The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-05-05
LAURA'S MISTAKE.

| 4uisS NCH, W 'tStSpis IA.
satin overskrt, ruilling skirt belt, SOB.
That ALL" said the tired girl, letting
her pencil drop, and breathing Il sigh of
relief
Il hope she will pay you to night mur-
INJURED Mrs. Stetson.
'She is well aware of our needs" was
the sad reply. cat the same time she
carries her old habits of saving into her
new life, for she knows shall not charge
one-h&lf the price that a regular dress
maker would. She would have to pay
| Nine. Soli!fe 500 at least
"Well, it's a shame" replied her
mother, that you can't get the regular
price when you do your work as well.
Time was when our father could have
| bought and sold Walter Hayden, and
now you must work your fingers off for
his daughter, who has neither your edu
cation, nor
"Oh. don't mamma" pleaded Laura
with little laugh that was partly hys-
terical. You only make it worse for me,
you sec, calling up old times. Just say
1t will all come right in the fall, as papa
used TO-, and with the smile still on her
lips, she turned her troubled eyes away.
For poor, proud Laura, earning
Scanty living for her mother and herself,
had a memory of the IIaydens hidden
in her heart.
When Bart Hayden had gone away,
only year before, she had thought of
him for months after, nay, even till now
with quickened pulse and heightened
color. The llaydens were not wealthy
then; but within short time they had
come into fortune, and it was rumored
that young Bart was also growing rich
through lucky speculation.
1t was now just nine months since tie
death of Laura's father. He had drop
ped down suddenly while apparently in
the full enjoyment of health; and after
the funeral it was found that his affairs
were in tangled condition. In fact.
only small house as left to the widow.
| through the consideration of creditors,
and chat far from comfortably furnished.
Laura the child Of wealth and fashion.
her fathers idol. delicate. thorough
bred. elegant gill who had heretofore
summed herself in the warm rays of pros
perity, and hardly knew whether she had
heart or not, proved her self a heroine.
Whatever she could find to do she work
cd at with all her heart. Plain sewing.
embroidery. dressmaking, for which she
had a talent. and concerning which she
had often laughingly said. that if she
had not been rich she might have bee n
famous; everything was undertaken wi
lingly. She accepted the situation,
though not without some struggles ard
pride and many secret tears
MIS-. Stetson thought of the time who
carriage was at the call Of her beaut:-
ful darling.
Dear, can take it," she asked.
gazing at her anxi"u>ly. lyon look ill., :"
1" am iil-,hat is. my head aches, but
the walk will do me good" Laura re-
spondrd. trying to lock bright. "Do
you think wculd let Aon carry home
my work No, iEdeed.' aud she bert
over and kissed her mothers forehead.
Out in the open air she felt better.
The nervous depression from which she
suffered gradually left her, and she be-
came interested i'll the sights and sounds
about her. Some of her former auauint-
anceS passed hci. IL few with "A nod of
recognition, but most Without noticing
her at all-.ittle stIngS these were. but
she held her bundle firmly. lifted her
| head a tritie higher, and passed hraveIy
on. Turning corner she came full upon
an unexpected tableau. \ smartly Dire S.
ed boy, with feather in his cap. kick, d
ana struggled with his nurse who vaiuiy
was purple.
why, Lucy! Why, Benny, cxclaim-
| ed Laura, for the girl was nurse maid at
the Hay dens, and Benny the youngest
hope of the house. Whats all thiso"
Deed, Miss, he's awful" said tie
girl, nearly crying. When he NAL es
up his mind, it "A tiger he is. Just st e
hun now?'
Laura spoke a few words to the boy in
Il low tone, and lie ceased struggling for
a moment.
We're all at skies and sevens," said
the nurse, land the missus is orlul ncr-
vous. Mr.. Bart's just returned from
Californy, without no warning at all, and
brought beautiful young lady with hIm.
| do suppose it's his wife, from what
heard-and it quite upset the missus, and
made such il time. Now there's that
policeman, SO you better come
| Laura heard, and for moment street
and houses whirl found SO that she had
much to do to keep herself from fainting
The words ring in her ears, = do sup
pose it, his wife, The strange and sud
den revulsion of feeling passed, however,
leaving her deadly pale. Certainly Bart
had a perfect right to get married; pei
feet right to forget her-of course he had.
Men had done such things ever since the
flood, and would, probably, to the end OF
time.
The blood burnt her face now; but as
she came i'll sight of the dwelling 1t re-
coded, leaving her pale aud almost faint
She stormed at herself for being So
suprcm.ly foolish; but the teas We're
very near her tired eyes lor all that.
Huge trunks blocked up the hail. \
loud, CHEEKY voice sounded, that struck
woeiully against her heart; and the first
person she saw was stalwart, handsome
Bart Hay den, just coming forward as lie
issued his orders to the men who were
taking the boxes up stairs.
Laura-my dear Miss Stetson-' eA-
claimed the young man hurry ing toward
her.
But Laura's face was like steel. She
made a cold little bow.
Welcome home, Mr.. Hayden" she
said, i'll set, cold voice. Il came to
bring some she could not say word
- something for Your sister. | gener-
ally 90 to her room. Is she there
He fell back little. Strange how the
light went out of his face.
III rather think she may be engag-