The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-12-07

with the five pounds?'
Speculate, SIR" said Charlie, brave
ly.
And then he explained his ideas.
There are the germs OF an enterpri5-
inc business man about you, young fel-
low" said Mr.. Jenkins. "Yes III lend
you the money-or, rather, I'll lend it
to your sister,
Mrs. ViYyan was sitting in her bou-
doir, writing cards of invitation to 3
musical party, wherewith she was in
tending doubly to enchant the senses tc
an especially favored few, when the
blue-ribboned maid showed in a little
lad, with bundle under his arm.
HE would insist upon seeing your
self. ma am,'' said Matilda, the maid.
Would you be so good as 10 look at
these curtains, ma'am?" said Charlie,
without allowing the grand lady time
to express any surprise at his appear
ance. Its the wild vine and flower
de-luco pattern peacock blue on old
gold, you know
And as ne unfolded the glittering
fabric, exquisitely embroidered in the
artistic pattern, Mrs Vivyan uttered an
exclamation of delighted surprise.
Its exquisiter' she cried. Its
superbl Even more beautiful than the
other. Did Mr.. Sellers get it for me
after all, then? And hos much do they
ask for it?''
ITS ten shilling a yard" said wise
little Charlie, ''and there are twenty
four yards. Enough for four windows"
I'm take them" said Mrs. Yivyan.
promptly. Tell MIR. Sellers
please | don't come from the shop"
said Che boy, valiantly. MY sister en-
hroiaered the curtains. | saw how
much you were pleased with the pattern
last month, aad l copied it, as nearly as
] could, and Elsie-that's my sister
worked it. And if you are suited with
it we shall be very glad, ma'am."
Mrs. Vivian took off her jewelled eye
glances, and stared at the boy.
Il never heard ANYTHING so extraordi-
AIRY in my life!' said she. "Do you
mean TO tell me that that exquisite
cork was done by your sister-here,
n this country?'
Charles face beamed with pride.
Every stitch Of it, ma am" said he.
And he carried back with him the rich
ady's cheque for twelve pounds.
But this was not the end of it. The
next day card came up-Mr. Vivyan's
card, and MIR. Vivyan himself followed
it, to Elsie's secret dismay.
'If could only have had time to
brush out my hairn' thought the girl.
not knowing how lovely she looked in
the picturesque disorder of her fair, yell
low tresses, as she sat at the everlasting
embroidery frame.
The gentleman raised his hat as
courteously as if she had been princess
of the blood.
Il am Mrs. Vivyan's emissary," he
said. She wishes to order banner
screen to match the curtains, and she
hopes that you will undertake the COM
mission
'.Gladlyr' cried Elsie with sparkling
eyes.
And the two sat down together to
design the pattern, as enthusiastic as
two children.
He's the pleasantest gentleman
ever saw" said eager Elsie, when
Charlie asked her about the visitor
when he returned from the shop. But
| thought YOU said that she wore eve
glasses and a false front OF HAIR
Charlie?"
$50 she did," said Charlie But all
ladies wear those wiggy concerns now
a-days."
He must be great deal younger
than she," said Elsie, thoughtfully.
Married her for her money. prob
ably" said Charlie, as he sat down to
his supper.
Elsie began the banner-screen the
next morning. Old Mr. jenkins had
been repaid his loan with interest, the
landlord was paid, score Of petty debts
had been settled in various directions,
and still there remained little residue
in the family treasury. No wonder that
the golden-haired girl sung at her work.
MIR. Viyyan called the next day to
take Miss Somers TO "Neediework
Exhibition" where there was a device
of water-ily buds. something similar TO
the tiower-de-luce stalks.
Afterwards he bought book of old
engravings, with illuminated borders,
for her to look at; and there was the
Renaissance to discuss, and the grow
ing pattern on the old gold satin TO
criticize.
And one day Mrs. Vivyan herself
wrote q note to Elsie:
Il want YOU to come and look at my
conservatory portjerCS," she said
They are stiff and ugly. and / know
that YOU could remodel them l have
heard so much of your artistic skill that
| am beginning to have great faith in
YOU"
And Elsie entered the rich lady's car
riSge, and was driven to Lowndes
Square. Mrs. Fivyan welcomed her
with the sweetest grace and cordiality.
'Aiy DEAR" she said. Il am glad to
see you.'
Elsie glanced timidly at her. Oh, how
old and wrinkied she seemed, to be MS
wife!
Your husband told me-" she be-
gan.
My husbandn' repeated The elder
lady. Il have no husband, child.
have been widow for fifteea years. Il
isn't possible that you mistook Herbert
for-my husband! 1t isn't possible. my
little shy beauty. that you are ignorant
that he loves you?"
Elsie turned first red. then pale; she
m .ght have fallen if her arm had not
been gently drawn through a stronger
one.
Mother" said Mr.. Vivyan, "you
have spoken too abruptly. Miss Somers
is taken by surprise y
''Well,' said Mrs. Vivyan. smiling.
''go and look at the conservatory pro
ticres. | will wait for you here"
The end of it all is easily to be con
jectured. Mrs. Somers' oretty dauyh-
ter is queen Of the Lowdues Sqn&re
house and q pretty country abode in
Kent, and Mrs Vivyan senior has sub
sided into a graceful dowager.
Mrs. Somers tolls no longer now, and
little Charlie has exchanged the drudg-
cry of the shop for school.
And all this romance grew out Of
tangle Of hower-de-luce blossoms ard
wild vine-leaves,
SO truth is oftentimes stranger than
fiction.
In tnlrtv or the IyOnoO0 t,oaru SCHOOLS