The Washington critic., 1886-09-17
MILLY'S COMFORTER.

scarlet we sometimes see in the flash of
birds wing or the glow of a brilliant
sunset.
Ruskin says this is the color of life,
and though Miliy had not heard this,
she felt 1t every time she wound the
gay thing about her slender throat, and
tossed its tasseled ends coquetishly over
her shoulder.
Her mother was apt to smile at 1t, as
hardly In keeping with ATilly's rich,
trimmed garments and velvet head
gear, but the latter loved IL as the gift
of q dear little cousin in the country,
and when Mrs. Wentworth saw how
picturesquely 1t contrastcd with her
daughters dark hair and eyes, and
harmonized with her glowing cheeks,
she made no further objection, but let
the child wear IL where she would-ex-
cept to church.
One short, raw wintry afternoon
Milly was Fastening home from school,
well wrapped in its folds, when her
brisk pace was arrested by a heavy
sob, and, looking around she saw u
sight rather rare on those quiet,
aristocratic streets-a little boy thinly
and raggedly clothed, sitting on the
curbipg, his head bent forloInly on a
pile of papers in his lap, which he was
evidently making damper than usual
with his tears.
Milly looked at him pitfully, walked
on pace or two, hcsitated, glanced
back, and then stepped resolutely to.
ward him, and tapped his shoulder.
Whats the matter ?" she asked,
quietly; care you sick or hurt ?" He
raised his head and turned upon her
surprised, woebegone face, which,
however, in spite of tears and dirty
streaks, was far from unattractive.
'I-can't-sell--my-papers," he
sobbed, brokenly.
"Of course not, up here" said Milly,
In brisk, business-like tones. You
don't see anybody on these streets but
women and children, and they don't
want papers. You ought to 60 down
town where the stores are; then, If
you'll wait until o'clock, the gentle,
men will be going home to dinner, and
they'll take them fast enough"
But they hustle me about so, and
I'm awful cold and hungry" he
moaued.
"Poor childy" Milly's tones softencd
II expect they do, but you must hustle
back, and stand your own ground.
Guess you never sold papers before,
did your
Nom" he returned, gazing at her
as though she was an oracle; 81 never
had to before. Tom takes care of me-.
He's my big brother, and a sailor,
We've got nice little room that he
pays the rent, and when he goes of
on long VICES, eat with the Jenkenses
across the entry. He pays them, too.
Toms awful good, but he come home
sick this time, aud the moneys most
gone. thought could get some more
selling papers; but | have spent all
Toms fifty cents and haven't made d
thineW
He sighed dolefully again, while the
sudden memory OF dime saved for
taify in the corner of her handkerchief
made Milly's face radiant as she
dropped it into his dirty little paw.
No, no." she laughed, as he handed
out a paper; Il don't want any
wouldn't read 1t for dollar; and papt
buys his down town--if you could find
him now He takes the brown car:
near the common, big man with I
fur overcoat, and moustache, and {
sealskin cap, and eyes that twinkle; anC
like us not he'll throw you quarter
and say Never mind the changel' It,
just like him!-and here! this'll keel
you warm"
With quick movement the rec
comforter was transferred from Milly'
neck to his, and before he could speak
she had nodded gay good-by and dis
appeared around the corner.
l.. -
then down at the soft scarlet wrap, ant
gathering himself up with new resolu
ton, turned and walked away, buryin!
his chin in its tleecy folds with a de
licious sense of returning warmth ant
comfort.
Two hours later superb looking
gentleman, stridng rapidly toward hi
cara smile In his eyes as he though
of the box of French bon bons in hi
pocket ready for Milly's searchin!
tingers-felt gentle pull NJ his sleev
and such n pleading "Oh, please, sir
buy paper-pleasc do'' that he invol
unfairly stopped.
1t was little fellow who held then
eagerly forward, a little fellow with
smiling, tear streaked face, and vivit
bit of scarlet about his throlt tha
IL
said in her own brisk way;
"All right! Got TrdRstripR That
i'll Ilere-nuvcr mind the change
there's my car" and with rush foi
ward he had swung himself light
aboard, leaving silver quarter in tn
boys hand, exactly as Milly ha
prophesicd.
Il kHowed 1t - muttered the child
gazing after him with shining eyes: d"
knowcd twas her pa y But an impu
tient Paper, boy - brought him I
his senses, and In short time, wit
arms empty, but heart and pocket full
he rushed in upon his brother, col
and hunger alike forgotten.
IL done il, Tom sold every one
Here's the money" and quite Shove
Of coppers and nickels, TO say nothin
of the silver dime and quarter, rattle
out upon the bed
Toms wan face frightened at tn
sight. "Why, you little clipper" h
cried, gayly, who'd thought 1t
Come, reel of your yarn, quick, an
then let's have grub. I'm as hungry Il
a dolphin"
"Well, twas all the little lady
doin's, you see," began Jimmy, an
ibiu NV S'oiJ yuu hllo''S hHO"' Wv
playing the red comforter as triun
phantly as conquerer displays h
trophies.
At that very minute Milly sat muucl
ing n bOnbon Upon the arm of h,
fathers easy chair before the grltt
while he, lying back luXurou'ly |
dressing gown and slippers, with n
ifdHScrim across his knees, lp)So
a, ,aCipUlV into her fnpn
Whom did | buy my paper of