The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-08-20
GOOD FORTUNE.

"A. X. Wells. in st. Nicholas.
GOOD FOIsTUNE.
,,.. "lts pretty enough-pretty enough, f"
air. as he looked at the folds of ricfi
wine-colored silk which were flung ovor
the screen before him. ..But this art
embroidery business is played out No
body wants TO buy such things nova
days"
"My sister would be very glad to sell
it," said the tall pale lad who had sub
mitted it for inspection.
MIR. Mortimer whistled softly, regard
ed the drapery from between his half
closed eyelids, and felt reflectively of
his chin.
"Well," said he, "yOu may leave it
here for a day or twO-say for a week.
l don't suppose it will sell. But if it
should go off, shall charge twenty-five
per cent commission. If it don't sell,
shall expect so much day rs rent"
VERY well, sir" the lad meekly re-
spondcd.
But he sighed softly as he went away.
Elileda Elwyn. sitting Mt work in the
little top-tloor room of the tenement
house, looked eagerly up as Karl came
back.
She was bright-eycd hcctic-cheeked
girl of eighteen, with abundant gold
brown hair; and even us she sat still,
her fingers flew through meshes of rose
and white split zephyr, making what
fancy-shop or other
For Elileda Elwyn belonged to the
workers of the world, and the feeble
paralysed old mother who lay on her
narrow bed in the corner was utterly
dependent on these flying fingers for
support.
''Wcll. Karl" she cried brightly; al
see you haven't brought 1t back. Did
they accept it?''
II left it, Fleda," said the boy grave
ly, "at Mortimer and Co.'S. tried ever
so many places first, and that was my
last resort. But didn't sell it. The
man spoke very discouragingly, but
left it. If it meets with sale he is to
have twenty-five per cent commission.
If it don't you are to pay for the time il
remains there. Hard, isn't it?' as he
saw the quick shadow come over
Elileda's face. "But it's the best | could
do. Don't despair. sis. Perhaps there
is good luck in store for us.
Elfleda brushed the dew of tears from
her eyelashes. and went quietly on with
her work.
The bright fabric of wine-red, broid'
cred over with tangled reeds and radi
ant blossoms, had scarcely hung for two
hnIlrC q N n
Co. IS, when Mrs. St Dominel came in
her scented shawl trailing over hel
shoulders, and French hat tied pictur
esquely over her middle-aged curls.
She stopped short in front of the por.
there. where the wild marsh-marigolds
glowcd so wildly.
.'How lovely" she cried. "What
exquisite colors! What poetic treat
ment! What is the price of this thing
Mortimer?'
Twenty pounds, madame"
'I'll take it. said Mrs. st. Dominel
"And want n set of alcove draperie:
done in the same pattern. BY this day
week, pleaser'
MADAME. it is impossible!' said
Mortimer. This exquisite gem is i'm
ported. couldn't match it in alcove
curtains short of one hundred pounds. y
'Then I'll pay one hundred pounds, -"
said Mrs ST. Dominel. "Only be sure
that you have them ready for the 18th
it is my fete-day, and l expect hosts OF
people. That pattern is absolutely too
sweet"
And the rich lady rustled herself out
into glistening carriage. and departed,
leaving Mr. Mortimer to dispatch q hur.
ried message to the address which Kari
Elwyn had left.
The boy came running eagerly up.
stairs, two steps ut time, when he had
received his commission, and scamper
ed home.
'Only think, Elileda." he exclaimed
rapturously, 1.-The curtain is sold-fOl
ten pounds; and that, with the twenty
five per cent commission oil, is seven
pounds ten shlllipgs.'
Fleda's countcnancc frightened.
81 am so gladr' she exclaimed. "But
but hoped it would bring little
more. The material cost five pounds
and worked whole week on it until
twelve o'clock at night"
"Oh, but you haven't heard all, " said
Karl. you are to do a pair of alcovt
draperies to match, and they are to be
finished within ten days; and old Nor.
timer will pay you fifteen pounds fol-
them if they suit exactly. He says yor
are to find the material, as you did be
fore. for they must be perfect match. '
Fleda sat silently calculating matters
and thinps i'm hpr mind
II am afraid / shall not make much
profit out of it." she said. ''But, o.
course, will accept the commission; il
may lead to better things"
And so she sat herself diligently t.
work, scarcely pausing long enough tc
eat or sleep, so anxious was she to com
plete the order, and receive the promised
compensation.
"For," she reasoned with herself, "w'
owe the doctor so much already that
am ashamed to look him in the face
| and he is so kind, SO faithful in hi
visits. i'll could pay him even pount
| it would be a load off nv mind"
The upshot of the business was tina
poor Elfleda finished the draperies. bu
| fell i'll with nervous exhaustion ant
| OVcr-ltIiSlc TIC very itcAt uby'
The doctor. a tall handsome youn.
man, with dark Spanish eyes, and
profile like cameo, shook his head
and said:
"You have overdone yourself, Mis-
Elwyn."
And then Elfleda made her confession
and told him of the herculean task sht
| had lust completed
81 am to receive fifteen pounds TO
this" said she. TO be sure l ow
eight for the material, but there will b
seven pounds left; and we owe none
to our landlord; and there is las
months bill at the grocery yet unpaid
and poor mamma needs a little wine
and
II see," said the doctor shrewdly
"But am afraid, Miss Elwyn. it will b
dear seven pounds for you"
AS he sat ut the table writing pre-
scription, the door opened, and Mis-
Pennie Stockton came in.
Pennie Stockton was bright littl
damsel of twenty or o-one of the SHOP
girls at Messrs. Mortimer and CO.
and she was full of news.
"Did you hear. Fleda," she criet
without at first noticing the presence {
the dark-eyed stranger in the corner
"your lovely embroidery has been sol
for one hundred pOundsp And you
fortune is nader