The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-09-22

her jaunty garden hat twitch, and
folding her plump pink arms defiantly;
tits no use TO talk-I can't stay in the
house and be a carved image of dignity
all my days, and if your fastidious Mrs.
Hastings don't like it, she may-whis-
tler'
"You want to disgrace us ALL" said
her elder sister, Mildred, drawing her
black eyebrows together, digging in
that old garden like ridiculous TOM
boy as you are, just where all the neigh
bors can see Mrs. Hastings says"
Il don't care il she does" interrupt
ed Ellie, stufling n package of seed into
her apron pocket. II always did want
a chance to do something; and, what's
the use of renting a suburban cottage
and paying good price for piece of
ground with it if you daren't grow a
few onions or bit of spinach for
amusementp'
Il doubt if you'll have the chance
long" sighed Mrs. Stretton, a thin,
faded woman, with a perpetually wor-
ricd expression; ''the rent is too high;
don't think we can stay"
"Now, motherv'
Mildred jerked herself up from her
lounging position on the green damask-
covered sofa and kicked over footstool
with gathering ill-temper.
1--WE must stay, at least until"
until whenP" weakly asked Mrs.
her dark-browcd daughters temper.
''Until Mrs. Hastings brother comes
home," admitted Mildred, vivid blush
staining her handsome face. ''She
promised to bring him to see us, but
she is SO exclusive, it is positively neces-
sary for US to keep up every appearance
of elegance. And here's Effie doing her
best to upset it all. If she only would
cultivate little dignity"
II would rather cultivate cabbages,"
averred Ellie. tipping her pert head on
one side to straighten her hat, which
had a habit Of sliding about in every
direction. "Never mind, Mile; it will
give you a better chance when the hero
puts in an appearance"
but the rent" pervously began
Bother the rentr' retorted Mildred,
GROSSLY, settling back comfortably on
the sofa and paying no further attention
dignifiedly down the garden walk with
pan of seeds in one hand, q hoe in
the other, and her hat sliding over one
ear, paused a moment thoughtfully.
poor nanny, she's always wor-
riedr' she sighed. II ought to do
something to help her."
> "Your sister seems to enjoy outdoor
exercise" remarked the exclusive Mrs.
Hastings, who had honorcd the STREET
tons with an afternoon call.
YES" smiled Mildred, waving her
fan with languid grace; "she is such a
dear little romp-has such fancy for
amateur gardening, and"
There was a sound of banging doors,
frisky CHATTER of light heels in the hall,
and distinct:
NANNY! Mildred! where are you?
I've found a way to pay the rent. They
are starting pickle mandatory in
that large building across the fields,
and they're going to buy all the onions
and gherkins in the neighborhood."
A misunderstanding young lady, in
an untidy white apron with one pocket
ripped off, cloud of light hair down
her back and newspaper in her hand,
bounced into the drawing-room, never
doubling that the voices she heard there
were those of her mother and sister, but
perceiving the visitor, dropped her pa
per and stood staring in dismay, and
finally catching her sisters Disconnected
looks and furtive frowns, she bit her lip
and fled from the room with swift tears
of modification dimming her sunny
eyes.
'But I'll grow all 1 can in the garden
and make some money all the same"
was the reflection that consoled her.
And thereafter Effie devoured trea-
tises on vegetable culture, and dug,
spaded, and raked her bit of garden in
defatigably, and strange to say. in spite
of her inexperience, her onions flour
ished and multiplied until the long beds
were crowded with the smooth, shining
roots. A freckled youth dwelling hard
by was the delegate at whose hands the
pickle-making establishment daily re-
'ceived baskets heaped with the results
of the young lady's toll, while the fair
gardener herself made weekly trips to
the mandatory for collecting purposes.
The Autumn days had come and
were fast departing, and one evening
Effie came home with glow in her
cheeks and eyes.
olive had an Offer" she confessed,
'from the manager of the pickle fac
tory"
''For Heaven saker' walled Mildred,
dropping Imply back in her chair, "has
it come to thisp / knew something
dreadful would come of your low-bred
tastes-but this is too much"
"But, Mill" urged Eflie, she's good,
and handsome, and"
Don't tell me what he is! He is in
horrid, vulgar business-that is suf-
ficient."
'Lady and gentleman for missus,"
announced the. new servant-girl from
the girl. 81 tole 'em you's in the set
tin'room, N they could come in"
"You needn't mind us, you know"
and it was Mrs. Hastings who swept in
IN the room sI,ve hrofrpht NV brot her