St. Landry democrat., 1886-09-25

music. These times have almost driver
all the music from my nature.
'SThese timesr' Grace said to herself
81 am heartily tired of hearing those
words. And it is too bad that l should
have to suffer for other folks misfor
tunes or misdeeds, | am not sure
which,
All, little did Grace Wentworth know
the meaning of the word she used
Graded in luxury, reared in a home OF
affluence, what could she understand
of suffering? The week passed by, and
Grace tried to Danish the disappoint
ment from her mind. She did not re-
turn Mrs. Osborns call. as she had
promised.
Il could not endure the look of
establishment she would fix on me
when, in answer to her inquiry,
should have to answer Only a
bouquet" Grace said.
The bouquet was still very beautiful,
and fresh, although quite week old.
Indeed, it seemed possessed Of a per-
petual bloom. Grace was changing
the water in the vase when Nora, the
Irish girl came in.
"What is it, Nora?' Grace inquired,
as the girl stood hesitating beside her.
Gould [ have an hour or so this
morning, phase? And would you
spare me a dollars Sure and it's not
for myself I'd be asking, but me
brother. The childers are sick, and
it's not cint that they have, and it's
half starving | found them last night"
4 he,
face.
why, yes, certainly--go; and here,
your months wages is nearly due, you
can have more, or all. But, Nora, is
not your brother at work with Mr..
OSBORNE"
"Sure he is, ma am, but it's not a
clint that he got a Saturday night.
All, and it's awful times these be now!
Tin of the hands that's bin getting of
twelve dollars week whit home with
none at all, sure. Did the master say
nothin' at all about it? The men takes
it awful bad because some tells of how
Mr.. Osborn could have done better.
Sure and it's myself. Nora O'Flyn, that
see the suffering about
mo, Nora, Mr. Wentworth said
nothing of it. believe his men were
paid off,
Yes, and may the Lord bless and
kape him forever! The men are telling
about the difference between them,
sure-Mr. Osborn and the master. But
it's goin' I'll be-
mora, come first to the pantry; I'll
fix up some things for you. Or just
give me basket and I'll put in the
things while you are getting ready"
Grace said.
Ten minutes after Nora came back,
picking up one bundle after another,
smelling and pinching them, as she
exclaimed:
Tea! coffee! sugar! crackers! wine!
the cold chicken fixed for your lunch,
sure! And Jelly! Oh, may YOU live
forever! For what would we do with
out yoa. sure! Oh, the mother and the
childers will pray for you every day
that they live"
With the grateful Nora's words still |
sounding in her ear, Grace Wentworth |
sat down to think over the scene about |
the diamond ring.
ooh, how must Harry have been |
hurt and disappointed at my reception |
OF his gift! Alb, perhaps when he said |
that if he had bought the ring it might |
have been at a severe cost he meant |
that he could not have paid his men as
usual. He has looked so worried often
times lately. I'm sorry behaved like
a child. will try and do better in
the future"
When Harry came home to dinner
Grace had SO much to tell about Morals
friends. He had determined to cloud |
Irace's sunny nature as little as posi-
Die with outside troubles. And SO she
began to think perhaps things or "the
lines" were not so bad after all, and
he next week she said:
Harry, my hat is out of date AL
most all Of my friends have got their
all fixings, and can not I have miner"
"What is necessary" Harry asked,
n tone Grace did not like at all. So
he said:
necessary Nothing, 1 suppose. 1
AN stay in the house"
"What do you wish, then, Grace?"
Ter husband asked, grayely.
"a hat, fall suit, gloves, shoes and
ONE new ribbons. Harry, I declare,
y your looks one would suppose was
I've not had a hat for
hree MONTHS Grace said, the quick
ears coming again. Alas! for her
God intentions.
.'What will they costP" he simply
sked.
"A hundred dollars I might make
O." Il
He looked as if about to demonstrate,
ut then, with a sigh, he took up his
at, asking: :
when must you have it?'' :
t'This is Friday; I should like it bv