Morris tribune., 1886-11-17

had taken rather fancy to the bright
blue ewes and delicate blonde beauty
of the former. Valance Hall, on the
hill Just out of the city, was solitary
enough now that his sisters had all
married and gone away, and perhaps
a man might find less attractive and
graceful wife than Medora May But
he could not be mistaken, he thought,
in Grace Craxall's identity.
And so the next evening, about the
same time, he sauntered into the
shop.
Grace was behind the daintily clean
little counter, taking some newly-baked
caramels off the pan. She looked up
with smile.
"Good evening, Mr.. Valance" said
she.
$50" he thought, II wasn't mis-
taken after all. And the little blue
eyed seraph is mortal enough to tell 9
lie in spite of her angelic appearance"
But he looked serenely at Grace.
81 didn't know you were in trade, y
said he.
\ Didn't voup Well" retorted Grace,
II am my Aunt Deborah's shop-girl at
present. l always come here in the
evening to help her, BECAUSE" she
added, with a sweet shade of serious
ness coming over her face, 'aunt was
old and poor, and she didn't quite
know how to maintain herself IN lnde-
pendence, and, unfortunately, my
wages at the factory are not enough
for us both. So advised her to open
this business and she did, and she is
doing well; and she bakes the most de-
| licious bread and pies you ever ate,
so," with a saucy twinkle under her
eyelashes, "if you know of any custom
ers, will you please recommend our
firm?"
ITO be sure | SHALL" he answered,
in the same spirit. "And l am very
glad, Miss Craxall, to see that you are
not ashamed of being II worklng-glrl.
"Of course l am not" said Grace.
"Why should be?"
"But your cousin Medora is. "
Grace gave a little shrug of her
shoulders.
"Very likely" said she. 'Medora
and differ in many things"
Mr.. Valance bought a pound of car
amels and went away.
s'She is beauty" he SAID to him.
self; land she is a sensible beauty into
the bargain. One of those TdrG aUiseS
in our country, thoroughly well-bal-
anced girl"
He must have been very we'll pleased
with his purchase, for he came again
the next evening, just in time to walk
| ~ nd
talked over Aunt Deborah's affairs,
and concluded as flour was low just
then, it would be a favorable opportun'
ity for the old lady to lay in her win
ter stock, through Mr.. Valance, who
was acquainted with one of the great
New York grain merchants.
Only few weeks had elapsed when
Medora May was electrified to learn
that her cousin Grace was engaged.
ITO some master baker or journey
man confectioner, l suppose" she said'
contemptuously.
"No," said Grace, with eyes roguish'
ly sparkling; ito Mr.. Herbert Val
ance."
I-don't-believe- it," said Me
dora, growing red, then pale.
"But it's really So, said Grace
"And we are to be married in three
months, and Aunt Debby is to come tc
the hall and live with me as soon a!
she can dispose of her business to ad
vantage. And, dear Medora, l hope
you will often come and visit mt
there"
Medora May did not answer. She
could not. But in her secret heart sht
recognized how infinitely more sue
cessful in life's lists had been Grace
true, frank honesty, than her own sub
tie and devious course.
Like many another, however, th'
lesson had come to her too late
Springfield Union.