doyle has been so kind since papa's
death that | looked for better treatment
from Lizzie. That, [ confess, has wound
! ed me; and [ shall have to meet her so
Oftenl But, never mind. | must re-
member my place" she added, rather
bitterly. Il have to work for my liv-
ing, now but L oiH be proud of it!
Good-by, old life of lazy ease! Good
by, old worthless friends. Your cold
ness cannot hurt the real me: it is only
the worthless young lady of fashion
who feels it, and she is slowly departing
this life"
So saying she sat down gaiIy to the
tea-table, and soon forgot ali about the
toll and the 8lights.of the day.
Have you filled out all your invita-
tons 2" asked Lizzie's eldest brother,
one Of the firm Of Doyle & Co., some
days after the preceding conversation
took place.
Lizzie was arranging a hundred or
more tiny, cream-colored envelopes,
which she tied together with some pref
/ ty, bright-hued ribbon.
AZ believe 50" she replied, with a
smile. have asked every young lady
of my acquaintance, and | think our
! party will be the finest Of the season, if
papa viii only have the carpets taken
up in the west rooms and the floors
chalked. Rutger will do them for fifty
dollars, and you have no idea how beau
/ tifully he works"
| Il think father will not refuse you
that" her brother replied. CPL speak
to him about it."
Oh, thank you, AL Then I'm sure
he will have it done. [ have asked him
for so many things that [ was almost
afraid to ask for more"
"Bythe-by, have you invited Miss
Laura Stanley?" her brother asked, as
he was going out
of course mott" said Lizzie, with as
sured emphasis.
"ofcqurse not? And pray, why not "
he asked, standing still.
"Why, Al, what an idea! She wouldn't
| eXpectit. Our p-girl-father's clerk,
| wouldn't have her for the world!
Then, if you are sure she wouldn't
come, you might have sent her an invi-
tatiOn out of compliment" her brother
replied
. don't consider her an acquain-
lance, said Lizzie, loGtily; and Al walked
out Of the room with an abrupt shrug OF
the shoulders.
Presently her father camo in.
Lizzie" he said, q particularly wish
/ N-oI fo n+o NF
Laura Stanley"
Papa, you don'tmeanit!" exclaimed
Lizzie, chagrined.
Indeed, do mean it. What! slight
the daughter of one Of my most cher
ished friends, because she has come
down in the world in d money point OF
view? [ should d6spise myself for it. .
But, papa, she won't come" said
Lizzie.
Never mind whether she will come
or not. Write an invitation [ will
take it to her"
Lizzie sat down, pale and angry, to
write the note. After all her Boosting
of having "cut the SANKEY'S. it was
very hard to be obliged to invite Laura.
Her cheeks grew hot, as she indited
the polite little missive, while she re
membeTed the many times she had
/ openly ignored her to whom it was adj
dressed. She would have disobeyed
had she dared-would even have with
held the note after it was written, had
her father not stood by to take it him
self. 1t was indeed humiliating.
Later, her brother Al came to her.
. should like an invitation, Lizzie
for young lady of my acquaintance,
he said, in q quiet voice.
"Who IS she?,'
The young lady whom I have asked
to be my wife" he said smiling.
ooh, Al, Of course you shall have it!
| am glad to have Il sister. Will
she be sure to come? I'm sure I can't
think of anybody" And then she
1 paused, puzzled at his shrewd smile.
DO [ know herr" she asked.
4" You used to-" he answered 1T is
Miss Laura Stanleyu'
! "Oh, Al"
She sank down, covering her face with
her hands, Z" was afraid She might feel
the slight so keenly," he said softly,
Il that l hurried matters little. SoyOu
/ HGGu iioI DS dlGdlu HOW tIldI she VIII IOl
come. VIII you not prepare an invita-
tion?"
q have. Papa has carried it to her.
But oh, Al, a clerk!'
A noble woman" said her brother
'who dares face the sneers of her set,
and take an honest position for the sake
of those who are dependent upon her,
rather than whine about her former dig
nifty, and live upon charity I wish
there were more like her"
So Lizzie was forced, for once in her