Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-08-21
A CHANCE WORD.

Myra oyuhey was si''ihk Ill tuc wiz
dow of her little parlor, watching III,
slow rising of storm over the opposit,
ky. Even city streets have their oPPor.
,uni,ies. This street in which Miss sgd.
ney dwelt was in the outskirts of a sub.
urb. where building plots were still gen.
erously measured. 1t ran along the rigde
of slope, and Miss Sydney's house had
the further advantage Of standing oppo-
site a group OF vacant lots beyond which
above the roofs and chimneys on the
lower streets, line of blue hills was vis-
ible. ropped with woods and dappled
with cloud shadows.
For many an autumn sunset had she
watched from her front windows; many
soft spring rain and whirling snow storm.
To some natures there are both compan-
,onship and compensation in the change
full aspects of nature. Myra was one OF
these. She would not have exchanged
her little house with its wide view for
any other, however magnificent, whose
boundaries are brick walls alone; and
sky and sun and hill made for the leis-
ure moments Of her busy life perpetual
and unwearying feast.
The room in which Miss Sydney sat
expressed its owner, as rooms will,
whether meant to do so or not. In no
respect of size or shape did it differ from
No. l. on one side or No. Is ON the
other. yet its aspect was anything rather
than commonplace. The prevailing tint
ON wall and floor was a soft olive, which
made background for brighter colored
things; for the old Indian shawl which
did duty as q portiere; for couple of
deep hued Eastern rugs; for pictures of
various kinds and values. and sprink
ling of bric-a- -brac. odd rather than val
uable, but SO chosen as to be in thorough
harmony with its surroundings.
Everything had g use. No pitfalls
yawned for unwsry guests in the shape
of minute tables, Queen Anne or other
wise. laden with trumpery ciseua OF
Sevres. and ready to upset with touch.
A couple of short, old-fashioned sofas
flanked the fireplace on either side, two
or three easy chairs and firm set low
table laden with books and periodicals,
completed sort of circle where ten or a
dozen persons could group themselves
around the blaze. Miss Sydney herself,
slight, vivid, simply dressed, but without
an ungraceful point or fold, was in &C.
cordance with her room.
The clock struck seven. The black
cloud had crept to the zenith, and now q
strong gust Of wind swept from beneath
it, bringing on its wings the first drops
of rain. Miss Sydney rose and shut the
window. At that moment the door bel
rang.
"It's two girls with a parcel, Mis-.
Myra," said Esther, the parlor maid
"And they'd like to speak with you, they
say"
Miss Sydney went out into her ittl'
entry. The two girls, about the same
age, were of the unmistaksble shop
girl type. "You are from Snow d Ash
ers, think :" she said, in her courteou
voice.
"Yes'm. Mr.. Snow said he WASH
sure which of the under waists it wa
that you took, SO he sent both kinds
and will you try 'em on. please ?"
Certainly. Are you to wait 70
them :"
"Yes'm."
Miss Sydney made what haste sh
could, but before she returned the rail-
was falling in torrents. "You mus
wait until it slackens," she said. You'll
be very wet if you don't. Have you ia
to gos"
"She has," replied one Of the girls
with an embarrassed giggle. " I'm pref
ty near by, and then the horse-car run
Just in front of the door. But Cary ha
TO walk quite way, and her shoes
thin, too. Shed better wait, l guess
but must go, anyway"
Miss Sydney glanced at the shoes
cheap paper soled boots, with dust
velvet bow sewed on the toe of each, AM
she, too, concluded that by all mean
Gary" must wait. ''Come in here,
she said, leading the way into the parlor
Esther had now lighted the lamp.
little fire sparkled on thehearth. Myr
drew an easy chair close to it. "Si
down and have q thorough warming.