South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-08-16

again, saying. "You are just the sweet
est fairy that ever was seen on this plat
form, until the tears filled Chris eyes.
she was so full OF joy. and with great
sob she started up TO find herself in tile
little low chamber with sloping ceiling,
the vision and the dress disappeared,
and only the memory Of the bright dream
left. But looking out TO the silent moon
and the still night. Chris sat and thought,
until the perfume of the wonderful plant
stole into her soul, and she prayed the
loving Master that. however plain the
dress she must wear in earthly eyes, in
His sight it might be fair irdeed.
when shall go to look for my bonny
calico. mother?' she asked in the morn
ing. Il must begin it soon.''
do You think you can be satisfied,
Chl is?"
And such an anxious question as it
was. The mother had lain awake, too,
that night.
'sOf course can, mother. It's me
not my dress, people must admire for
once"
Here is the money, then. 1 have
saved it as could
Chris thought so when her pocket was
weighed down with the nickels. But
she realized, too, what the saving" of
her mother had been.
Liz wanted to 60, 20 her sister waited
to comb the tangled hair and find the
lost hat before starting out. throwing
back kisses to Cora and baby.
Il was afraid Chris would be broken.
hearted quite" said the mother. fondly !;
"but L do believe she's the best girl ever
q mother had"
And. meanwhile, up in a great block
OF stores Chris and Liz were turning
over the many piles ofprints, selecting
first one and then another, until fairly
bewildered with 90 many.
Il think III have this" said Chris q
last. choosing q white ground with a
delicate sprig Of black.
''Oh, Chris, take this. See, it's al
most the same but It's blue, and so
pretty"
"But / like this better. dear
'Oh, no; this Is SO lovely"
Now, Liz was only harumscarum
girl Of eleven. and the black did seem
the pretticst; but Chris thought it did
not matter SO much as pleasing her sis.
ter. SO Liz was gratified, the little bun
, die made up, and they went out.
They were very busy days that fol-
lowed. The dress got along but slowly
for lessons and baby must have frs,
place, OF course.
1t was almost examination day, and
Chris. had stopped one night where she
could have the quiet school room to 90
over the topics of that long literature
| that was to be the final recitation Of the
seniors, when she heard Fan Ellis voice
II do wish some person would go over
these topics with me. never can re
cite unless l go over them once out loud
Won't some one hear me2"
But the girls all had too much bust.
ness of their own, and they realized
what hearing Fan, the Ounce Of tie class
would be. Chris, saw her coming out
of the dressing room with tears on heI
cheeks. That touched her.
IVY hat is it, Fan? can / help your
she asked from her corner.
Fan turned. "l5 that yon. Chris? |
want to go over my topics with some
one, and the girls are too busy. They
have time enough for me when I have {
treat"
"Ill hear yon, Fan
30, Chris, that's good When?"
NOW. and here" was tho reply.
1t was almost dark when the two
girls left the school building, and th,
topics only two-thirds through then.
Well finish tomorrow night" sale
Chris.
THANK you, Chris; never studied
so hard before, but you see my father /.
TO be here, and he says If do we'll hC
will give me n watch aud chain, but i
not. can not have one for two years.
II hope yon will" oaid Chris heartily
"and | guess you will too" But she
wondered about her own lesson until sh,
found that helping to fix il in Fan,
mind had been better for herself than
any amount OF study, and 50 she was
fully repaid.
It was the night before tho great day
and Chris came home late TO find The
dress still unfinished Baby had beer
sick all day and tic mother looked pale
and anxious.
"Only one more ruiIlc for the over.
skirt dear" but Chris knew that 10 wa.
three hours oc hard work, and 10 was al
ready nearly Q o'clock She went up C
| her little .OOm moment and then came
! back
LET nc Try it all on. mother" sht
said then; "thc children want 90 sec II
before they 20 20 bed - and after al
had been duly admired. she said
There is enough on it now, mother and
well hang IL mp Gil morning. when II
como out like q queen, see if don't.
but you wanted another ruftle. dear
81 did--but 10 not, lenses change
| You see, and 50 must moods. VOL
have n good sleep. and baby II be al
right in the morning. So that's oil -
and the look OF glad relief chat came %
the tired mothers face was ample re.
ward for the girls self-deniaI.