The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-08-11
THE STORY OF A SCREEN.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

The level beams of the mellow May
sunset were revealing every flaw and
crack in the cheap papcring which COW
cred the walls of the little garret room
where Mabel Moore sat busily Mt her
sewing-machine, and a single pot of
blue velvet pansies in the high, narrow
window made spot of color for poor
Mrs. Moorc's weary eyes to rest upon,
as she toiled at the fioss-silk embroidery
which was her whole occupation.
The room was small and scantily fur
nished, but there was within its walls
ono relic of vanished days-a black
satin screen, mounted on n standard of
gilded bamboo. and painted in deep
rich oil-colors. with q scarlet 1amingO
floating upward against background
of reeds and grasses. while in the dis
tance famed n stormy sunset sky.
mamma did it herself, when she
was a girl at boartling-school," said
Mabel Moore to those who sometimes
asked the history of this one remaining
token Of luxury: sWe have kept it
through sverything. i would not part
with & for lis weight in gold" @s
And then she would laughingly tell
the tale If bow half a eozen collectors
Of antiques and aesthetic furniture had,
at different times, endeavOred to pur-
chase the old screen.
.One man wanted to buy it with
pair of tongs and brass coal-scuttle.
said she; s.another one offered broken
set of Thackeray's novels and a fender;
and a third bargained with a tete-a-tete
set of china, and a broken-nosed statue
of Psyche"
For Mabel was a bright-eyed. sweet
faced girl, who had very keen sense
Of 1hsridionlous, Fand lived through
the Aafd realities of her life with the
qui$ fDstitnde iof al INFORM heroine.
BIT 4Hetall, the second hand deal
slp we're nething in resolution and per-
sistence as compared with Miss Ann
Azalea Harper, the daughter of the
landlord from whose leaky and badly
drained premises they had removed
few weeks previously. Miss Ann Aza-
lea had very fair idea of bric-a-brac
treasures, and she had cast her fine
eyes upon this very screen.
'.It's worth a deal of money!" said
Ann Azalea to herself. '.And it was
only this morning that Aunt Hepsy was
for just such an old-fashiOned
Now Aunt Hepsy was rich old maid,
shrewd erp6sy, elderly. and full of dis
trust ofsAll the smooth-tongued rela-
lives whdpr0Bessi0ns Of love and re-
spect wef05sosextreme. * .
"A screenP" said Aunt Hepsy. Eyes,
want q screen"
"rll paint you one. dear aunt" said
Ann Azalea.
'.Much of a screen yoM could paint?'
said the old lady, disdainfully.
e Il improved good deal at boarding
ychoo1n said Ann AAzalea, meekly.
i6tretch it upon an antique
bapahoe rsek; and really I think it will
please you.
II don't" said Aunt Hepsy.
"May try, dear aunt?'
"Yes," said the old lady, grudging-
y. '.you may t,y."
And Ann Azalea, who had already
IN her mind appropriated poor Mrs.
Moore's antique screen, set diligently
about the work of getting possession of
he same.
''YOu owe my pa ten dollars of rent"
'aid Ann Azalea, .spitefully, as she sat
painting for breath in the little garrett
.oom, after having toiled up the three
ong and narrow flights. of stairs
'You can't deny it.' -
'.It is quite true'', acknowledged |
meek Mrs. Moore, who, in her daugh-
er's absence was absolutely defence
ess; "but2"
"You ought to be ashamed to owe so
much money as that" said Ann Aza-
en-. = lftii ~ ifi
1--WE have been very unfortunate. of
ate," said Mrs. Moore. "But we fully |
intend to repay all of our indebtedness
IS soon as my daughter"
''Oh, that's all nonsenser' brusquely |
Interrupted Ann Azalea. 'Pa ought
o have put an execution-that's what
le ought to have doner'
Poor Mrs. Moore shutldcred.
'.Anl it amt too late now" added
he young lady, ignoring the code and
III its provisions.
"Oh, Miss Harperr'
'.But we don't want TO be exOrbitant."
went on Ann Azalea. $50,
ooner than be at the expense of n law
nit, I'll take some tritle or other in
,ay. That screen, for instance" with
or greedy eyes fixed on the pictured
light Of the scarlet fiamingo. Ten
'ollars is a deal of money, and the
Green is an old-style thing. but l
gouldn't mind calling things even,
ust to ease your conscience, if"
81 couldn't-oh. l couldn't!' cried
1rs. Moore. the tears coming into hep
YES. sIt was work did as girl
fy own poor mother sketched in the
reen rushes and grass with her own
encil, and-and if any one is to have
!, it is already promised to an old FAM
y friend. who is to pay twenty-five
olIars for it. -
s.yery well, )" said Miss Harper, ris-
,g, with an ominous toss of her head.
Then. if you really mean to swindle