The Sunday tatler and Jersey City express. (Jersey City, N.J.) 1883-1886, 1885-09-20
WAS SHE FRIVOLOUS?

SO well us StIOug, mdnly inquire, us Clear
cut Grecian features, and dark wavy hair,
thrown back with careless grace from his
smooth brow.
He was visiting one of those wretched
tenement houses used by the very poor,
and before him was forlorn group.
A widow who had just buried her hus-
band she had five helpless children-the
eldest six, the youngest nursing baby,
and pair of twins among them. The
rags, and, worse than all, the dirt of-pov-
erty was everywhere apparent.
An expression of almost sublime pity
rested on the countenance of the minister
over her head, rocked herself 10 and fro,
and walled forth her troubles.
81 don't know what Pm a-goin' to do
for myself and the little uns. Though my
old man would have his drink, he didn't
beat us, and brought enough to keep body
aud soul together, but now / know we
can't do nothin but starye and die"
0Have you no friends?" asked Mr.. Shaw
in low voice.
'sSome, but as bad or wuss off than us.
Yes" she said, looking up with a grateful,
bright expression, 'there is one-Lord
bless her! who has done lot for me
Miss Mehitable Sanks. She sent medicine
and the doctors to the old man, and guy
me clothes and suthin' 10 eat; and many's
the man, woman and child that blesses
her for takin' care of 'em. Why, sir, she
even leaves little cards with stamps on 'eIn
an Job Potter, who can write, sends 'em
to her when we are in very bad state"
After assuring her of his sympathy, and
that he would do what he could for her,
the minister wendell his way home. As
lie thought of those to whom he might
appeal. vision of a bright face haunted
him, but while he fingered over the
thought most tenderly, there was shadow
on his brow as if there was some slight jar
that marred the harmony of his thoughts.
Mr.. Shaw was the rector of one of the
wealthy churches of the city, and Mabelle
Lee was one of the parishioners. Her face
was madonna-like in its tender curves and
beauty, the large blue eyes, with just a
tinge of sadness, the perfect curve of the
red lips, a faultless complexion and blonde
hair that was like halo of light around
the graceful head But all, when she
talked it was like damper, a mist on a
beautiful picture, marring the tints that
otherwise would have been perfect.
Bright and witty, but butterfly; such
a devotee to society that one longed for
the expression of a single serious. thought
that could leaven into something like
common sense this personification of fri
voity With it all, however, she was
lovely and lovable to everyone, and Mr..
Shaw had long struggled against an in
terest in her, the indulgence of which he
felt would be fatal to his future happiness
and usefulness
Absorbed in these thoughts he found
himself in front Of Mr.. Lees house, and,
obeying an impulse, he turned into the
gate and was admitted.
AS Miss Lee entered the parlor he
thought he had seldom seen fairer vision
and was vexed to feel his heart throb more
quickly, and thrill with pleasure that he,
felt must be controlled She greeted him
with that easy grace which was one OF her
principal charms.
"Ah, Mr. Shaw, am so glad to see you.
l had a real spell of ennui this morning.
This last novel is wretched, as both hero
and heroine die in the most provoking
way, and because of some overstrained
idea of duty, and | was just wishing that
some one would come in and could have
cheerful little chat to dispel the gloomy.
impression n
''Then Pm afraid, srnilingly, syou will
not like your present visitor. have not
come in very cheerful humor; and, be-
sides, wish to ask you a favor" s4.s
"a favor That is too lovely Con-
slider it granted, even TO the half of my
kingdom. am truly glad that you wish
to ask favor of me, because did not
think your opinion CT me was sufficiently
good for such thing. Do you know
with sudden droop of the eyes, "that you
always make me- feel as if / am doing
something wrong? ?"
DO IL Well. shall give you golden
opportunity now TO redeem yourself.
have Just been visiting some of those
wretchedly poor families III - street,
aud would like it SO much if you could
interest some ladies in their behalf visit
them and relieve Them sfFa @as
A look of CONSERVATION overspread her
pretty face as she exclaimed: ~
"Oh, indeed, you don't mean for me to
GO there7 How could l ever stand it? /
can't bear such places. Ask me almost
anything else. The dreadful men and
women the odorl UghF' with shud-
der. ''Ask me almost anything else. !"
A look of keen disappointment drifted
over Mr.. Shaw's face
She suddenly Frightened and said: al
81 do intend to do Something good next
week. Ihave refused German" triumph
antly, that may attend the Charity.
Calico Ball to be given. You know all
the dresses are for the poor, so shall do
some good" Rir - Sos fo...
''And what is your dress to be2" asked
Mr.. Shaw, with rather an indescribable
infection to his voice.
1.-THE loveliest blue silesia, with fow-
cred cretonne 'front.'" enthusiastically,
Sleeveless waist, Medici collar. shirred
draperies. 1t will be beautiful. and Il
know that it will seem very nice to some
poor woman who never had anything like
it,"
eyes," he said, in tone quite saturated
+. with irony, sIsdont doubt It's usefulness
but don't you think you ought to add a
few more yards Of Illusion to make some
warm bodies for those who have no dress,
and a few yards of ribbon to decorate the
little freezing arms?"
Now you are angry with me, Mr..
Shaw" hesitatingly. Don't; yon thin
me utterly heartless; but cant go To-
street. 1t would give me little blue
chill" F IN fSn
Il 81 could never consent to such q cruel
tnlDg ~ that ~ Solu, Will tau uhpiOao-
ant smile. Il ~ really feel that 1 owe you
an apology for intruding such a disagree
able subject, particularly after your nerves
were shattered with your novel. Good
morning aud he bowed himself out very
abruptly, with a strange little pain in bis
heart.
He did not again allude to the subject
to her, but found other ladies who inter
ested themselves warmly in the work.
Everywhere that he went In his charity
rounds he could see aud feel the influence
of Miss Sanks's good acts. She seemed "a
be an angel of mercy, who never tired
land WHO devoted her entire time to char
ity. All that she did was marked by
practical good sense and a depth OF
aa anq s seas cb ~ Sdp never nos a
meet her.
Ono day when enfnrinO the nostnffice