New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1882-02-01

gotten. Ipainted the little blue satin
banner for you last Wednesday, when
it rained and we hadn't many custom
ers, and designed it myself. and it
cost you nothing but the materials. =
| The custOmer-the same pleasant,
middle-aged gentleman who had been
| so generous about the damaged kid
gloves the day before-looked at Lily
| with smile.
Madame Bonardi's brow darkened,
but she affected great calm and sweet
ness of demeanor.
..You are mistaken Miss Bethunc,''
said she hurriedly. '.It's quite another
screen of which you are thinking. Per-
haps, Mr.. Castleton, you would like to
see our new styles in blotting books and
inkstands?''
And she hurried the gentleman on.
That evening 1t was Saturday.
the girls came up, as usual. TO Madame
BonardIs desk to be paid, Lily Bethune
was discharged.
'.But why do you send me away?''
cried Lily. appalled, and incredulous.
''You do not suit me at ALL" was all
tho response that Madame Bonardi
made. and so the poor girl went to her
cheerless home, and told her mother,
with many tears, that she was out of q
place.
'.But Lily, dearest. how are we to
livep' said feeble Mrs. Bethune, who
lad always accustomed herself to lean
upon her child.
II must find another situation" said
Lily. And so she invested few cents
in a paper, and diligently set herself
at work to study out its advertise
ments.
But all to no avail. And SO, on Mon
day morning, she carried an antique
Dresden china vase. one of the last rel
les of her fathers study at the dear old
parsonage, to . ''ladies' exchange bu-
reau'' x one OF those places where
shrinking, decayed gentlewomen bring
their poor treasures to be disposed of,
and starving amateurs display painted
plaques, crayons, water-colors and oil
| pictures.
'.Dear me, my child" said the plump
old lady in white cap-string and rust
ling satin skirts, who sat al the table.
"this vase is worth nothing. Don't
you see that it has been cracked and
mended with cement?''
II don't expect to get as much for it
as if it was perfect said Lily hurried
ly; '.but-''
''It's no use leaving it here" said the
plump old lady. eyes. see its quite
old, and the colors are exquisite. but
there's that horrid zig-zag crack, that
renders it quite unsaleable.' -
Lily Bethune was turning mournfully
away, when the door opened and in
walked the very gentleman of kid glove
memory. He raised his hat with q sud
den CLEAN of courteous recognition on
his face; she bowed mechanically,
never pausing to think that they had
never been formally introduced.
ooh, stop minute" said the old la
dy. ''Mr. Castleton is interested In
such things. Perhaps Mr.. Castleton
would buy your Dresden vase.'
Lily held up her poor little bit of
faience.
Il have lost my place at Madame
Bonardi's.'' said she, in answer to his
questioning glance. II told the truth
about that blue satin screen that you
were looking at, and Madame Bonardi
! thought that falsehood would have
answered better. And we are very
| poor, mamma and ME, and am trying
| to sell this old Dresden vase"
1T is very rare and curious" said
| Mr.. Castleton, inspecting it critically.
''What do you ask for it?''
.'Would five dollars be too much?''
Lily timidly asked.
Give" cried the dizletante enthusi-
astically. II will give you fifteen
''Fifteen!' Lily drew long breath of
delight. .:But perhaps you haven't
observed--it is cracked, and has been
mended," she said in low tone.
Mr.. Castleton smiled.
Il observe everything" said he.
''And | will buy your little Dresden
vase, Miss-Miss-'
''Bethune," said Lily innocently.
So they became acquainted after this
very unconventional manner.
Mr.. Castleton. who, although Lily
did not know it, was one of the princely
philanthropists of the great city, went
with her to her mothers home to see
tete-0-tete set of rare old Indian china
which had been an heirloom to her
from her OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES if
Lily could have read what was passing
in his heart, as he walked homeward
along the narrow street, she might have
been surprised.
''She is perfect little Jewell" said
Mr.. Castleton to himself. IAN uundis-
covered diamonds rose in the garden
of thorns. I wonder now if people
would think me fool if
And in another week he boldly de-
clared, still to himself, that he didn't
care fivepence if people did call him
fool, il
ut is Lily Bethune's opinion, and
hers alone. that must settle it r. said
MIR. Castleton.
Madame Borardi was very much sur
prised. So was the world in general.
But Lily was radiantly happy. She
loved Mr.. Castleton, and she was sure
that he loved her.
And the poor shop-girls behind Mad.
anne Bonardi's counter looked at Lily
when she came in to buy lace or trim
kets, as they might look at Cinderella
herself. isn't it just like 3 fairy
story?' said they. -
AS if life itself were anything differ
ent from magnificent fairy tale.