Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-04-06
LAURA'S MISTAKE.

Lrura had been making out bill.
Miss Hayden,
| To Laura stetson, DIR.
Satin overskrt. .$25 "
Paid out on same IL "
Rufnng skirt, seven bias rufries, corded ON
both sides. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 10 "
Belt, with sash ends braided. Observation-Disclosures. 81
| TOTAL. SlS W
THAT'S ALL" said the tired girl, let,
ting her pencil drop, and breathing d
sigh of relief.
al hope she will pay you tonight, u
murmured Mrs. Stetson.
"She Is well aware of our needs, was
the sad reply. cat the same time she
carries her old habits of saving into her
new life, for she knows / shall not
charge one-haIf the price that regular
dressmaker would. She would have to
pay Nine. Joliffe 800 at the least"
"WeIl, it's a shame" replied her mo-
ther, "that you can't get the regular
price when you do your work as well.
Time was when your father could have
bought and sold Walter Hayden; and
now you must work your fingers off for
his daughter, who has neither your edu-
cation. nor"
"Oh, don't mammal pleaded Laura,
with little laugh that was partly hys-
terical. "You only make it worse for
me, you see, calling up old times. Just
say it will all come right in the fall, as
papa used to-" and with the smile still
on her lips, she turned her troubled
| eyes away.
For poor, proud Laura, earning q
scanty living for her mother and her.
self, had memory of the Haydens hid
den in her heart.
When Bart Hayden had gols away,
only year before, she had thought of
him for months after, nay, even till now
with quickened pulse and heightened
color. The Haydens were not wealthy
then; but within a short time they had
come into fortune, and it was rumored
that young Bart was also growing rich
through lucky speculation.
1t was just nine months since the
death Ct Laura's father. He had drop
ped down suddenly, while apparently in
the full enjoyment of health; and after
the funeral it was found that his affairs
were in q very tangled condition. In
fact only small house was left to the
widow. through the consideration of
creditors, and that far from comfortably
| furnished.
Laura, the child of wealth and fash
ion, her fathers idol, delicate, tho
roughbred, elegant girl, who had hereto
fore summed herself in the warm rays of
prosperity, and hardly knew whether
she had heart or not, proved herself a
heroine. Whatever she could find to do
she worked at with all her heart. Plain
sewing, embroidery, dressmaking, for
which she had talent, and concerning
which she had often laughjngly SAID that
if she had not been rich she might have
been famous; everything was undertak-
en- willingly. She accepted the situa-
ton, though not without some strug-
giles with pride and many secret tears.
Mrs. Stetson thought of the time
when a carriage YVES at the call of her
beautiful darling.
Dear, can't take it?" she asked
gazing at her anxiously. "You look
ILL"
"Iam ill-that is, my head aches but
the walk will do me good" Laura re-
sponded, trying to look bright. "Do
you think would let you carry home
my work? No, indeed % and she bent
over and kissed her mothers forehead.
Out In the open air she felt better
The nervous depression from which she
suffered gradually left her, and she be-
came interested in the sights and sounds
about her. Some of her former acquaint-
ances passed her, few with nod of
recognition, but most without noticing
her at all-little stings these were, but
she held her bundle firmly, lifted her
head trife higher, and passed bravely
on. Turning corner she came full upon
an unexpected tableau. A smartly dress
cd boy, with feather in his cap, kicked
and struggled with hls nurse, who vain
ly pulled the obstinate child till her face
was purple.
"Why, Lucyl Why, BENNY" exclaim-
cd Laura, for the girl was nurse-maid
at the Hayden's, and Benny the young
est hope of the house. whats al
this?"
"'Deed miss he's awful" said the
girl, nearly crying. ''When he makes
up his mind, it's q tiger he is, miss.
Just see him now"
Laura spoke a few words to the boy
in low tone. and he ceased struggling
for q moment.
"We're all at skies and sevens, sale
the nurse, "and the misses is orful ner
vous. Mr.. Bart's just returned from
Californy. without no warning, an(
brought beautiful young lady witt
him. I do suppose it's his wife, from
what 7 heard-and it quite upset th'
misses, and made such time. Now
there's that policeman; so you bette
come"
Laura heard, and for moment stree
and houses whirled round SO that sh
had much ado to keep herself from faint
ing. The words rang in her ears, 81 d.
suppose it's his wife," The strange AM
sudden revulsion of feeling passed, how
ever, leaving her deadly pale. Certain
ly, Bart had perfect right to get mar
ried: perfect right to forget hero
course he had. Men had done such thing
ever since the food, and would proba
bly,, to the end of time.
The blood burnt her face now bu
4 L