Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-10-19

sigh. 'You had better set about 1t
right away then, Amy; though how you
are going to manage it without running
your dress I'm sure I don't see."
"Just wait u minute and I'll enlighten
you, mother" was Any's reply: and, first
plnning her dress around her in true do
mestic style, she next tished up from the
ironing basket, slowed away in the cor
ncr OF the closet, what had once served
as an ironing sheet, but was scorched
and otherwise defaced, and wrapped that
around her in thoroughly scientific
manner, leaving only the piquant reso-
lutte face and pretty plump arms Wis
IDLE.
"Now I am girded and guarded and
ready for the fray!" she exclaimed gaily ;
"you girls and mother can retire in digni-
fed state up stairs, until I summon you
to witness the result ef my labors If
old Mr.. Sanford doesn't buy this house it
shall not be the ranges fault MOI mine.
And the young face bent gravely over
her task, as Mrs. Cartwrig ht and her other
daughters beat willing retreat to more
aristocratic regions.
Fortunately for Amy, directions how
to use the backing were pasted on the
outside of the small package that con-
tanned it, and after some little perplexity
| and trepidation, she was at last fairly
launched upon tins new enterprise, and
scrubbed away with undiminished alac-
rity and cheerfulness, until the range
was finished, and she could see her pretty
face in any part of its polished surface.
| When everything had been once more
restored to order, Amy, quite elated at
her success, summoned her mother and
sisters to behold her handiwork While
the trio were contemplating it and con-
graduating themselves at the same time
that the dreaded Rubicon was passed
without their being compelled to soil
their dainty fingers, decided peal sound
ed at the door-bell above.
'Mercyw exclaimed Mrs. Cartwright
with start. Who can it be at this IN
heard-ef-hour? Girls, some of you must
go to the door! am not fit to be seen in
this dishabille."
"Nor I, with hair all in crlmps" de-
clared Belle
"And so is mine," added Lillian, put
ting her hands up to her head. 81 can't
go looking like such fright"
''Then suppose nothing remains out
for me to turn porter as 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."
AM with ,o, 1o,,rb r. ~, ~ ox,,,r,c
sion Of dismay on the faces of her moth
or and sisters, she tripped away up stairs,
blisstully unconscious of the fact that
there was slight dab of black on one
side of her nose, where she had lnadvert-
entity touched it with her finger while
engaged at her late task.
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 vet 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.
81 am addressing Miss Cartwright,
| believer
zone Of them, sir" Amy responded,
with smile.
II am deputed by my uncle, Mr.. San
ford, to examine this house, which he has
some thoughts of purchasing Can I see
it this morning?'
II guess so; step in the parlor for a mo-
ment, if you please
And closing the door upon him, Amy
went down stairs to inform her mother of
the advent.
"Harvey Atwood? Horrors!' Belle ex-
claimed, actually turning pale. ''The very
last person that we would want
TO nave catch rs in such u 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, for it would take
me an hour to make myself prcsentable,"
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, rubbish?' was Amy's uncompro,
missing comment, as she went back to the
par!or 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 Of a connoisseur, but found
plenty of time meanwhile, for the study
OF the pretty face beside him.
That little dab of 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.
He cast a we'll satisfied glance around,
for he was great lover of order, and
failing to detect the presence of ser
want anywhere, was about to make some
remark Wien sudden look of intelli-
gence fitted across his handsome face.
He glanced from the well-polished
range to the little spot on his pretty
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