The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-04-14
1hc Factory Girl.

1t was little studio, quite at the top OF
the house. Upon the easel that occupied
the poss of honor in the middle of the
room, large piece Of canvas glowcd with
the SOFT tlnts OF spring landscape, and
frank Seymour stood before it, pallet in
hand, bis large brown eyes dreamy with q
sort of inspiration.
In comfortable easy chair by the door
sat plump, rosy, little female, in lace
cap, with plenty of narrow white ribbons
nutterlng from it, and silvergray poplln
dress-A1rs Seymour, in fact, our artist g
mother, who has just come up from the
basement TO sec how Frank was getting
along
'Here, mothcr,' said the young map,
with al enthusiastic sparkle in his eyes,
Just see the way the sunset light touches
The topmost branches of the old apple tree,
\ like the brown, subducd gold Of that tint !;
II somehow reminds me of Grace Teller's
hair
Mrs. Seymour moved little uncasily in
her chair.
Yes, it's very pretty; but it strikes me,
Frank, you are lately discovering good
many similtudes between Hiss Teller and
your pictures
Frank laughed good humoredly.
Wei, mother; she is pretty
Yes, l don't deny that she's pretty
enough
Now, mother, what's the meaning Of
thut ambiguous tone P demanded the Young
artist, pleasantly. 'What have you dlscov-
cred about bliss Grace Teller tha: isn't
Charming and womanly and lovely2'
Frank, do you know who she is2'
Yes, l know that she is O. remarkably
pretty girl with voice that sounds exactly
like the low, soft ripple of the little riyulet
where used to play when was a bow
Nonsense, said Mrs. Seymour, sharply.
We'll, then, if your are not satisfied with
my description of her as she is, would Won
like tC know what she VIII Dcf' :
Mrs. Seymour looked puzzled.
Mother, think one day she will be my
wife
Frank Frank arc you crazy2'
:Not that know Of, said Mr.. Seymour,
composedly, squeezing little deep blue on
his pallet out of dainty tin tube, and
mixing it thoughtfully.
'We know so little about her. thought
Mrs. seymour. TO be sure she is visiting
Mary Elton, and Mary belongs to very
good family, if she does live in half house
and takes in fine embroidery for living
But then she has no style at all compared
with Cynthia Parker. Cynthia always
did fancy our Frauk. Then, moreover,
she has five or six thousand dollars of her
own. But, dear me, young man in love
IS the most headstrOng creature alive
Airs. Seymour unused awhile longer, and
then put on her mouse colored silk bonnet
and gray shawl, and set out upon tour of
investigation.
I'll hnd ont something about Miss Teller,
or III know the reason why thought the
indefatigable widow.
bliss Grace Teller was at home, helping
Mary Elton In an elaborate piece of fine
embroidery. The room where the two
girls sat was very PLAIN, carpcted with the
cheapest Ingram, and curtaincd with very
ordinary plAk and white chintz, yet 1t
looked snug and CHEEKY, for the fat black
Dlrd was chlrping noisiy in the window,
and stand Of mignonctte and velvet
blossomed pansics gave delightful tint to
this pretty picture of everyday life.
Mary Elton was pale, thin, and not at
all pretty; there was a trcmulous sweetness
about her mouth that seemed to whisper
that she might have been different under
different circumstances. Grace Teller was
alovely blonde, With large blue eyes, rose
leaf skin, and hair whose luminous gold
fell over her forehead like an aureolc.
AS Mrs. Seymour entered a dccpe1
shade OF pink stole over Grace's beautiful
check, but otherwise she was calm and
sclf-possessed, and readily parricd the old
ladies intcrrogatorcs.
Very warm this morning. said the
old lady, tanning herself. DO they have
fhnr
Miss Tellcr2'
81 believe it is very sultry in Fac; ory
yillc,' said Grace, composcdy taking an
other necdlcfull OF white silk.
'Factoryvillc2 Is that your native
placc2 Perhaps then you know MIR. Par
kcr-Cynthla Po'> rs fathcr-who il
superintendent in ..e great calico mills
thcre2'
Very well, l have often seen him.
Are you acquainted with Cynthia2'
No believe Miss Parker spends mos
OF her time in this city,
That's very true,' said Mrs. Seymour
sagcly. Cynthia says there's no. societ
worth having in Factoryvillc-only tn
girls that work IN the factory; Cynthia l
very gcntcel. But excuse my curiosity
Miss Tellcr-how did you become acquain
TED with MIR. Parker and not with hi
daughlcr2'
Grace colorcd.
business brought me in contact frc
quently with the gentleman of whom yo
speak. But never happened to meet hi
daughter
Mrs. Seymour gave q little start in he
chair-sho was beginning to see throug
the mystery.
Perhaps you have something to do wit
tho calico factory
i have SAID Grace, with calm dig
nity,'
"A factory girll' gaspcd Mrs. seymou,
growing red and white.
'ls there any disgrace In the title p mi