The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1882-03-28

mamma poses in the great chair, and
dreams of embroidery work ard
tapestry stitch; and II am expect
ed to learn Arabic aud Sanscrit, and
nobody knows what else, and ignore
our wretched poverty. But | can't |!
Who could ?"
Mr.. Crofton looked pityingly at the
girls sparkling eyes, and pale, excited
face.
Il am very sorry to hear this,
said he. Can nothing be done?"
"Yes," said Miss Monteagle. brus-
quely. Something can be done
and am doing it, in so fai as | can.
But papa and mamma must not be al
lowed to suspect it. am-learning
q trade"
You" he echoed. "a trade"
"There'sa factory near here, she
said, calmly. The country girls can
earn little pocket money there OH
shirts. am to have a machine as
soon as ! have learned 10 manage il.
[ 60 every evening, while papa fam
cies | am at the Greek and Latin, to
farmer Pelham's, whose wife teaches
me the use of the machine. | am
learning homework. too. | made the
mayOnnaise for your salad to-day, and
/ baked the bread. Our servant can
do nothing of the sort. But it would
kill mamma to think that / stopped,
as she would call it. to mental labor.
"You are quite right" said Mr..
Crofton.
"That is what l wauted to know"
said Mary, hastily. Because. liv-
ing here all by myself. in such
strange, unnatural atmosphere, |
sometimes get confused, and scarcely
know right from wrong"
"But they will have to know it
when"
"When really 60 into the factory"
said Mary. Eyes L know that. But
until then, l would fain spare them
the pang. l am to have dollar a
day, Mrs. Pelham says. if operate
the machine skillfully. And a dollar
a day will buy mamma many lux
ury, and 60 far toward paying the
grocer and the baker"
"You are a noble GIRL" said Mr..
Crofton, warmly; and in his eye, at
that moment, Mary Monteagle was
gloritied with rare beauty, as she |
stood there. the fresh wind blowing
her jetty curls about, the reflection |
of orange sunset deepening the color
on her cheek, and the grave, PARKWAY !
sparkle of her eyes half yelled be-
meath the long lashes. And if /
could be of any assistance to you in
this task"
"YOu can" said the girl, abruptly. |
"You can stay here and amuse papa, |
80 that he shall not suspect what Oc-
cupies my time. You can divert his
from Sanscrit and Arabic,
and all these mysteries"
And. for the first time i'm his ex-
perience of her. Mary Monteagle-a
mellow. bird-like laugh.
81 WILL" said Mr.. Crofton, heartily |
And SO the compact was sealed be-
tween them.
Instead of the week he had prom
ised his father to spend with old Colo
mel MonteagIe the sojourn was ex-
tended to three.
At the end of that period, he |
graveIv addressed himself to the dark
eyed daughter of the house.
How is the trade - he said.
81 am to have a machine next
week." said Mary, with the conscious
pride of one who has conquered
fac; land then-only think of it.
Mr.. Crofton-I shall earn a dol ar a !
day."
"Mary," said Mr.. Crofton, serious
", Il have been thinking of another
plan for you. You tell me that this
farmers wife has made first-class
housekeeper of you" |
Il baked mince pie yesterday"
SAID Mary, exultantly; "and | have
quilted a quilt and made soft soap, |
within the week J"
81 don't like the idea IF your going |
into a factory" said Mr.. CroftOn.
Suppose DOW, by way of variety.
you were tO-marry me J"
"But you're not in love with me |"
said Mary, opening her bright, black
eyes.
but I am" said Mr.. Crofton, with
great gravity. 81 have deliberately
made up my mind that | can't be
happy without you. Aud although |
don't profess to he a rich man, | be-
lieve can make you better allow
ance than six dollars a week. while at
the same time you will not be COM