Louisiana capitolian., 1880-01-03


chops and brewing soups was not alto
cethcr harmonious with The exalted i'm
agination of The studio.
"If should make art profession /
would be compelled TO give up my do
nestle duties entirely" was her sage
mental comment. ''But this picture
will he my last. am glad it is finish
ed"
Completed and finely framed; she
submitted lis fate TO dealer, an'ici-
pating speedy recompense for her la
bors.
Lettering unseen in IN obscure nook
of ile place, she heard something that
startled and stunned her.
':She is a pre;;y little woman, the
dealer was saying, "buG her esotisn aud
ignorance are astonishing. One would
no sooner offer for sale chat conglonlera-
ton of color than ihc carpenters sign
board over yonder."
An amused laugh followed, and as the
speaker turned away, Editha slipped
quietly out into the street.
81 shall never wear that hateful man
tle," she gasped, choking down tear
less sob. II will sell it or pawn it, for
until illat money is replaced, can new
er honestly meet the eyes Of my hrs-
band again"
But her elegant property proved I'M
saleable, and the aniocrat behind the
three golden balls was scarcely less
pliable than the censOriOus critic of her
painted "Trascdy Of The Heliespont."
Shamed aud disronSOlatc, she went
home, wondering if James would blame
her so much if she would tell him lie
whole lumiliatinS truth.
Presently he came, looking sad and
white.
"My dearest" he began mournfnlly,
"our firm has failed. The employees
are all without work, and what is worse,
without the smallest hope Of obtaining
;hc salaries of the past month. Fort"-
nately, you and | have saved something
for the rainy day iha1 has come. With
out it we should be badly situated,
strangers as we are in ;1e city where
we have scarcely friend"
Hearisick: the young wife could only
how her head and weep: iioreseein: I'll
The trouble and want that Jay before
them.
The misery came speedily-the weary
ing search for employment never found
tile worn, despairins husband pros
tratcd at last by IL last fatal illness-the
pauper funeral and the burial in Il pau
per's grave-and then she was left alone.
How she hated that embroidered man
tie! How she hated her own self for
Tho foolish vanity that had wrought so
much Of pain and loss!
The "rainy day" had gone down in
utter darkness, and for her there remain
ed nothing but mourning and regret.
Never again would she listen ,or the
footstep on the stairs, the CHEEKY, loving
vUico, or watch for the handsome la,,Dy
face of him whose last days bad been
denied the barcst comforts because of
her lault.
The price of hat embroidered mantle
must be paid in pain and tears! o
ooh, James, my DEAR" she moaned
''iv seemed SO small IL sin-sO small u
sum to take and SO easy TO replace and
ye, il was our all. Ii | could have
known, my lost one, how you were to
suffer, should never have been 50
wickcdly and rccklessly thoushtlcss."
The sound OF eager footsteps, Inc
sound of q most dear voice aroused her.
She opened her eyes and >,'w the cheer
full lire glowing in the CRATE, and ne
soft white autumn moonlight cleaning
on the great ailanthus trees before ;he
window.
Some one bent over her and drew her
caressingly into his arms.
"Editha, my love, are you i'll {" asked
the beloved voice. "You are shivering,
and your cheeks are hot anu wet with
tears" o.
'Tve been dreaming, l think" she
painted, sobbing and laughing hysteri-
cally; "dreaming Of dreadful things
that would have killed ME if they had
been real. And yet it WIS all about an
embroidered mantle saw to-day and
coveted SO mucl, that had almost deci-
dcd to purchase it with our sayings
Oh, james, forgive me-"
"YOu shall have The mantle, dear, and
q dozen if You like" he answered, laugh
ing, "for our firm has promoted me,
and our savings for the future will be
something more pretentious. And as a
pleasant surprise for my little wife l
have brought the Identical article that
she coveted tO-day-ller embroidered
mantle."
Happy were the world, il all of rs
might awake from our sorrOwful dreams
TO such agreeable realities.
Married With Rifle in Hand.