The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-04-08
WILD MARSH MARIGOLDs.


WILD MARSH MARIGOLDS.
It's pretty enough-pretty enough
said Mr.. Blair, with depreciating air,
as he looked at the folds Of rich, wine
colored silk which were flung over the
screen before him. But this art-om-
broidery 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.
Mr.. Blair whistled softly, regarded
the drapery from between his half
closed eyelids, and felt rehectively Of
his chin
WELL said he, you may leave it
here for day or two, Say a week.
l don't suppose it will sell. But if it
should go off, I shall charge you twen-
ty.fve per cent. commission. If it
don't sell, shall expect dollar day
as rent
very well, sir the lad meekly re-
sponded. But he sighed softly as he
, went away.
Nellie Fling sitting at work in the
little top-foor room OF the tenement
house, looked eagerly up as Karl came
back. She was u bright-eyed, hectic
checked girl of eighteen, with album
dant gold-brown hair: and even as
she sat still, her fingers few through
meshes Of rose and white split zephyr,
making what fine ladies cali 'fascina-
tors for some fancy store or other.
For Nellie Fling belonged to the work.
ers of che world, and the feeble,
paralyzed old mother who was lying
on her narrow cot.bet in the cor
ner was utterly dependent on these
flying fingers for support.
We'll, Karl she cried, brightly, Il
see you havn't brought it back, Did
they accept it?'
i left it, Nellie said the boy, grave
ly, 'at Blair 4 Co.'s. l tried ever so
many places first, and that was my
last resort. But / didn't sell it. If it
meets with sale, he is TO have twen-
ty Eye pei ovn& commission. II it
don't, you are to pay dollar a day
for the the time it remains there
Hard, isn't it?' as he saw the quick
shadow come over Nellie's face. But
it's the best could do. Don't des-
pair, sis. Perhaps there is good luck
in store for u.s.
Nellie brushed the dew Of tears
from her eye-lashes, and went quietly
on with her work.
The bright fabric OF wine-red, en-
broidereG over with tangled reeds and
radiant blossoms, had scarcely hung
for two hours over the screen at Blair
4 Co.'s, when Mrs. st. Clair came in,
her scented shawl trailing over her
shoulder, and French hat tied pict-
uresquely over her middle-aged curls.
She stopped short in front of the por-
there where the wild marsh marigolds
glowed so vividly.
How lovelyP she cried. What ex-
quisite colorsl What poetic treat
mentl What is the price of this
thing, Blair2
"A hundred dollars, madam
I'll take it, said Mrs. st. Clair,
And want q set of alcove draperies
done in the same pattern, By this
day week, pleaser
Madam. 1t Is impossible, said Blair
This exquisite gem is imported.
couldn't match it in alcove curtains
short OF tive hundred dollars
Then I'll pay Ave hundred dollars.
said Mrs. st. Clair. Only be sure thai
you have them ready for the 15th--it
is my .tete day, and l expect hosts o.
people. The pattern is absolutely tot
sweetl'
And the rich lady rustled hersel
out into glistening carriage. and de
parted, leaving Mr.. Blair to dispatch
hurried message to the address which
Karl Fling had left.
The boy came running eagerly vi
stairs, two steps at time, when h,
had received his commission, ant
scampered home.
Only think, Nellie he exclaimed
rapturously, the curtain is soldl Fo
fifty dollarsl And that, with tn
twenty-five per cent. commission of
is thirty.ssven dollarsl'
Nellie's countenance frightened.
4 am so gladl, she exclaimed
'But--but ] hoped it would bring
little more. The material cost twer
ty-six dollars, and worked > Who'll
week on it until twelve O'Clock q
night