The Grenada gazette., 1888-03-24

ly. Mrs. Marvin and Edith had hardly
been shown to their chamber, after
their arrival at the Longworth home,
before Edith opened her traveling-bag
and exclaimed in dismay:
'Oh. dear! oh, dear! Mamma, my
slate-pencil is all broken to bits. and
my crimps are all out Of curl. What
ever shall doP Oh, l know! Esther
said she would be in the next room If
wanted any thing"
In another minute she was tapping
st Esther's door.
81 am so sorry to trouble you, but
my slate-pencil is all broken to bits in
my bag. Could you let me have one
of yoursP''
''Thee would like q slate-pencil?"
said Robert serene sister, with evil
dent bewilderment.
Eyes. for my crimps, you know.
They are all outof curl, and so tumbled
that l can't possibly 60 down stairs
looking so."
"But could thee not comb them out?
| could lend thee a comb to comb them
out"
II could, of course, but you've no
idea what fright I am without my
crimps Robert never saw me with my
hair straight, and l know he would
hate to have his mother see me unless
was looking my very, very best. OF
course, you know, have another bang
in my trunk" Edith made this frank
confession with wild instinct that it
would be best for Roberts relatives to
know the worst at once, so that any
possible concessions to be made after
ward. though she would not yet ac-
knowledge the possibility of concession,
would strike them in the light of unex-
pected improvement-"but my trunk
hasn't come; and so if you could lend
me pencil!'
I'll am afraid have no slate PEN
Gil. faltered Esther.
"Well. pipe would do; haven't you
pipe handler just common white
pipe, such as the children have for soap
bubbles, you know
If thee will wait a moment, l will
see, said the discreet Esther
Edith in the meantime made her
way back to her own room and waited
in suspense, while Esther went slowly
down stairs. questioning her con-
science. and yet very 10th to disap-
point the little witch who was depend-
ing upon her She had made up her
mind to be very tolerant of the worldli-
ness of Robert fancee, but to be called
upon to aid and abet her in it, was al
most more than could be reasonably
expected of her, even by Robert. And
yet it would DO so unfortunate to begin
the visit with a family jar! She had a
terrible consciousness that there was a
pipe in the house-Richard, her little
nephew, had had it for soap bubbles
only the week beforehand to tell lie,
even a white lie, and permit herself to
be unable to find it, was something
more terrible to Esther's conscience
than even conniving at curl. As it
however, she really could
not find it. Here was certainly suf1i-
cient excuse for going back empty
handed; and yet, and yet-when she
came to the foot of the stairs, Esther,
instead of going up, turned aside into
the kitchen.
Bridget. could thee spare moment
to go across to the corner grocery and
get me pipe-a common white clay
pipe?"
IA pipe, is itP" said the wondering
Bridget.
"Yes. Bridget; q pipe; a pipe
for - for blowing soap bubbles.
Esther. ''Thee knows,
Bridget-a pipe such as Richard had
for his play"
"Yes, l know" said Bridget, wiping
her hands on her apron. and then re-
her apron. "And it's soap
bubbles they do be wantin' to blow al
readyP Faith, I'll send 'em up plate
full for dinner"
Edith has won her first BATTLE"
wrote Mrs. Marvin to her husband that
evening. "and without wound or
scorn on either side. Ionly wish you
had been here with your detective
camera to get an instantaneous picture
Of the two girls when Edith opened the
door and Esther handed her the pipe"
As Edith had confidently expected, it
was the first Of q long series of victo-
ries over Roberts relations. which she
gained. not by trsmpling down their
prejudices under the high heels of her
French slippers. but by quietly teach.
ing them to like her just as she was
She had an infinite amount Of tho gra.
,ious tact which comes with a certain
Kind Of aristocratic, high-bred worldli-
ness. and she was at heart most win.
ningly affectionate and true-heartcd
girl. Had she been merely . world
ling. the French slippers would not
have fought for her or conquered her
enemies. but Roberts relations made
The surprising discovery that q really
,weet.hearted creature remains sweet
,ven on high heels; and before week
Was over Edith was the acknowledged