The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-10-04
STRANGELY Ell.

Well, l am really very sorryl" sighct
Mrs, Evans, looking ruefully at tho
small pile of bank-notes in her lap, and
then at her fair daughters, Bell ant
Augusta, who were standing near her
examining a wreath Of flowers.
I'm sorry, too mamma," says Miss
Bell.
''To be sure Elsie ought to be pro-
vidcd for her visit, but you know she
is the youngest, and we-''
"Why, we can't 60 out without de,
cent dresses!" chimed in Miss Augusta.
II Won't, for one, Know"
"Never mind my London visit, "said
little Elsie, the plain sister Of these
petted girls, as she quietly entered the
room and overheard the conversation.
II would as soon go and spent week
with aunt Laura, and that WON'T take
much preparation"
''Would you really?" asked Mrs.
Evans, hesitating between selfish
wish to please her beauties, and what
was only Justice to the young girl be-
side her.
81 really would, ma. l dare say ]
should not be at home among those city
people. Just let me go to aunt Lau-
ra's, and give Gus and Bell all the
tinery.''
"Well, that relieves my mind VOL
derfully!" said Mrs. Evans, with very
long sigh. l didn't know how TO ar
range for you all. Three girls are SO
expensive. "You can have my last
winters cloak, Elsie, for one thing.''
mo, she can have mine, mamma, u
eagerly cried Bell. "It'S Il littly out
OF style for me, but II will do yo,y well
for Elsie, and I'll get new one"
"Well, yours, them" agreed Mrs,
Evans; land iii try to save enough
out Of the girls shopping, Elsie. to get
you new black C. shmere.''
''Then l shall be grandp' said easily
contented Elsie. "May go next
weekl"
"Yes.
''Go to work and get ready. Come
girls. Ii we want to do any shopping
Today, we must 60 immediately"
And I'll get dinner while you are
gone," Elsie consoled them by adding.
SO while the mother, Gus, and Bel
tossed over the glittering silks OH snowy
counters, patient Elsie heated herself
i'll the. kitchcn-where her beautiful
sisters would never go if they coulC
help ito have dinner all ready fol
them. 1t WAS waiting when they return
ed, tired, and with good appetiles. from
their shopping. After it was eaten
Elsie followed them all into the sitting
room, to sec the new purchases com
mented Oh and nicely displayed
"Well, where'smy black cashmerc?''
she asked, after the last bundle wa
nt
ribbon gwen to her.
"Ohl | am SO sorry, but really there
wasn't a shilling left after the girls
shopping was done, and SD" "Ant
SO got none, like Mother Hubbard!
dog" suggested Elsie, trying to laugl
but feeling inclined 10 cry. She hat
very much wished to go to London
and now She had given that up, she
did think that she had Il right 10 ont
new dress.
"Well, 1t does seem too DadI" con
fesscd Augusta, ''Dut you can be prett,
well dressed out OF our things. Let
see, ma. ''She might travel in he
black lustcr, and have my gray poplil
tor best :"
NO, I'll travel in the gray popln
and spoil it as quickly as ! CAMP iIasllet
Elsie, reused for, once.
"Why, Elsie2" mildly reproved Mrs
Evans.
"Well, mammal you know l lool
| horrid III gray. My waterproof VII
cover it up when travel, and my blacl
luSter will do for best, but l wisll-'
| she only finished her sentence with
sigh. She would not Say, III wish yo1
had got the cashmere,' il w uld seen
too much like blaming her mother.
Mrs. Evans thought it best not t.
notice the abruptly-ended sentence, bl,
proposed to the girls that they let he
dress their hair at once.
| There was II party OH the cards fo
the evening, and their mother, having
a gift in tnat line, often acted as haii
dresser to her lovely maidens. The
were ready, i'll their dainty robes an
snowy gloves tour buttons, too), whe
their cavaliers arrived, and away the
went SO gaily, while Elsie, at home
! mended her ola gloves, and made he
simple preparations for her journey
She was asleep long before they cam
home. But at breakfast the next morn
ing, they went into raptures over "suc
IL delighted partyp' And especial
over Mr.. Lowell, the brother Of thei
hostess, "such Il splendid fellowl $
very handsome, and worth thousands
think OF that!"
"Of course he would look handsome
then If he weio really hideous," oh
served Elsie coolly.
He's gong away for few days, bu
he promised 70 call when he comes back
You just ought to see him, Elsie,
declared Miss Bell, without noticing
Elsie's caustic remark. "he's 50 hand
somel"
cit makes very little difference to m