Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-07-13
LhURA'S MISTAKE.


q sigh of relief.
Il hope she will pay you tonight"
murmured Mrs. Stetson.
'.She is well aware of our needs
was the sad reply. AT The same
time she carries her old habits of
saving into her new life, for she knows
[ shall not charge one half the price
that regular dressmaker would.
She would have to pay Madame
Joliffe 500 at the least
well, it's a shame" replied her
mother. that you can't get the reg
plar price when you do your work as
well. Time was when your father
could have bought and sold Walter
Hayden, and now you must work
your fingers off for his daughter, who
has neither your education, nor"
"Oh, don't mammal pleaded Laura,
with a little laugh that was partly
hysterical. You only make il worse
for me, you see. calling up old times.
Just say it 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 a
scanty living for her mother and her
self, had a memory of the Haydens
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 Haydens 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 just nine months since the
death of Laura's father. He had
dropped down suddenly while ap-
parently in the full enjoyment of
health; and after the funeral it was
found that his affairs were in tan
gled condition. In fact, only small
house was left to the widow, through
the consideration Of creditors, and
that far from being comfortably fur
nished
Laura, the child of wealth and
fashion, her fathers idol, delicate,
thoroughbred, elegant girl who had
heretofore summed herself in the warm
rays of prosperity, and hardly knew
whether she had heart or not,
proved herself heroine. Whatever
she could find to do she worked 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 been famous; everything
was undertaken willingly. She ao
cepted the situation, though not with
out some struggles with pride and
many secret tears.
Mrs. Stetson thought of the time
when carriage was at the call of hel
darling.
"Dear. can't I take it," she asked
gazing at her anxiously. You lool
i'll"
81 am ill-that is, my head aches
but the walk will do me good" Laura
responded, trying to look bright
"Do you think would let you carry
home my work. No, indeedw and
she bent 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 became interested in the sights
and sounds about her. Some of her
former acquaintance passed her, a
few with a nod of recognition, but
most without noticing her at all;
little stings these were, but she held
her bundle firmly, lifted her head a
trife higher, and passed bravely on.
Turning corner she came full upon
an unexpected tableau. A smartly
dressed boy, with a feather in his
cap, kicked and struggled with his
nurse, who vainly pulled the obstinate
child till her face was purple.
"Why, Lucy! Why, Bennyw ex
claimed Laura, for the girl was nurse
maid at the Haydens', and Benny
the youngest hope of the house.
"Whats all this"
"Deed, miss. he's awful" said the
girl, nearly crying. "When he makes
up his mind, it's tiger he is. Just
see him now!"
Laura spoke few words to the
boy in a low tone, and he ceased
struggling for a moment.
"We're all at skies and sevens,"
said the nurse, "and the missus is
orful nervous. MIR. Bart's just re-
turned from Californy, without no
warning at all, and brought beauti-
full young lady with him. I do sup
pose it's his wife, from what heard
and it quite upset the missus, and
made such time. Now there's that
policeman. SO you'd better Gomez
Laura heard, and for a moment
street and houses whirled round SO
that she had SO much ado to keep
herself from fainting The words
rang in her ears, Il do suppose it's
his wife" The strange and sudden
revulsion of feeling passed, however.
leaving her deadly pale. Certainly
Bart had perfect right to get mar
ried; perfect 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 in sight of the dwell
ing itreceded, leaving her pale and
almost faint. She stormed at herself
for being SO supremely foolish; but
the tears were very near her tired
eyes, for all that.
huge trunks blocked up the hall.
A loud, CHEEKY voice sounded, that
struck wofully against her heart; and
the first person she saw was stalwart,
handsome Bart Hayden, just coming
forward as he issued his orders to
the men who were taking the boxes
up stairs.
"Laura-my dear Miss Stetson"
exclaimed the young man, hurrying
toward her
But Laura's face was like steel.
She made cold little bow.