The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1879-01-10
lsaJ,E, TO THE TEST.

me after all, HelenP
"Not bit of danger of that, May,
you are too well got up, thanks to
your humble servant"
"Well, let lie take long, last lin
gering look at myself, and I'm off,
and she stepped to the glass and sur
veyed herself She gave a little laugh.
Ugh how my teeth gleam through
my dusky complexion. We must re-
member that. Go down and bring me
some walnut.juice.
The desired fluid was brought, and
enough partaken of to bring the gleam-
ing to an odor not concciyably observa-
bic through contrast with the general
appearance of the person.
"Thera you are, May, SO transform
ed your own father wouldn't recognize
you. Complexion utterly changed,
eyebrows blackened, hair tucked out of,
sight under widows cap. seedy black
dress and worn cotton gloves. Who
would look for the rich and fattered
heiress in this guise2 Here, let me
adjust your veil. There, you'll do now
for a poor widow of 35, think"
"Well, Helen, I hope that we may
find that Henry Smith has been SIAN
dered," was the rejoinder; " but I
could never promise to marry him with
such doubt unsolved."
"No indeed, May. But go, my
blessings will follow you" she added,
laughing,
Down the back stairs stole the quI-
ct, overty-stricken looking little wo-
man, and gained the street by back
alley. Drawing her rusty Grape veil
closely down over her face, she walked
slowly along till she reached the door
which bore the name of "H. Smith,
Solicitor" Ascending, she stood at
the office door and tapped tinidly.
Come ill.," was the rejoinder from
within.
Timidly and tremblingly May push
ed open the office door Of the man who
but the day previously besought her to
become his wife.
! Henry Smith sat at table which
was strewn with law papers, his feet
thrown over the arm of a chair and Il
half consumed cigar in his teeth.
Casting a glance at the meek looking
| little figure be fore him, which glance
seemed TO assure him that there was no
call for politeness on his part, he leaned
back in his chair and remarked:
| "Well, madame, what do you
wish !"
"Can this be the exquisite Mr.
Smith, who is so courteous to ladies In
society?" thought she. But she said
in a voice that trembled from sup
pressed excitement, Will you please
let me be seated moment, sir? l am
not strong, and the stairs have taken
my breath" =.
"Chairs over by the window there"
was the reply, but he never lowered
his feet from the one on which they
rested, OF laid aside his cigar
After moments pause, i'll which
the pale, dark woman seemed to collect
breath and composure, she said, draw
ing paper from her pocket
eff you please, I called to see you
for charity. My husband was killed
six months ago by a fall from build
ing, and left me penniless. l worked
and earned meagre support for my
self and little ones by copying, until L
was no longer able to get even that to
do. Being i'll with overwork and anx-
iety, I could no longer support my lit
tie family and my children have been
taken to the work-ilouse. People whol
had known how hard [ had worked for
them have helped me little, and SO [
have been saved from going there too.
If I can succeed in keeping along for
few days, until l have a little more
strength, I hope to obtain work, and
be able to take care of myself again.
Here is paper with the names of those
who knew me, and know that am not
an imposter, and who have helped me
IN my illness and poverty"
Not word from Henry Smith all
the while, but he coelly putfed the
cigar.
"Will you help me little from your
abundant meansp' pleaded the poor
woman.
60, dear!" yawned' he -" I wish
beegars could be abolished by statute" "
Then to the woman, " Really, madame,
your story is we'll got up; but SO far
as I am concerned, no beggggars need ap-
ply. If you can't support yourself,
why, go to the work-house. That's the
place for such as you"
"But sir" -.
"My dear woman, there's the door,
can't be bothered any longer
Slowly and sadly the poor woman
wended her way down the stairs and
down the street until the corner shut
her from sight, and then fairly flew un-
til she reached the residence Of one of
wealthiest gentlemen in the city.
Here she rushed in the front door, and
unceremoniously up stairs into the
pretty room she had shortly before left.
Tearing off the widows garments, she
was soon engaged in telling her friend
Helen the result of her mission.
4 "It's just as you told me, Helen,
Henry Smith has no more heart than
block of wood, and no more polite
ness and her cheeks burned as she
thought of his rudeness. "And to