Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1881-12-01
THE tstRALDs

One wintery afternoon In January,
away up in The bleak attic Of a wretch
ed tenement house. pale sad.eyed
woman sat sewing. The garment upon
which she was engaged WIS a very
rich dress. The twilight closed in rapid.
ly, with binding fall of snow. a bit
tel. wailinc blast that made the win
dOws rattle In the easements. still the
pale-faced woman stitched ON.
Mother" piped a sweet voice from
the cot beneath the window. "will you
get the ine dress doneg Oh, mother,
am so hungry! IL / only had some
ten and bit of sausage"
She worked on steadily for a time,
pausing only 90 brush tear from her
white cheek, then arose and shook ont
the glimmering robe.
''Tis done at last" she said. Now
mothers little girl can have her sup
per; only be patient little longer,
Flora. Ross. come. my boy"
A manly little fellow came out from
the bedroom beyond.
"The fine dress is done. Ross. aud
you must run home with Il rs fast as
you can. Miss Oracle will be out OF
patience. | know. Tell her | couldn't
finish IL one moment sooner. and ask
her 10 give you the money. We must
have II tonight. And you can stop at
Mr.. Rays as you come back and bU,
some coal; and we must have some
bread and tea. and mite Of butter.
and you must get sausage. Ross. for
poor little Flora"
"l'll get them all. mother" he said.
"and be back In time. You shall have
u big sausage, little Sis" turning to-
ward the cot.
The girl nodded her curly head and
her great wistful eyes sparkled with
delight.
"And you shall have half Of il, Ross, -
she piped. In her splendid bird voice.
Hadn't you better put on YOU thick
jacket. my boyY" continued the mother.
"The wind cuts like knife"
"Pshawl little mother, don't mind
the wind" and away Inc went down
the creaking stairs and OUt into The
storm. Miss Oracle FOnteuay was in
a perfect furorc Of impltipnce and
anger. Her dear Eve hundred friends
were assembled in the halls below. and
her handsome dress had not come home.
"What did that heggar woman mean
by disappointing her;"
At that moment there was "a ring at
the door and voice In the hall.
"Please tell Miss Gricic my mother
could not finish Il sooner. she wants
the money tonight"
The servant took the handsome dtes3
and message
"l'll never give her another stitch of
work" cried the angry beauty. Il
ought 90 have had 10 three hours ago
IIere-FanChOn. dress me at once
there's not u minute To lose. No. /
can't pay tonight. | haven't time. He
must call tomorrow"
"But we've no Gre. and nothing to
eat, and my little sister Is sick" called
the boy, pushing up the grand stair
way.
"Shutthe door. Fanchon! p command.
en- Miss Oracle. And The door was
shut in his face.
From the porch at the pirlor win.
dow Pansic watched The whole scene.
her violet eyes distcndcd with childish
amazement.
poor little boy," she slid. rs Ross
disappeared down the stairway; sister
Oracle ought to pay him. II must be
dreadful to have no lre and nothing "a
eat
She stood for u moment balancing
herself on the tip Of one dainty foot
her rosebud face grave and reflective
then sudden thought flooded her blue
eyes with sunshine. and snatchinl
something from the table she dartei
down stairs. The servant had just
closed the street door, but she nuttered
past him like humming bird and
opened IL.
On the steps sat Ross, brave little
fellow that he was. his face i'm mi.
hands, sobbing as II his heart would
break.
Whats the matter little boyg" ques.
toned Pansie
Ross looked up, half believing that il
was the face Of an angei looking down
upon him through the whirlng snow
"Oh. can't go home without the
money" he sobbed; poor mother
worked hard. and Flora Is sick and So
hungry"
"Here," she said "do take this. little
boy, and buy her lots of nice things.
'ris worth good deal papa bought IL
Tor my birthday present, but do you
take II and welcome"
She extended her dimpled hands.
and something like a shower of stars
fell AZ the boys feet. He caught IL mo
IN amazement-a necklace of emeralds
iustrous, cleaning things set In tawny
Indian gold. " ''""'
mo, no." he cried. runnnic IN %
where she stood. 81 canno, to ~ 49, ~
necklace-take it back ''
"Hou shall take it," she continued
imperiously "I have lots of ens
JeWeiry and Hne things-run boms
now and buy your sister something h
She closed the door with bang and
Ross stood irresoute Ia the ssorr.. .,S
gloom. Should he ring the hell ami -
turn the jewels to Pansie's father ~ =,
should he do as she bade himY III,
thought Of his mother and Door littl,
Flora watching wistfully for his return
Tie could not 60 back 10 see thsr
starve With a sudden feeling of dea
peration he thrust the glittering necI,
lace In his pocket and dashed dowr
the street,
The gsslight blazed brilliantly in
fashionable iswelry establishment, anI