Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-12-25


| lands, idealiZed by the soft falls of
lace and punches OF pink and GRIM
son roses, the latter procured at a
J cost of ten cents piece.
"Colors seen by candlelight do not
look the same by day. Mamma we
shall make a hit, | suspect"
1t was showing Christmas Eve,
and Mrs. Meroyn, suffering from
rheumatism of the hip-''sciatica, !"
her nephew teasingly dubbed it
dared not risk exposure.
90, well, mamma said Mig
nome, cheerfully, when the evening
waned and no sign OF clear weather,
81 shall not be at all afraid, don't
you b. uneasy. / don't mind walk
ing there in the least; one Of the
servants down stairs will carry my
things, and Mr.. Hambleton will see
that get homo all right, he is so
very good and kind"
But later as she was donning her
wraps, and her stage costume was
awaiting Mrs. Meroyn's appearance
to be packed, a servant appeared at
the door with a card for Miss Havi-
land.
cit is Mr.. Hambleton, mamma"
she cried, running down to the par
Tor in her breathless fashion, her
furs about her neck, her cap in her
hand.
"Mr. Hambleton am so relieved.
He smiled at her impetuosity. II
have brought carriage, Miss Havi-
land, the night is so inclement."
"How kind, wait till l tell man.
ma, please, she has been very uneasy"
us Mrs. Haviland well enough to
see me this evening? should like
to relieve her mind about you"
Mignonne's soft eyes flashed him a
bright glance of gratitude, 90, yes,
mamma is better than usual, you
may come with me now, please"
"Mignonne,n called Mrs. Meroyn,
looking out from her door, as the
two crossed the hall, her head and
her voice much muffled, Il will be
over in a minute to pack your
| things"
"Yes'm," but Mignonne blushed
scarlet, for she had quite forgotten
that her pitiful bits of fnery cumber-
ed every available chair in her moth
er's room, and Mr.. Hambleton would
actually have to step over the care
tully-covered pink sateen slippers
before he could reach her mothers
| chair.
Mamma, Mr.. Hambleton has
kindly brought carriage for me; |
knew you would like to thank him."
Then poor little Rose, how she
glowed catching up the flashing
| draperies, with a vicious little kick
at the slippers that sent them igno-
miniously under the nearest table,
and with a half-audible word of ex-
| cuse, she darted aross the hall into
Mrs. Meroyn's room.
"Why child" cried her kind old
friend, "what is the matter ?''
&c." cried Mignonne, half laugh
ing, "Mr. Hambleton has come for
me and he asked to see mamma.
Think of it, Mrs. Meroyn, he had ac-
tuaily to pick his way among all this
foolish trumpery," depositing her
armful on the divan and herse If in
an easy chair by the window.
Mrs. Meroyn smiled little quiz
ically.
"Ah, well, what does it matter"
rising and examining the obnoxious
articles with approval. "Rest here
my dear. while l pack these nicely
for YOU" whereupon Mrs. Meroyn
disappeared, her placid old face look
ing very sweet and gentle above the
pink pillows upon which she seemed
to float into the adjoining dressing
room.
1.-THE slippers are under the bed in
mammals room, Mrs. Meroyn," Mig
nome called ruefully after her.
"I'll see to them"
so thank you !" then Mignonne
nestled back in her chair and rested
her chin in her hands.
She was very tired she had sewed
all day on flannel wrapper intended
as Christmas surprise for mamma,
the button-holes must be worked
yet tonight when her work at the
hall was over. Would she be given
the money tonight! She hoped so,
because, then on her way home she
could stop and buy one of those soft,
warm cOuvre piedS that she had so
long wanted for mamma, then she
would buy few white grapes, and,
perhaps, enough for a saucer piece
of those delicious cream maccaro-
MES. She would like very much to
have some little gift for Mrs. Mer-
oyn ,-what should it be, IA.
Into the real dreamland slipped Mig
nome, her arch face shining above
the soft velvet brown of her fur del
icate and daintily colored as some
enamel of Limonsin's. She slept |
like tired child, her lips apart, a
warm flush in her cheeks. A little |
dark heap it seemed in the waning
light, filling the crimson chair, for
the brown waterproof shrouded the
1.-the curves of her girlish figure;