The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1883-09-13

Myra Sydney was sitting in the win
dow of her little parlor watching the
slow rising of storm over the opposite
sky. Even city streets have their oppor-
tunities. This street in which Miss
p Sydney dwelt was in the outskirts of
suburb, where building plots were still
generously measured. 1t ran along the
ridge of slope, and Miss Sydney's
house had the further advantage of
standing opposite a group of vacant
lots, beyond which, above the roofs and
chimneys on the lower streets, line of
blue hills was visible, topped with woods
and dappled with cloud shadows.
Many an autumn sunset had she
watched from her front windows; many
a soft spring rain and whirling snow
storm. To some natures there are both
cOmpanionship and compensation in the
changeful aspects of nature. Myra was
one of these. She would not have ex-
changed her little house with its wide
view for any other, however magnificent,
whose boundaries were brick walls
alone; and sky, and sun, and hill, made
for the leisure moments of her busy life
a perpetual and unwearying feast.
The room in which Miss Sydney sat
DICSSGu us ONuCI dS IOOlllS Will,
whether meant to do so or not. In no
respect of size or shape did it differ
from No. II on one side, or No.
ID on the other, yet its aspect was
anything rather than commonplace.
The prevailing tint on the wall and
floor was soft olive, which made a
background for brighter colored things;
for the old Indian shawl, which did
duty as portiere; for a couple of deep
hued Eastern rugs; for pictures of vari-
Gus kinds and values, and a sprinkling
of bric-a-brac, odd rather than valuable,
but so chosen as to be in thorough har-
mony with its surroundings.
Everything had use. No pitfalls
yawned for unwary guests in the shape
of minute tables, Queen Anne or other
wise, laden with trumpery biscuit or
Sevres, and ready to upset with touch
A couple of short, old-faShioned sofas
fianked the fireplace on either side
two or three easy-chairs and firm
set, low table, laden with books and pc
r.odicals, completed sort of circle
where ten or dozen persons could
group themselves around the blaze.
M SIS Sydney herself, slight, vivid and
very simply dressed, bat without an I'M
graceful point or fold, was in accord
ance with her room.
The clock struck seven. The black
cloud had crept to the zenith, and now
a strong gust of wind swept from be-
meath it, bringing on its wings the first
drop of rain. Miss Sydney rose and shut
the window. At that moment the door
bell rang.
Its two girls with a parcel, Miss
Myra," said Esther, the parlor-maid.
g They'd like to speak with you, they
say"
Miss Sydney went out into her little
entry. The girls, about the same age,
were of the unmistakable shop-girl
type. "You are from Snow & Asher's,
/ think?" she said, in her courteous
voice.
"Yes'm. Mr.. Snow said he wasn't
sure which of the under-waists it was
that you took, so he sent both kinds,
and will you try 'em on, please?"
Certainly. Are you to wait for
them?"
"Yes'm."
Miss Sydney made what haste she
could, but before she returned the
rain was falling in torrents. ''You must
wait till it slackens. she said. You'll
be very wet if you don't. Have you far
to go?''
.'She has," replied one of the girls,
with an embarrassed giggle. I'm
pretty near by, and the horse-car runs
Just in front of the door. But Cary has
TO walk quite long way, and her shoes
are thin, too. She'd better wait, guess,
but | must go, anyway"
Miss Sydney glanced at the shoes
cheap, paper-soled boots, with dusty,
velvet bow sewed on the toe of each,
and she, too, concluded that by all
means "Cary" must wait.
Come in here" she said, leading the
way into the parlor. Esther had now
lighted the lamp. A little fire sparkled
on the hearth. Myra drew an easy
chair close to it. ''Sit down and have
a thorough warming" she said. 1T is
a chilly evening"
.1Yes'm."
The girl thrust the velvet-bowed
SHOES, which gaped for lack of buttons,
out to the fire, and, half from embar-
rassment, held up hand to shade her
face IL was a small hand, with an am
bIguous red gem on the forefinger. The
nails were all bitten to the quick, Miss
sydney noticed.
The face shaded by the hand was not
unpretty. The brown eyes had al