The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-11-10

ACHANCE WORD.
Myra Sidney was sitting IN the win
dow of her little parlor waiting the slow
rising of storm over the opposite sky.
Even city streets have their opportun-
tiles. This street in which Miss Sgd
ney dwelt was in the outskirts of su-
burb, where building lots were still ge-
neTously measured. 1t ran along the
ridge of a slope, and Miss Sydney's
house had the further advantage of
standing opposite 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
ehangeful 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 magnih-
cent, whose boundaries were brick
walls alone; and sky, and sun, and hill,
made for the leisure moments of her
busy life perpetual and unvarying
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. IL on one side, or No. 13 on
the other, yet its aspect was anything
rather than commonplace. The pre-
vailing tint on the wall and floor was a
soft olive, which made background
for brighter colored things; for the old
Indian shawl, which did duty as por-
tlere; for a couple of deep-hued eastern
rugs; for pictures of various kinds and
values, and aspriukling of bric-a-brac,
odd rather than valuable, but so chosen
us to be in thorough harmony with its
surroundings.
Everything had a use. No pitfalls
yawned for unwary guests in the shape
Of minute tables, Queen Anne or Othel-
wise, laden with trumpery biscuit or
Sevres, and ready to upset with touch.
A couple of short old-fashioned sofas
tlanked the fireplace on either side, two
or three easy-chairs and firm-set, low
table, laden with books and periodicals,
completed q sort of circle where ten or
dozen persons could group themselves
around the blaze. Miss Sydney herself,
slight, vivid, and very simply dressed,
but without an ungraceful point or fold,
was in accordance with her room.
The clock struck seven. The black
cloud had crept 10 the zenith, and now
Il 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.
"It's two girls with a parcel, Miss
Myra," said Esther the parlor-maid
''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 Il Asher's,
think" she said in her courteous voice
"Yes'm. Mr.. Snow said he wasn'
sure which of the underwaists it wa
that you took, so he sent both kinds
and you will try 'eln on, please2"
Certainly. Are you to wait fol
themp'
"Yes'm.n
Miss Sydney made what haste sh,
could, but before she returned the rail-
was falling in torrents. "You mus
wait till 1t slackens," she said. you'll
be very wet if you don't. Have yol
far TO go2"
"She has" replied one of the girls
with an embarrassed giggle. "I'n
pretty near by, and the horse-cars run
Just in front Of the door. But Cary ha
TO walk quite long way, and her shoe
thf., Shn11 hatfaap tuaft
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
and she, too, concluded that by al
means "Cary" must wait.
Come in here, - she said, leading tn
way into the parlor. Esther had nov
lighted the lamp. A little fire sparkle,
on the hearth. Myra urew an cas-
chair close to it. ''Sit down and hav
thorough warming, " she said. at
chilly evening"
"Yes'm."
The girl thrust the yelvet-bowe
shoes, which gaped for lack of buttons
out to the fire, and half from embarrass
ment, held up hand to shade her face
1t was a small hand, with an ambiguou
red gem on the forefnger. The nail
were all bitten to the quick, Miss sgd
ney noticed.
The lace shaded by the hand was no
unpretty. The brown eyes had
straightforward, honest glance, tn
mouth was rather sweet, there was tina
delicacy of modelling, just bordering o
fragllity, which gives to the early yout
of so many American women a tleetln
charm. 1t was a face which softl
banded hair and low knot would sui
but with the bad taste Of her clas
Gary" had adopted the style of Golf
ure which became her least. All til
front hair was an unkempt tangle {
bang" At the back was a mass {
jute switches, braided and surrounde
with gilt comb, and ON the top of th
erection was perched straw hat line
with blue, and ornamented with b.
draggled cock IS tail. The dress, of chea
material, was blue also, and was frille
and flounced into a caricature Of Il
prevailing fashion. A ruffie Of sole
lace surrounded the girls neck, beneat