The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1886-04-28
,lng displayed Tor bier sister's dificult


BILE excitement, and impaired to Selma
some particulars she had learnt of the
festivities about to be held in
a family of their acquaintance, to
which they were both invited. Lady
Burnham was then on her road to
Nine. Demereau's, to order a suitable
toilette for it, one that would eclipse
every body's but the BRIDES. Mrs. Dal-
rymple, in listening, momentarily for
got her cares; when carried out OF her
self by the preparations. For these
pomps and vanities, she occasionally
did so. Do not let the reader demur at
the sense implied by 1.-THE prepara-
tons" 1t was only when carried away
by the excitement Of the preparations
that she did so forget; in the enacting
of the pomps and vanities themselves,
when they were before her In all their
glory, and she made one of the be-
dizened crowd, her nightmare was
then sure to be upon her; the skeleton
in the closet would, at those festive
times, be exceeding prominent and
bare. The reader may be- philos-
opher, a grave old F. r. S., very
learned in searching out cause and ef-
feet; l am not; so he will account for
this much better than / shall, If he
wants it accounted for. ~
From the discussion Of the wedding
programme, the breakfast in the morn
ing and the ball in the evening, Lady
Burnham proceeded to the attire; what
she meant to wear herself, and what
she recommended to Selma. Selina's
mouth watered; and the carriage
stopped at Nine. Damereau's. Mrs.
Dalrymple's orders there amounted to
EGO.
That same evening Mrs. Dalrymple
was dressing for what Sam Weller s
friend called a swarry, when her hus-
band entered the room.
+ "Selina, here's somebody down
stairs, asking to see you"
"Who?" rejoined Mrs. Dalrymple,
her pulses quickening; which they were
apt to now at any similar vague an
nouncement.
"a lady. Mrs. Cooper, l think
James said when he showed her in ]
came away, not knowing her."
Selma knew that there was a Mrs.
Cooper in the establishment Of Nine.
Damereau, q partner, she fancied,
or book-keeper, something Of that. She
had seen her once or twice; ladylike
woman who had been reduced.
"Let Mrs. Cooper come up here,
she said to the maid. "Oscar, we don't
want you.
Thank you for telling me, Selma.
l was not thinking to remain"
He passed into his dressing-room, as
he spoke, closing the door, and Mrs.
Cooper entered. y
II come from Mime. Damereau,
she began, taking the chair that Selma
pointed TO. "She hopes"
"For goodness sake speak low," in.
terrupted Mrs. Dalrymple, in ill-con.
cealed terror. "Mr. Dalrymple is only
in the next room, and / do not wish
him to hear all my private affairs,
These London walls are thin. She
wants money, suppose. N
''She hopes, madam, tFyoy will
hake IL convenient to Ieteher' have
some," said Mrs. Cooper, sinking hel
voice to whisper. "a small portion
of the bill"
~ expect l shall soon be able to dC
so," replied Mrs. Dalrymple. Jus
now, / can not"
"0nly a few hundred pounds" sh,
said. "That is but trifiing, compared
with the whole sum, which amount
now TO-
"Oh, l know what it amounts TO;
can guess it near enough" hastily in
tcrposed Mrs. Dalrymple. In tn
course of week or two l will see wha
| can do"
Poor Selma, at her wits end for ex
cuses, had said, Sin the course OF
week or two," 80 many times now tina
Nine. Damereau had got tired Of hear
ing the phrase.
Mrs. Cooper hesitated, not much lik
ing her errand. "She bade me say
madam, that she was extremely sorr,
to cause inconvenience, but that sh
can not execute the order you gave to
day unless she previously receives som
money"
"Not execute it," uttered Selma, wit
flashing eyes. what do you mean b
saying such thing to mep"
Madam, l am but the agent O
Nine. Damereau. can only speak a
she requires me-"
True" answered Selma, softening
sit is not your fault. But l must hay
the things. You will get them for me
will you notp" she said, in an accen
of entreaty, feeling that she was speak
ing to a gentlewoman, although on
who but held a situation att milliner's I
"Oh, pray use your influence! get he
to let me have them"
Mrs. Cooper stood in distress, for sh
was one Of those refined spirits VIII,
can not bear to cause or TO witnes
pain. IF 1t depended upon me, in
deed you should have them," she an
swered, "but have no influence Of tina
nature with Mime. Damereau. Sh
is not one to allow the slightest inter
ference, on my part, between her an
her ladies; were | TO attempt it Nigh
lose my place in her house, and b
turned out again to struggle with tn
world"
HAS it been q harsh world to youp'
inquired Selma, pityingly.
"Oh, yes" was Mrs. Cooper's an
swer, "or / should not be where l an
now. And / am thankful to be there,
she hastily added; 81 would not seen
ungrateful for the mercy that has fol
lowed me in my mistortunes.
II think misfortunes are the lot o
ALL" spoke Selma. "What can l do h
induce Mime. Damereau to furnishm,
these thingsp"
"Perhaps you had better call and So
her yourself, madam" replied Mrs
Cooper, relapsing into her ostensibl