The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-10-23

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"Nor I, with hair all in cr,mpsw de-
clared Belle.
"And so is mine," added Lillian, put
ting her hands up to her head. ~ can't
60 looking like such a fright"
"Then suppose nothing remains but
for me to turn porter az we'll as stove
polisher!" said Amy, with laugh.
"Thanks to my novel apron my dress has
not been soiled at all, and don't think
that my appearance IS calculated to shock
anyone's refined sensibilities."
And with another laugh at the express
sion Of dismay on the faces of her moth
er and sisters, she tripped away up stairs,
blissfully unconscious OF the fact that
there was a slight dab of black on one
side Of her nose, where she had lnadvert-
emily touched it with her finger while
engaged at her late task. Il
Opening the door she found herself
face to face with handsome and stylish
young man, on the sunny side Of thirty,
whom she knew by sight, having noticed
him at one or two of the evening parties
which she had attended, although they
had not as yet been formally introduced
to each other.
But Harvey Atwood was evidently
quite familiar with the pretty face OF
Mrs. Atwood's youngest daughter, and
dotted his hat with his best bow.
~ am addressing Miss Cartwright, l
believe7"
zone of them, sir" Amy responded,
with smile.
II am deputed by my uncle, Mr.. San
ford, to examine tins house, which he has
some thoughts of purchasing. Can I see
it this morDing2'
~ guess so; step in the parlor for mo.
ment, if you please
And closing the door upon him. Amy
went down stairs to inform her mother of
the advent.
"Harvey Atwood2 Horrors!'' Belle ex.
claimed, actually turning pale. "The very
last person that we would want
to have catch us in such q plight
And had made my calculations on get
ting an introduction to him at the next
party!" she added, with sob.
We'll, Amy, you will have to show
him around the house, Tor it would take
me an hour to make myself presentable,' ~
said Lillian. "Only keep your hands
out Of sight as much as possible, and for
goodness sake don't breathe word
about our doing the homework! If we
manage the matter discreetly, we may be
able to sustain some position in society
yet"
''Oh, rubbish2" was Amy's uncompro.
missing comment, as she went back to the
parlor whence, after giving the others
time to slip softly up to their rooms, she
proceeded to show her visitor over the
house.
Mr.. Atwood inspected the premises
with the air If a connoisseur, but found
plenty of time meanwhile, for the study
OF the pretty face beside him.
That little dab IF black on her nose
did not escape his attention, but he was
puzzled as bow to account for it, for
awhile.
But when he had ''done" the upper
part of the house, he was guided by his
conductress at last into the neat kitchen.
Hc cast we'll satisfied glance around,
for he was great lover of order, and
failing to detect the presence Of a SER
want anywhere, was about to make some
remark wien a sudden look OF intelli-
gence fitted across his handsome face.
He glanced from the wcll-polished
range to the little spot on his pretty
companions nose, then down at the fold
ed hands, yet red with the mornings
work, and then, watching favorable
opportunity, he treated himself to a
prolonged look at the bright, resolute
face.
A very pleasant expression came over
his own after that, and his department
toward her was as deferential and cour
tcous as he could have accorded to any
court beauty, arrayed IN all the para
phernalia Of fashionable grandure; so
that Amy, blissfully unconscious Of how
she had betrayed herself, felt very de-
llghtful thrill at her heart during Mr..
Atwood's short visit, and an unaccount-
able feeling of disappointment when he
turned at last to 60.
II am much obliged to you, Miss
Cartwright, tor your kindly accommoda-
tion." he SAID. II have no doubt that
the house will suit my uncle; but if it
should not, Z; can guarantee purchaser
elsewhere. And l hope that our &C.
quaintance, thus informally but pleasant
ly begun, may continue. Good day"
and lifting his hat he turned away, leav
ing Amy, rosy and bewildered, to gaze
after him, with multitude of unaccount-
able emotions stirring in her breast.
Meanwhile, Harvey walked away, with
a face as animated as if he had suddenly
come into possession of large fortune.
"Sweet indeed are the uses of adver.
slty, when it brings out such genuine
worth as that! Any young lady who can
| bear such severe and sudden reverses 80
bravely, and can prove equal to the
emergency, even to the matter of black
ing range, is the right kind Of wife
for me. They must DO dreadfully re-
duced, poor things! but it has made a
heroine out of one member of the family.
| will keep my eye on that little house
hold fairy-the darling!"
"Are you particularly DESTROYS about
buying the house, uncle2" Harvey asked
when he had made bis report.
"Well l don't know. Why do you
ask2" replied the old gentleman.
Because I would like t., purchase it.
us ABOUT tlme was thinking OF getting
settled in life, you know; and after I
have secured the house will look about
for some one to put in it. What do you
say9"
"Just a. you please" Mr.. Sanford re-
piled, and Harvey went away looking as
if he was pleased exceedingly.
The next day he called again at Mrs.
Cartwrght's to inform them that his
uncle had relinquished his intention in
favor of another purchaser who would
give thousand dollars more than the
price asked. He was received this time
by Mrs. Cartwright and her two Older
daughters, whose robes Of conventional
black had abated nothing from the FASH
ionable style in their make up whose
deeply bordered handkerchief were re-
dolent of perfume, and whose light hair
was arranged in bewildered complica-
ton of putfs, braids and crimps-but
ANY did not appear.