The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-08-09


went into raptures over Fidessa's cul-
mary skill. dwelling particularly upon
her ability as maker of calf's foot
jelly.
A peculiar smile made itself visible
on the collective family countenance.
NOW, think it's too bad" cried
the oldest girl, ''that my sister and l
should lose not only our jelly, but the
credit of having made it. We devoted
the whole of yesterday to its manufac-
ture, and the chief result of all our
trouble was to give that angelic sister
of mine an opportunity TO supply an
accidental deficiency in certain lady's
desert. That cat of hers must be a
victim to dyspepsia, if it really gets
away with all it is said to. l felt
tempted to ask if it ever had the d.
T. 8 when she came round TO ask for a
drop of sherry in gallon demijohn.
l would have given her what was left
from clearing the jelly, butpapa turned
up, and insisted upon letting her have
the best. With such encouragement,
she will ask next for champagne"
Abyss face was study. l fairly
roared. If it had not been too late to
pay any more visits, am sure we should
have traced out in our further progress
through that vicinity, the origin of the
entire menu to which we had done
honor at Fidessa's table.
About week later l encountered
Orianna one morning early, upon Kear-
ney street. did not recognize her till
she spoke to me, for she was thickly
yelled.
"Ah, am so glad to have met you,'
she said, eXcitedly. 81 am in such a
dilemma, and could not bear to speak
of it to any one. IL want so much to
know-perhaps you could tell me, and
don't mind so much speaking of it to
you-what Uncle Harris would be like
ly to give me for this2" She opened her
hand wide enough to show me a glimpse
of tiny, blue enameled watch. 81
was afraid they might insult me if
asked for more than l should"
She hung her head.
81 want to go home and have moth
ing to take me-"
"Didn't your father"
"Ah, yes; but you see-l spent all he
gave me, and | don't want to trouble
him for more. Perhaps he couldn't
spare it very well. I'd much rather
get it this way" holding up the watch.
"What have you spent your money
uponP"
She was silent. A new inspiration
struck me.
"You didn't spend it all. You lent
it. 1t was borrowed from you by"
"Ah, hush ~ she cried: 81 didn't
want you to know that. Please don't
tell it to any one. She really is good.
hearted, and she has been so kind to
me. She has given me so many pres,
ents. Still"
"Still, you would rather be out OF
her house and home again. You are
right. 1t is no place for you, let her be
as kind and generous as she may"
The next day l saw the child of
home, without, however, calling in the
aid of Uncle Harris.
When Orianna was gone 1 set about
maturing scheme l had formed. Il
was Quixotic, perhaps, but 1 though
the possible cure of fault like Fides
sa's in one whom, despite her idiosyn
Grassy, few could help liking, was wortl
the trouble of trying to effect. calet
upon carefully chosen number OF hel
most intimate friends whom / coulC
trust, | hoped, not to betray me, thel
entered CON dmOre into my plan. Sim
ultaneOusly they all began to borrow
from her. And she lent to them as un
hesltatingly as'she had borrowed from
them, showing no reluctance to gran
all their requests, though they ran tn
gamut from lace scarf to a bucket O
coal, taking in even the gas globes an,
door keys. Those in the secret derive
no little amusement in comparing note
and consulting as to what out-of. the
way articles should be asked for next
The thing grew more and more exclt
ing as the days went by. Each con
spiratOr's house contained a vast an
miscellaneous collection Of Fidessa'
worldly goods. By the end of fort
night the discomfort of rihed hous
would have been uncomfortable to on
less amiable, but with undiminisht
good humor she continued to lend. A
last period came when those in tn
plot began to doubt its success. Their
WIS no punishment in it to one VIII
felt not its inconvenience and knew N
reluctance in parting with her belong
ings. The intended lesson would prov
no lesson at all. Fidessa continue,
amiably and exasperatingly obtuse
There was nothing for it in the end bu
to cOnfide the secret to old Mothe
Caey, under solemn vow of silence
Before the week was out Fidessa's eye
) had been opened. First she called O.
her female friends and wept. The
she began TO toss her head when she me
them in tile street and look away. Fl
nally, the ludicrous side of the affai
began to strike her, good nature prt
vailed and she laughed about 1t wit
: : those who persisted in speaking to hel
,. She confessed he rself justly served ,an
professed TO be wholly cured. Neve
again, so long as she lived, would sf
; ask anything of anybody. This resoly
was openly expressed, and to no one di
it prove more gratifying than to Amy
But, alas poor fellow, his satIsfactio
with the result of our scheme wa
y short-lived. One day he came to N
IL with the most rueful expression on h