Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-03-18
CHE Sturg Teller.
A CUP OF COLD WATER.
BY y. A. HEPWoRTH.

The December sun streamed pleasantly
through the large window of Alice Clay
toms classroom, and, though late in the af-
ternoon and the close of a tiresome day, her
face wore strangely gladstone expression.
The monthly report which she was making
out was enough to have drawn wrinkles
over her forehead debts and creditswould
not balance; the average proved a fraction
too small; vet she worked patiently away,
pausing only now and then to rest her head
upon her hand, while the gladstone smile
grew brighter still as she whispered, "1'm
a very child in my anticipation"
Once the penciling of her sheet showed
marks of dollars and cents, which certainly
had naught to do with Bobby's attendance
or Jennys absence, and from an envelope
in her drawer she to5k 4 roll of bills and
counted: Twenty, five, thirty-five, forty
five, fifty; yes, 1 can surely spare ten this
month; that with the fifteen at home, will
Just do it, and he must know nothing of it
till Christmas eve-dear Ernest! he shall
be proud of me for once" and something
made the tear drops fall on little band of
gold that looked too new to be a wedding
ring.
Poor Alice as if she needed to finger
those soiled greenbacks. when she had re-
ceived exactly that amount fOrso many pay
days. Perhaps you will be astonished to
learn that it had taken three months to save
the fifteen dollars, and now that the whole
amount was laid up she felt richer than
you could guess. Alice Clayton's dress
was always genteel the simplest delaine
or cheapest gngham fitted her with grace
that others could not feign. She liked pref
ty things, and it was not easy to pass the
piles of heavy camel's-hair or silky gren-
andine to the counter where she bought a
material that cost half as much; but with
the spirit that pervades all true hearts, she
numbered the blessings she had rather than
those beyond her reach.
When Ernest Dent placed the betrothal
ring upon her finger and said "For better
and for worse, my darling," at his choice.
He had been brought up in ease, if not lux
ury, and moved in gay society till business
called him to the city, where a peculiar
chain of circumstances led him a frequent
visitor to her aunt's.
ernest" she had said, II can give you
nothing but myself. l would scorn a love
which should be less because / am plain
and unpoished-onl poor teacher. You
laugh now, but remember, dear, binding
yourself to me, you will be obliged to make
many sacrifice, and to bear with my life
in it's surroundings. Aunt James home is
very humble, but you will find welcome
when ever you come. cannot go into the
circle to which you have been accustomed,
and would not if it lay in my power, for my
aim-ours now, dear-is a higher one than
mere pleasure-seeking. Will you be con-
tent with me as l am-save as / improve
under your guidance %
Ernest Dent felt that he was making no
sacrifice, and wondered that Alice could
have even fanced any change on his part.
She did not doubt his love, only with her
woman's eye foresaw hours when he might
wish things different around and about her.
A noble fellow, he was working his own
way, because he had preferred business
other than the profession marked out by his
father, and Alice was the very one to stay
his hands when they faltered. He never re-
showed q CHEEKY countenance when he
came; or knew how far the warmth of the
little home was due to her influence till she
was sick; then the blinds were closed, there
was no light in the window for him, and
Aunt Jane did not help matters by saying,
"That blessed girl was too good she was
wearing her life out for him, and he too
selfish to see it; he'd loose her some day."
Honest Aunt Jane always spoke the truth,
he had once heard Alice remark.
How was he selfish, and what could he do?
Then he thought over the past year-yes,
he had been unkind, yet it was nothing
but impulsiveness and her forgiveness SEEM
ed the sweetest thing in the world. Their
disagreements were over little things; she
would not 60 the opera when he urged her,
and he had called her prudish for broaching
economy. There had also been two or three
quibbles about her dress; he liked tritie
more of style, and tried to think the reason
of his fault finding was pride in her appear
ance. The next Sunday she wore a new
tie-his favorite shade, and dainty pair
of gloves to match; he recollected holding
her hand and wshingaloud she could dalways
wear kids. That was long ago, and since
then the neatest Of Alexandre's had gratified
his taste. Did he know that midnight
stitches had bought those same kids? DO
you exclaim that it would have been wiser
for Alice to have told him all? Even so, but
withhold your blame from either; l am tell
ing my story, and so long as woman light
ems this world with her presence, SO long
will she make sacrifices for those she loves,
counting its sweetest service so to do and
give.
Ernests error was rather thoughtlessness
than sefishness, though while Alice lay in
the sck-room he berated his conduct till he
was well-nigh wild, and sent her grapes
and flowers which he declared were the
cause of her recovery.
Thus the months had passed, he learning
slowly but surely more Of her worth, till,
returning from visit to his home, he
brought word that his mother and sister
would spend the holidays in the city. OF
course, they desired to see Alice, and as she
knew the Sherwoods, with whom they were
going to stay, it would be so pleasant.
Somehow she was very quiet over this
news aside from natural shrinking from
strangers she dreaded these people who
would certainly criticise her, and it took all
Ernest's persuasion to assure her that he
could scarcely wait for the day to arrive, So
anxious was he to take her to his mother.
1t had been Il hard winter and Alice had
done more than her usual share toward Aunt