Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-04-30


out of cloud of soapy steam.
But" he went on, 81 was going to
ask one OF the servants for basket to
bring fish home in"
81 will get it for you with pleasure,
said Susie.
And as she turned to the dresser, her
sister answered the puzzled expression
of Mr.. Abbott's face.
You ere surprised to see SUSIE DO
ing that p sail she, with gesture to-
ward the plebeian tub. And l don't
wonder. But its only frolic-a wa
ger. Girls will do such things, you
know"
But Susie had heard the last words,
and turned around VITA crimson cheeks
and sparkling eyes.
ut is no frolic," said she. "And
it's not wager. It's serious, sober
earnest. l am doing the washing be-
cause Kate has sprained her ankle, and
there's no one else but grandma to do
it,"
Indeed !" said Mr.. Abbott. "And
can't help you?'
Yes Susie promptly made answer.
You can carry that basket of clothes
out to the bleaching ground for me-"
"Susie y exclaimed her sister, as
Mr.. Abbott cLeerily shouldered the
load and strobe away in the direction
indicated by Sdsies pointing finger.
"He asked said Susie, II shouldn't
lave asked him.
"Judge Abbott's son. groaned
Grace. "Thc richest man in Ballston!
He'll never ask you to go out rowing
on the lake with him again.
But the temperance of the gentle
man in question put stop to the dis
cussion.
"Miss SUSIE" said he, "I would
have hoisted them upon the riggings
for you, but the wind takes them off
So"
"That's because you needed the
clothes-pins,' said Susie, handing them
to him with alacrity.
"Couldn't you come and help 2"
said Mr.. Abbott, wistfully. "Two
can manage so much better than one"
"Oh, I'll come and help" said Susie;
"and be glad to get nay clothes out dry
ing"
She tied On her small bingham sun
bonnet, and ran out into the yellow
September sunshine, while Grace burst
out crying with mingled vsxation and
anger.
II shall never get over the disgrace
of it in the world" she said" never,
never Susie has no dignity-no prop.
er pride No; don't speak to me, grand
ma, or shall say something dreadful !!
I declare, 1 have mind never to own
her as sister again p
*xFx **** **x*
Shave you finished the washing? 2"
asked Mr.. Ray Abbott.
Eyes, I've finished" said Susie Lee.
But shouldn't like to earn my liv-
ing as laundress. It's very tiresome
business"
Susie was cooling off, under the
shadow of the frost grape-vines in the
woods, with book in her hand, and
the curly locks blown back from her
pretty Spanish forehead.
Mr.. Albeit locked admiringly down
on her. All his life long his expert
ence had lain among the smiling, arti-
ficial dolls of conventional society.
He had admired Susie Lee the first
time he had ever seen her; but that
days experience of her frank, true ma
ture had given depth and earnestness
to the feeling.
Miss Lee, said he, do you know
what have been thinking Of since we
hung out those towels and tablecloths
together?"
Haven't the least ides," said un-
conscious Susie, tanning herself with
two grape leaves, pinned together by
thorn.
81 have been thinking" said he,
that I should like my wife to be just
such woman as you are."
"a washerwoman ?" said Susie, try.
ing to laugh off her bushes.
am quite in earnest, SUSIE" he
said, leaning over her. "Dear Susie,
will you be my wife?"
But am only working girl" re-
piled Susie, beginning to tremble all
over, and half inclined to cry. "We
are type-setters, Grace and I, and we
are very poor"
"My own love, you are rich in all
that heart could wish y pleaded All
bolt, taking both her hands in his;
"and I want you for my own!"
Ray Abbott had fancied Susie Lee
when he saw her playing croquet in
pale pink muslin, with o tea rose in
her hair, but the divine flame of love
first stirred in his heart when she
looked at him through the vapory
clouds Of the wash. tub-Guido's angel
folding her fair wings in a farmhouse
kitchen.
Just so curiously are romance and
reality blended together in the world.
A Caution to Railroad COmnanips