The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-12-15

"But, Ermmia," said she, "I am
very much hurried just know. If you
could wait week."
"Very well," said Miss Bruce, with
toss of her imperial head, ''then I'll
take my materials elsewhere. It's
always the way with you suffering
poorl Ii one takes you work you won't
90 II, and then you come and tell us all
sorts OF stories about your privations.
But mark my words, Agatha. if you
refuse to oblige me now I'll never
employ you again.
Miss Fontaine sighed softly. Five
years ago she and Erminia Bruce had
shared the same room in Madame de
Froullgnac's 8 fashionable boarding
schooll and were inseparable friends.
But poor Harmon Fontaine had failed
IN business and recklessly drawn a
razor across his throat, and here was
Agatha toiling for her daily bread, no
less than to SUPPORT delicate mother
anu htlle brother who was ailing with
spinal complaint. And Erminia hau
listened with a patronizing air to
Aagatha's humble request for work.
II will see what can do for you, she
had said slipping the rich rings careless
" up and down her fingers. "But
amateur needlework is never quite up
to the mark. However, if you will
consider that In your charges"
II will endeavor to work we'll and
cheaply," said Agatha, meekly.
Anu after she was gone Erminia
laughed exultantly.
Its regular stroke of good luck
Tor US mamma" said she. "Broken-
down gentry always work we'll and at
quarter pricesl"
And 80 when she turned coldly away
upon this occasion Agatha made haste
to detain her.
Leave the work, Erminia," said
she. 1T is true that ana very much
hurried just at present, hut you have
Deen very kind to me. and would not
Willingly disoblige you."
ut must be handmade" said Miss
Bruce, unrolling her parcel, and very
neat neatly !, mind' and l will pay you fifty
Fifty centsl" echoed poor Agatha.
Our usual charge is"
IL don't care anything about your
usual charged" said Erminia, Impatient
ly. IF you can't do it for fifty cents
you needn't do it at ALL"
And she rustled out of the room.
leaving strong odor of Bouquet de
Caroline" behind her.
"IsI1t it strange2'' said Agatha to
herself, i'll sort of soto voice.
Isn't what stranger" said q pleasant
voice from the adjoining room. where
s'This is the third shirt I have had
brought me to-day to Make" said
Agatha, "and all in hurry. shall
have to sit up till midnight every night
and finish them" =
sIndeedp' said Major Trixton.
Gone is from Miss Ida Hedge, and
| one from her sister BERTHA" said Aga
tina; ''and now Miss Bruce"
| Miss Brnce, ehp" said the major.
"Can't she make her own shirts with
out bringing them heres"
81 don't know" sighed Agatha.
"She is the naughty young woman,
suppose who was domineering over you
just now2"
thar she means to he unkind but"
"No. no-of course not," said Majo
Trixton, dryly. "Only she treats 20,
as if YOU belonged to an inferior race
creatures"
AS he spoke he stopped over the be
and lifted the pillows 80 as to alter I'll
invalid's position.
, lis that any easier, my little man?
, said he. "And now the doctor Is hel
] will leave you for 4 WHILE"
slndeed sir" said poor Mrs. Fo
taine, ''you are very klndl''
, "KindP" he repeated, brusquel
. 'Nothing of the sort. Kind? Dug
- we not all to be kind to each othe
+, And now good-eyening"
=. He paused minute, however,
Agatha's table.
80" said he, "these arc the shirts
e. Aud with a DELEGATE pencil he drew
tiny cross in blue lead upon each one'
I'd "These are what you call the nee
a bindings, aren't they3" said he. ''If
ut mark will do no harm. See, 1t is
to small that no one would notice "
he ours elves. / only want to ident
It's these articles if should ever see tn
Ii, again. Good. evening, MISS Agatl
be Mind you don't sit too close at "
needle 70 =
And the major took his brown fl
we and sturdy, tall figure out OF the t.
Is. light room. ~
,ed The shirts came to the West
VS. packing-bOx in due time. Major Tri'
to eyed them critically.
ern "My old mother used to say,'
,tic he, "that well-made shirt was
criterion of woman's ability to M
our good wife. These shirts are
qraces to the Portville girls--all ext
,aid three, and each one Of the three
marked with tiny blue cross on
he'd inside of the neck binding"
And Major Trixon chuckled as
Of packed the shirts into the big, WOO
, we box.
~ is lie met Miss Bruce on the fav'
ls?' promenade an hour or so subseque
lik- She smiled sweetly into his face.
with 81 hope you were suited with
the shirt, MAJOR" she said.
aper ut was beautifully mnade,' 40
swered, ,
le to ~ oaan assure you," she simp
u for "th&t ! worked most diligently
I'll it,"
,ever His dark eyes seemed for u m
!. A to read her very soul,
citing InvQluntarily she hlushed ana u
soap her face away.
NICE, Can he know" She thought,
t any ! sent it to Miss Fontaine "
maleY'
With a The velvet eyed Hedge twins
Il fN mr.