The Red Cloud chief., 1877-09-06
CARRIES SACRIFICE.
BY T.. q. J.

iIcie, pet, lniS III Duy you as line a
rig as the best o EMIL hev on an nary
gal that1l show a prettier face over a
new gown; hey, wife,"
The old farmer rang Down a broad
piece Of gold on the kitchen table as he
spoke, and turned to his wife with a
fond, proud smile.
She looked up from her Christmas
cookies with an answering light in her
eyes, but said half chidingly,-
Come, father, don't make her vain"
Carrie sprang from her perch on the
arm of the Old-fashiOned settle, and
clasping her father round the neck, half
smothered him with kisses then catch
ing up the shining coin. she danced up
and down the kitchen till her bright
curls were in a simmer of light. The
old man watched her with fond de-
light, but the prudent mother said
sharply
"Why. Carrie, I'm surprised to see you
act so foolish"
Carrie sat down ObedientIy, the gold
clasped tight in her hand, her blue eyes
d ancing with happy expectation. In a
moment she sprang up again.
Mother" she exclaimed, may l go
and get t"
Get what, child?"
"Oh you know, mother; the blue silk
the n we looked at, and the white
gloves"
OF course the mother knew, and was
almost as much pleased as her daught-
er; but she answered gravely enough
"Well, | s'pose SO Carrie, and call at
Miss Hunts and tell her to come round
tomorrow. and fit the dress for you:
idaut, child, don't be so proud of your
: i%us;les, it's a SIM"
n. VI. mother, I'm not proud. I'm only
:" laughed Carrie, winding her
. " hite '~fascinator' round her head. and
fdancing eff in the direction of the dry
goods establishment, in whose window
the long coveted blue silk was display
ed.
q There was to be.a grand ball on
. Christmas night, and of III Carrie
I had received an invitation, as she was
Ia fayorite in Newton, ana any party
was considered dull without her merry
Eace.
If ] could only get that silk. mother
Size had said; and this wish became
doubiy dear after Lu Hawley had said
SO tantalizingly.-
:, Its a pity, Carrie. you can't have
Z pretty things, when they becomeyou sc
we'll"
To tell the truth. both Lu and Carrie
were in love with a rising young law.
: yer, but neither would have admitted
It. illus spicy remark was vented or
eler rival. probably because Carrie had
received the invitation she SO much ex
pected from the wealthy and handsome
Fred Cameron, who was considered
quite a catch.
-re neared the store her hear,
gan 10 palpitate SO joyously that sht
odd scarcely get her breath.
What is the price of that silk and the
gloves 2" she asked, timidly stepplDgin
TO the store.
twenty-five dollars miss land cheap
er than dirt" replied the clerk.
Twenty-Five dollars, just the amour,
Sher money.
Il think l will take" she began
i tut an eager hand plucked her sleeve
lnd turning, she met a wan face look
fng pleadingly out from an old tatteret
hood.
please. miss, l never begged before
nut help my poor mother; they're turn
n her out in the street, and poor faith
Isl dyin'. the doctor says"
Fhe trembling. plalntive voice Wen
Earrie's heart like a knife.
What can 1 do?-how can l hell
va" she asked.
ph, miss, it's twenty-five dollars We
oN-rent, you know; and poor mother
ca1pay it Please help her."
CTie closed her fingers over the golt
In " hand, and glanced toward the
Glue &k with a swelling heart.
Seeing her hesitation, the clerk came
"Sant and took the child by the Shout
der.
10 out" he said rOpoh'-%.and dom
Dom