The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-10-03
STRANGELY MET.


We'll, I am really very sorry =
sighed Mrs. Evans, looking ruefully
at the small pile of bank notes in
her lap, and then at her fair daugh-
tiers, Bell and Augusta, who were
standing near her, examining a
wreath of flowers.
Pm sorry, too, mamma, SAID
Bell.
TO be sure, Elsie ought to be pro-
vided for her visit, put you know she
is the youngest, and we
why, we can't go out without de-
cent dressesr chimed in Miss Angus
Ia.
Il won't for one, / know
Never mind my London visit,
said little Elsie, the plain sister OF
these petted girls, as she quietly en-
tered the room and overheard the
conversation. 4 would as soon go
and spend a week with Aunt Laura,
and that won't take very much prep
aration.'
Would you really p asked Mrs.
Evans, hesitating between selfish
wish to please her beauties, and
what was only justice to the young
girl beside her.
L really would, ma. | dare say
would not be at home among those
city people. Just let me go to Aunt
Laura's, and give Gus and Bell all
the finery.'
We'll, that relieves my mind won
derfully 7 said Mrs. Evans, with a
very long sigh. Il didn't know how
to arrange for you all. Three girls
are so expensive. You can have my
last winters cloak, Elsie, for one
thing
No, she can have mine, mamma,
cried Bell. It's little out
of style for me, but it will do very
well for Elsie, and then,I'll get a new
one"
well, yours, then, agreed Mrs.
Evans, and I'll try to save enough
out of the girls shopping, Elsie, to
get you black cashmere
Then | shall be grand = said easi-
ly contented Elsie. May | go next
week :?
Yes
Go to work and get ready. Come,
girls. If we want to do any shop
ping to-day, we must 60 immedi-
ataly.'
And I'll get dinner while you are
gone Elsie consoled them by ad-
ding.
So, while the mother, Gus and
Bell tossed over the glittering silks
on snowy counters, patient Elsie
heated herself in the kitchen-where
her beautiful sisters would never go
if they could help ito have din
ner all ready for them.
1t was waiting when they returned,
tired, and with good appetites, from
their shopping. After 1t was eaten,
Elsie followed them all into the sit
ting room, to see the new purchases
commented on and very nicely dis
played.
Well, where's my black CASH
mere p she asked, after the last bun
die was unrolled, and not as much
as a neck ribbon given her.
'Ch! / am SO sorry, but really
there wasn't a shilling left after the
girls shopping was done, and So
And so l got none, like Mother
dog suggested Elsie, try
ing to laugh, but feeling inclined to
cry.
She had very much wished to go
to London, and now she had given
that up, she did think that she had
a right to one new dress.
We'll, it does seem too bad con-
fessed Augusta, but you can be pref
ty well dressed out of our things.
Let's see, ma. She might travel in
her black ulster, and have my gray
poplin for best
No, III travel in the gray poplin,
and spoil it as quickly as can y
flashed Elsie, reused for once.
Why, Elsie?' mildly reproved
Mrs. Evans.
well, mamma, you know l look
horrid in gray. My waterproof will
cover it up when l travel, and my
black ulster will do for best, but /
wish she only finished her SEN
tence with a sigh. She would not
say, 81 wish you would have got me
the cashmere" it would seem too
much like blaming her mother.
Mrs. Evans thought it best not to
notice the abruptly ended sentence,
but propos, d to the girls that they
let her dress their hair at once.
There was a party on the cards
for the evening, and their mother,
having a gift in that line, often acted
as hair dresser to her lovely maid
ems. They were ready, in their dain-
ty robes and snowy gloves -four but
tons, too,) when their cavaliers ar
rived, and away they went SO gaily,
while Elsie, at home. mended her
old gloves, and made her simple
preparations for her journey. She
was asleep long before they came
home. But at breakfast the next
morning, they went into raptures
over such a delightful partyp And
especially over Mr.. Lowell. the BROTH
er of their hostess, such splendid
fellow So very handsome, and
worth thousands, think of thatp
of course he would look hand
some then, if he were really hideous,
observed Elsie, coolly.
He's going away for few days,
but he promised to call when he
comes back. You just ought to see