The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-03-17
FL,0RA'S HAIR.

lie wind midway between, Wnen ollas
Montague's superb chestnut colorr'i
horses were checked in front Of the
plate glass windows of q fashionable
coifeur's establishment, just out of the
whirl and tumult of Broadway. and q
Young lady Of about seventeen alighted
from the chocolate colored coupe to
enter the dominion Of pomatum and
frisettoS.
The knight of comb and scissors ad-
varced briskly from behind the counter
to meet his pretty customer, who was
dressed in velvetS and sableS that might
have, and probably did, cost a small
fortune.
"Don't let me interrupt you, Mr.. Ma
casser." said the lady, carelessly sinking
down on q crimson brocatelle sofa, and
~glancing toward two women with whom
the coitfeur had been in deep CONVERSE
ton at the moment Of her entrance.
II a wait a few minutes perfectly
we'll"
You are very kind, Miss Montague.
but our business is completed" he added
in a lower tone Of voice. "Only some
women come to sell their hair. You
sec they have stepped inside for Of cut
ter to take it off,"
ITO sell their hair?" repeated Miss
Montague.
Certainly, nla'am. It's q very COM
NOR thing, I assure you, more particu-
larly since it has become usual to wear
the hair short. And then, hard times,
you know"
But surely it is impossible to get
enough to be any compensation for the
loss of . fine head of hair" said the
young .ady, earnestly.
ooh, you ar; mistaken. For long,
luxuriant hair Of y good color-such
hair. for instance, rs yours, Miss Mon
tague-wc give rs much rs three dol
lar,."
"Three dollars!" repeated the girl,
scornfully.
Hair will soon grow again, Miss
Montague" said the hairdresser, shrug-
cling his shoulders. I'm what way can
| serve you to-day"
Il came in to request you to send
some n to arrange my hair tomorrow
evening"
Mrs. Warrener's ball"" smoothly in
terposed the man, who appeared to be
al faI in fashionable intelligence. Ger
tainly, to be sure. I will send Francois.
What jewels do you wear?"
"Only a small wreath ofnetted pearls
round the braids."
And Macassar bowed his fair young
p~atroness out Of the store with smiling
complaisance. She stood a moment on
the step. as if thinking, then spoke to
the liveried servant on the box.
"Ycu may drive home. John. | shall
not need you any mor to-day" she said,
quietly.
John touched first his gold banded
hat and then his horses. and in q few
moments was out Of sight, very glad to
be relieved.
Then, and not till then, Miss Mon
tague walked briskly away, brushing
the pavements Of obscure streets with
her costly silk as if she cared not for its
lustrous splendor, treading narrow
alleys, and at length assembled the I'M
~carpetcd stairs Of 4 tenement house, 60
ing to the third story.
The door was opened by a pale, shad-
owy-looking woman, scarce older i'll
the calendar of years than Miss Monta-
que herself, but alas! how much more
aged in the record Of care and grief.
Flora, dearest, how kind this is Of
you.i
For Flora Montague had thrown her
arms round the slender figure, and was
showeriag kisses on the pale forehead
with true gir!ish warmth of affection.
You can't be more surprised to see
me Lizzie. than I an to be here! l was
out shopping, when suddenly the idea
occurred to me of stealing IN interview
with you. So sent John home, and
here | am"
But, Flora, what would my uncle
"He never will know" said Flora,
demureiy. And besides, Lizzie, my
conscience does not condemn Inc for this
visit. Papa's conduct has been so I'M
kind, SO actually inlluman toward you.
Think Of it, dearest. After giving you
3 luxurious home until now. to turn
you out O. doors just for marrying q Door
artist-and you his sisters daughter,
too"
TRUE" said the delicate young crea-
turc whom Flora addressed as Lizzie.
Yet if it were not for Clements con-
tinued illness and poverty. I should
never for 4 moment regret that"
The door was rudely pushed open at
this moment, without ever the trifing
tormality of , warning knock, and a
wiry head, with sharp, terrier eyes to
match. was thrust uncerem on :ously in.
II say, missns, is that ere money
ready:?'
Lizzie turned very pale and clasped
her van fingers tightly together.
81 am sorry" she stammered,
but"
The head and eyes now advanced en-
tirely into the room. with the short.
thick-set figure to which they belonged.
Look here, marm," said the man
harshiy, this is the third week you've
had this ere two rooms and not q red
cent Of rent have l set eyes on. Needn't
tell me your husbands sick; there's
onor'"h tenants l = get without sick
husD...Io. don't want to hear no ex-
cuses-thcy don't amount to nothing. |
jest want you to understand this much
if them three dollars amt paid down be.
fore the clock strikes five, out you 60,
bag and baggage. OIL the pavement. I've
stood this kind o'nonsense long enough"
He disappeared, closing the door be-
hind him with 4 bang that made the
walls rattle. Flora had listened to the
briei %colloquy with paling cheek, which
grew still whittier as Lizzie hurst into q
p&roxysm Of bitter tears, hiainc her
face in her hands. Flora arose and bent
over the bowed form with 4 caressing
touch.
Dearest. are thi'g s really rs bad as
this?"
Lizzie replied only by sobs.
Cant you contrive to raise the
money to pay this man?'
How can ~" moaned Lizzie.
Everything We have. except the very
he'd Clement lies on, is sold or pawned.
I am faint from lack of bread, and it is
impossible to get even the most poorly
paid work"
Flora's lip quivered. Size mad never
seen poverty in this CHASTITY guise be-
fore.
oh, i'll could help you," she
sighed. But papa never gives me any
m ,ney; he pays my bills cheerfully,
hut everything passes through his own
hands"
1T would kill Clement to be moved"
sobhcd Lizzie. cit [ could but obtain
the three dollars would not care for
aught else"
Az Flora bent over her cousin. one
inning braid Of glossy golden hair be-
came detached from it's fastening am!
tell from beneatl. her bonnet. She put
H. her hand mechanically to replace 1t.
ard at that moment she remembered
Mr.. Macassar's words.
''Lizzie" she exclaimed .impetuously,