The Press., 1883-08-16
\ sCHoOL-GIRL-s FORTUNE.

sums was over exhibition, with it's white muslin, ros0- -garlands, and blue -ribboned diplomas, was at an end and that Fife Parker knew that she was about to enter on the threshold of new life.
 Most girls rejoice when this last day of school edawns upon them, but Fife was unlike other girls ill more respects than one.
 Fife Parker was an orphan, under the rather reluctant guardianship of bachelor uncle, and his house was all the home she looked forward to. Other young graduates were talking of their parents and brothers and sisters; even of their pet birds and plants; but Fife was all alone
 '4 wouldn't cry!'' said Lucy Brown, bouncing upon her solitude, and throwing both plump arms about her neck. "Tell me, Fife, what makes you cry ?" :: bed poor Fife.
 70, nonsense v cried Lucy Brown. "Why should you cry? You might, in deed, with some show of reason, if you were like me, booked to go out as gov erness, and earn your bread by the sweat of your brow. For I haven't even an un- cle 10 go to !' '-s.s' @- '~'@ '-'. a-- H. F-s'
 Lucy was a short, plump, dumpling of a
 
 short rings all over her head, big blue eyes ike those of china doll, and just enough of an upward curve to her nose to give her m indescribable air of sauciness. And she wore gingham dresses because they were cheap, and washed her ribbons in gum arabic water, and darned her gloves until they were more "mend". than material. And withal, she was the most 2oiquoaat and most stylish looking little girl in all Mad anne Metour's establishment. "But I'm afraid of Uncle Gerald, :" fal- tered Effie--''to be there all alone with nim" f<-a
 "Does he scold?" asked Lucy, sympa- thetically.
 ''N-no, but" ........
 "I'n go home with you" said Lucy. Come My engagements to teach the line little boys of Mrs. McManahan does aot begin until next month, and I'd as soon go home with you as to stay here among the lexicons and French gram mars.
 ''Darling Lucy, if you only would !" ex- claimed Fife, giving her schoolmate such J hug as nearly choked her.
 ':Two of 'em !'A calculated MT. Gerald Vane, dropping his niece's letter in de- spair. Mrs. Caldwell P
 "Slr ?" said the trim housekeeper, whose cap borders were marvel of clear starch and Italian futing. .-.......
 'There's two of lem coming.''
 "Dear me, sir is there indeed ?" said Mrs. Caldwell. 'tAll the better, I should say: The old house needs brightening up little; 1t is as dull as convent"
 And what is to become of my scientific experiments and natural history investiga- | oh hnJp11 %1 l.f Mir. Vane, indignantly.
 :. "Well, sir" coughed Mrs. Caldwell, eff 1t aln't making too, bold, I think you're too much wrapped up in those heatienish doings. And two nice little girls to edu, cate and"
 'Two nice little girls? Are you mad, Mrs. Caldwell? Why, my niece is eighteen at least, and the other one-Lucy Brown, as she calls her-must be as old if not old er."
 ,, "Dear heart, sir, you're forty six, and I'm ten good years more" said Mrs. Cald- well, arranging the folds of the crimson damask curtains, "ard if these ain't little glrls compared to us, should respectfully ilke to know what you would call them"
 "Humph p said Mr. Vane. s'Dinner at six, Mrs. Caldwell" ," ......'..-....
 Mrs. Caldwell ccurtesied and retired. cogitating within herself what she should prepare to tempt the appetites of the ex- pected new corners.
 Oh, isn't this nice," said Lucy Brown, dancing about tho broad mosaic-payed hall Ill sort of impromptu valse step. ssI- dear me, what have done ?'' .~.s'3
 For her flying skirts had caught in the top of large glass jar, and crash l! it came on the marble floor.
 Dear me-" said Mrs. Caldwell, ''its one d the masters chemicals, as he fusses over. like they was liquid gold" sWhl he be very angry?" whispered Lucy, with her eyes, like blue marbles = "hlie Efhe began to cry. .sz-1s .rs'z... 7
 Let's run to our room as fast as we sany she ffaltered, .'loefore Uncle Gerald ''No, ''said Lucy, 'yaliantly. sswhere is Mr. vane |? I'll go and tell him at once Mir. vane, as tall figure was seen enter ng through g side door, ''I broke the jar r
 Did you, indeed?, Miss Brown, I pre- with formal bow. as Fife came timidly forward to kiss him. .-=. .rr
 'Isn't he handsome, /" Lucy whispered to her schoolmate, as they went upstairs together. .fs1N te15s.f
 sBut he's so stern. looking" ]" sighed Elf fie. "Never mind let's get dressed for dinner as quick as we can, for uncle can't bear to be kept waiting." ':,. ............ ..s
 Lucy Brown, whose one dyed silk dress required no long and painful adjustment, was soon attired and down in the garden.
 "Dear me, said. Lucy, shere's whole box of frogs Some cruel boy has shut them up! I'll just run down to the brook and give them their liberty"
 She was proceeding. when Mrs. Gala well called to her ffon the V indow.
 "Miss Lucyi Miss Lucy.!"
 s"OF you go, froggies!ts Don't they jump charmingly ]" Lucy cried, clapping her hands, as one by one the reptiles plashed into their native element.
 j, ''What did you say, Mrs. Ca aldwell 9'' 'tA
 The housekeepe tered groan of de- spairl 4... essJ, see. .,se
 ''Mr. Gerald's frogs. that he'a been try ing some scientific experiment. with, these three days ]" she uttered.
 'sOh, dear," said Lucy, with a comical gesture of terror, I've been and gone and lone it again. really do think I was porn under an unlucky starI'
 Three weeks Lucy Brown remained guest at Vane Hall three weeks.of unmit- Igated disaster, tfibulationa and deyasta- hon. She broke the sash of MT. Vanes ,amellia-h house; she lost his pet Italian she tipped bo5le of ink over an essay he had just completed for the "Savant's Monthly, :, and ruined his collection of dried butterflies by accidently sitting down on them when they were air