The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1878-08-08
THE SEWING GIRL.

Al ~ hJA4 " AAM NAAGAa
"That viii do-yes, it is charming
quite the right style; do you not think
so, mammal 1 don't believe Madame
Huntley could have made it better, "
said Lida Sterling, exuldngly, as she
examined a dress which was just relin-
quished by pale, gentle, silent girl,
busily stitching at the other end Of the
apartment.
Mrs. Sterling looked critically at the
robe.
''Yes, it is well-yei y fair indeed, and
Miss johnson has understood my in
structions; but, still, of course she could
not have done it without them"
81 never knew that my gentle, high
bred mother was a nlodiste," said Clin-
ton Sterling, who had just entered the
room, without, perhaps, lawful permis-
sion.
%Really, Clinton, how you DO startle
onel And your father is coming too.
Really, I shau be obliged TO forbid the
morning rooms to all male cOmers." " re-
turned the mother, balf-reprOvingly,
half-proudly, regarding her handsome
and favOrite son.
'My dear mother, The snow is falling
thiekly, the wind blows like a monster
organ in rage, and the fire IN the IL
brary smokes, and the drawing-room is
in agouies Of dissolution, or revival, as
the case may be. You really can not
send ne away. 1t is cruelty to ami
mails"
The lady shook her head. Sic fam
cied she had detected glances Of admi-
ration bent on thesimply-attired dress
maker, which she could i'll brook from
any one in the presence Of Lida's queen
ly beauty.
Or course, there could be no rivalr,
in this case; but if Clinton thought the
fgirl worth looking at, there might be
danger ahead.
/ And Mrs. Sterling was a f;rr-seeing
pilot.
"Have you nearly finished, Miss
JOhnsonY" she asked.
81 will be as quick as possible,
ua'am," said the girl, camly, more
especially as 1 wish to get home to a
sick mother"
Mrs. Sterling pushed the lamp nearer
to the wOrkwOman, and then she, her
husband. son, and daughter drew near
the Gre, to cIat over the mornings ex.
Pected festivities.
''It's all very. pleasant, getting up
these birthday presents" remarked
Clinton, 'Dut often think we arc, as
a family, sadly deficient in near rela-
tives to share them with us. We are
peculiarly isolated in that respect" he
continued, musinglY. DO you know,
L often recall a remembrance of child
hood in the shape of a fair aunt, not
very unlike our Ida, and a little child,
who was even more attractive to my
boyish fancy. She was so sweet, so
gentle and girlish in every childish
way"
Mr.. Sterling cleared his throat. His
wife frowned glOOmiIy.
"Better forget all such nonsense,
Clinton; your aunt was not one of US.
She eXiled herself from her family, and
deserves no thought or regret at our
hands, she said.
"ind why not, mother? She did not
look like one to commit any evil deed.
She seemed purity and sweetness it.
self" he said, thOughtfully, his eyes
still fixed on the fair, wan face Of the
dressmaker, whose down cast eyes dis
played to the full, their long, thick
lashes.
mo, loy-no. She did but marry
beneath herself, interrupted his father,
hoarselY. alt was venial error, and
L have often repented 1 did not bring
her to my home, when she was at last
left a widow. But We were not so rich
then as we are now, and your mother
feared the consequences on our rising
fortunes and your sisters future pros
poets, so L sent her a present, poor
shingl and never heard Of her more"
''You do not know whether she is
living or dead2" saiO Clinton, u aston
shment.
Ills father was fail to nod assent.
81 have no doubt she went abroad, rs
We advised" nut in Mrs. Sterling.
Every likely she is dead. and her
daughter married by this time. Bless
me, Miss Johnson, how you made me
start! Have you finished, that you
dropped the scissors in such a hurry,
ard almost oYerset your chairY"
'.Yes, madam, have finished; and, !
if you please, will go home at once"
returned the girl, timidly.
"It is a dreadful night. Has she far |
to 60? Can she not remain here, Eliz- |
abeth?" asked Mr. Sterling Of his wife
mo, no, please, 1 must return to
my mother. DO not mind" said the
girl, anxiUusly.
every well, then; viii pay you at
once"
And Mrs. Sterling, eagerly TO get her
dangerous inmate ont of the way, drew
out her purse, and handed Miss John
son her scanty dole.
sit is very cheap, certainly. Upon
my word, I believe Madame Huntley