Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1877-11-01

them, if nothing else, she said, try
ing to seem quite cool and gay, tkougl
her heart Auttered with anxiety a
she arranged her little. stock in th'
parlor.
In the bay window was her flower
stand, where the white azaleas, re,
geraniums, and gay nasturtimu
seemed to have bloomed their lovli
est to help the gentle mistress wh'
had tended them so faithfully ever
when misfo1tune's frost had nippet
her own bright roses. Overhead
swung a pair of canarias in their gar
landed cage singing with all thel
might, as it, like the London 'prentic
boys in old times they cried, 'Wha
do you lack Come buy, come bay !!
On long table in the middle of the
room a dozen delicate caps and heac
dresses were sat forth. On another
lay garlanls of French flowers bough'
for pretty Clara's own adornment.-
Several dainty ball dresses, imported
tor the gay winter she had expected
to pass, hung over chairs and couch
also a velvet mantle Mrs. Barlow
wished to sell.
My dear girl, how are you, anG
how is mamma ? Now, this is charm,
ing. Such a capital idea, and just
what is needed a quiet place, where
one can come and be made pretty
without all the worlds knowing how
we DO it; and greeting Clara more
cordially than of old, .he good lady
trottel about, admiring everything,
inst as she used to do when she visited
the girl in the former home to see and
exclaim over any fresh arrival Of Par.
is finerv.
Ill take this mantle off your hands
with pleasure, for | intended to i'm.
port one and this saves 50 much troub.
lie. Put it up for me, dear, at the
price mamma paid for it, not a cent
less, because it has never been worn,
and I've no duties to pay on it; it is 8
good bargain for me-
Then before Clara could thank her
she turned to the head gear and fell
into raptures over a delicate affair, al
blonde and forget-mc-nots.
Such sweet thing | must have
1t before any one else snaps it up. Try
it on, love, and give it a touch if i
doesn' fit.
Clara knew it would be in vain tt
demonstrate, for Mrs. Tower had not
a particle Of taste, and insisted OF
wearing blue. with the complexion o
a lobster. On it went, and even the
wearer could not fail to see that some
thing was amiss.
It's not the fault Of the cap, dear
| always was a fright, and my dread
ful color spoils whatever | put on, 81
| have things handsome, and give "
my attempt at beauty, she said shak
ing her head at herself in the glass
You need not do that, and III show
you what | mean, if you will give mt
leave, for with your fine figure ant
eyes, you cant help being an elegan
woman. See, now, how I'll make this
even this cap becoming, and Clar;
laid the delicate flowers among th'
blonde behind, where the effect wa
unmarried by the over-red cheeks, ant
nothing but soft ruche lay over th
dark hair in front.
There, isn't that bettlr?' she aske,
with her own blooming face so full 0
interest it was a pleasure to see hel
Infinitely better, really becoming
and Just what | want with my silver
grey satin. Dear me, what thin,
taste is Aud Mrs. Tower regarded
herself with feminine satisfaction il
her really fine eyes.
Here a new arrival interrupte,
them, and Clara went to meet severa
girls belonging to what had late
been her own set. The young ladie
did not quite know how to behave, 70
though it seemed quite nltural to b
talking over matters of dress wit
Clara, there was an air Of proud hu
mility about her that made them fee
i'll at ease, till Nellie, lively, warm
hearted creature, broke the ice by say
ing, with a little quiver in her voice
It's not us, girls; we've either got t.
laugh or cry, and l think on the Who'll
it would be best for all parties t