The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1882-08-31

er's side.
"What is it, mother dear? Has
anything happened?''
But the old lady sobs On, and it is
Sarah who answers, holding a let
ter to Pussy to read.
'sIt is this that is the matter. Mr.
Elbermarle, through his agent, tells
us that we must pay up the full
amount of the morts age within two
weeks or leave the house,
Pussy's eyes dilate; she knows the
|slende5ness of the home exchequer,
and that to pay such q large sum
upon such a short notice will be an
utter impossibility.
''Oh, dear, what shall we do?
How cruel of that rich Mr.. Elbe emarle
to turn us out of house and home,
when he is rolling in wealth p
Sarah turns her eyes tenderly yet
anxiously upon the pretty, indignant
face she evidently has something
to say which does not come easily
"You are the one who can prevent
such disaster, Pussy she says at
length. s'One word from you and
our feeble mother will not have to
leave the home she loves so WE'LL"
Il can help it-how?''
Sarah evades the upturned, ques-
tioning eyes.
"Mr. Law was here this morning,
Pussy, and-he wants to marry
YOU
The last words came in a great
hurry, as though the speaker were
glad to have them over and done
with.
With gesture of dismay Pussy
shakes her long ringlets about her
face and sinks down in little heap
upon the floor.
s.That old man wants me to marry
him. and 1 am only seventeen! Oh,
Sarah. could you honestly harbor
such an idea for mornent?" world
of reproach in the young voice.
Sarah's hand falls gently on the
bowed head.
Il know it is dreadful even to
think of. But, Pussy, what other
way is there? Think of mother-of
her feebleness, which has always
kept me tied to her side, preventing
my even thinking Of obtaining any
employment. If we have to leave
the old home it will surely be her
death. Look at her now.''
Pussy glances up. The invalid's
face is covered with both hands,
while through the thin fingers the
bitter tears are stealing.
PUSSY, come here.''
She rises and goes to her mothers
side.
"My pet. do not heed what your
sister says. She means it for the
best, but she has thought only for
me. Surely you do not think your
mother would purchase comfort at
the expense of her child's happl-
ness.''
All at once Pussy's resolve is tax.
en-, though she says nothing then to
her mother, only presses a kiss on
the dear gray head. But a short
while later she appears at the door
bonneted and cloaEed, with a little
basket on her arm, and beckons
Sarah out.
You said you wanted sugar and
eggs from the village, Sarah, and I'm
going for them now. [ wanted to
tell you that I've thought over what
you said about Mr. Law, and I've
come to the conclusion that it
wouldn't be so bad lot after all to
be a rich old mans darling.''
Compunctious tears spring to Sa-
rah's eyes as she stoops and kisses
the innocent young face, and watch.
es as. outwardly light hearted and
cherry, Pussy starts upon her long
wintry walk. Her brave words and
manner have not deceived her sister.
81 ought to be ashamed to think
of allowing ner To sacrifice her young
life." she thinks, as she goes back ;
''but it is for the dear mothers sake,
and what other way is there?''
Pussy walks On, pretty picture
in her dark suit with its scarlet pip
ings, and the lovely face whose
brilliance no heart trouble can quite
quench.
1t is very cold overhead the sky
is gray and the wind skur-ies the
clouds along at a rapid rate, and
plays many a prank with Pussy's
hair, now blowing 1t forward into the
rosy face, and now backward into
dishevelled, curling, brown masses.
A steep incline is before her. and it
is one dazzle of ice.
"Oh. dear !'' thinks Pussy. 81
shall certainly fall.''
The thought has scarcely passed
through her mind when, with an ex.
clamation of dismay. her feet slip
from beneath her, and down she
goes.
Some one sees her and hastens to
her assistance but masculine boots
cannot always tread dangerous
spots in safety any more than the
tiniest of feminine feet, such as
Pussy's. and there is exclamation
numhor two &c with q 6oo;1ol 4h,l