Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-07-27
WHY I PAY BILLS WHEN DUE ;
OR, AUNT GRACE's STORY.

WHY PAY BILLS WHEN DUE;
OR, AUNT GRACE's STORY.
"Oh, dear 70 said Rose Howard, as she
looked at the paper which the servan,
handed her. THAT wretched girl is in 8
desperate hurry to send in her bill for en-
broidery. Twenty dollars just what l ha6
saved to pay for the bonnet and gloves
which l must have If I go to Mrs. Lori
mer's reception. did not expect this bill
until l had my next months allowance
Well, she must wait, that's ALL
II would not make her wait, if 1 vert
you, Rose" said Miss GraceiRowan, look
ing up from her sewing.
"Why, it is only ton days." said Rose
''Papa always gives me my allowance or
the first day of the month, and to-day i.
the twenty-frst.
'Neverthe would pay her bill to-
day." said Miss Rowan, earnestly. "If it
will be of any use to you I would much
Father lend you the money. I can, prob
ably, do without it better than she can. ,
"Thank you, Aunt Grace. but that
| would not do at all, said Rose. when
papa consented to give mo a regular al.
lowance it was on condition that should
never borrow penny of any one. But why
are you so anxious that the bill should be
paid at once? Do you know anything
about this girl that you are so sure she is
in need of the money ?''
No" said Miss Rowan, II know moth
ing about her. 1t is only on general prin-
ciples that 1 am speaking. Not exactly
either. If you choose will tell you why
never delay day in paying bill sent in
by a poor person, above all by a poor
young girl.'
"a story said Rose, gayly. Sob, that
is delightful. am as fond of stories now
as was at ten years old. 1t just comes at
the right time, too, for mamma wants me
to finish this table cloth, and l do get so
tired of these conventional borders, Just
the same thing over and over, but story
will make me forget it. Do go on, aunty."
Rose settled herself comfortably In her
low sewing chair. and dropped her dark
lashes over her pretty blue eyes. Aunt
Grace smiled Il little at her eagerness, then
sighed family and began her tale.
sit is story of tine Gays wnen 1 was an
elderly young girl, living at home with my
parents" she said. And the heroine of
the story-you remember those flower
paintings which you have SO often admir-
ed at my home. Rose 2''
Remember them? OF course I do,
Those great velvety ransies with the dew
drops standing upon their purple petals.
And the sweet peas with rings of dainty
flush over tremulous white, cooking as if
breath would blow them away. And,
oh aunty those exquisite maple-buds and
catkins, the soft, furry white PUSHES
mingled with the bright scarlet of the
bursting buds. 1t is like dream of early
spring. But how do they come into your
story, aunty ?" asked Rose, lifting wide
eyes of interest to her aunt's face.
''Only because the painter of those pic
lures is the heroine of it,'' said Aunt
Grace. Cara Hastings was her name.
She was much younger than I, an orphan,
fighting her way single-handed with the
world. Pretty? Well. rather pretty, not
very. She had slight, graceful figure.
dark, wistful eyes set in small. pale face,
flexible, tremulous lips and profusion of
soft, dark, wavy hair, which framed her
broad forehead like cloud.
81 met her first at the studio of friend.
and in spite of the two years difference in
our ages we took mutual fancy to each
other. After that was often at her stu
dio, poor little bare place that it was
One room served for everything kitchen,
parlor, studio, bedroom, yes, and recep-
tion-room for her pupils. A broad lounge
served for her bed by night, and one cor
ner of the room was curtained off to con-
zeal her toilette apparatus. Her cooking,
such as it was, was accomplished upon a !
small kerosene stove, which, when not in
use, she kept in her closet. A poor little
place. as said, but Cara was very happy
n it. She loved her work, aud she had
me of those bright, happy dispositions
which make their own sunshine. She often
alked to me of her pupils, but the one of
whom she spoke oftenest was Maud x l
Knew the name we'll. for the father of this
Maud was one of the most prominent
lergymen IN the city where we both lived
every one respected him, irrespective of
He was not only an elo-
uent preacher and profound scholar, of
ervid piety and blameless life; be was
lso philanthropist, reformer, prom
nent in The temperance cause, in the So
iety for the suppression of Vice. in every
hing that was good and noble. Cara often
poke of him with enthusiasm. l.
y 1T is not only that Maud is such dar- /
ng,' she said. but feel it such an honor
be associated in any way with the fam j
y of such man. :
"All this was in the winter. Spring +
ame. and everybody was leaving town. t
id not 60, although all my family did. 6
IMPLY because did not care to. There is !
nch pleasant feeling and sense of soil t
lde in large city through July and Au- !
ust that meant to put off my outing I'M +
i late in September. Cara did not 60 away
ther, and we saw good deal of each
ther. 1t was not an unalloyed joy to me. +,
1ough, for, watching her saw that, day !
y day, her cheek grew paler and thinner. !;
or step slower, her eye more feverishly
right.
"'What is the matter with you, Cara
often asked anxiously, but she only {