The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1888-09-06

lNMerly Magazine
Miss Susie set one slipper tip upon the
tenders edge and leaned her bronze curl>
against the mantel. She had noted the
elongation of her guests aristocratic vi>-
age then turned to watch the Goals flare
and pale between the bars of the crate
do you mean eyerything| gasped
Mrs. Deane Lost everything?'
"Oh, my wardrobe and some jewelry
will be left, probably. am sorry to part
with the library
Library. You seem not at all to real
| lze your situation
"Oh, yes, realize everything" said
the girl carelessly. After selling the
house and all this indicating by a non
chaant motion her luxurious surround
ings-"there will be enough to settle my
accounts and rent country house some
where"
My dear girl, what will you do, with
your delicate, fastidious training in
country house,
Bury it aud train myself better |
cooked breakfast this morning to
| begin.
Mrs. Deanc arched her fine brows in
patrician protest
But your sister, Mrs. Trenton; sure
ly she might provide for you -
Poor Nellie! said Susie "She has
lost, too. We will creep into obscurity
together"
"Oh, don't mention obscurity," with Il
graceful motion that seemed to obltcratc
the disagreeabe word. You have so
many friends they would miss You SO
much
True" said Susie, but they might
find me embarrassing in calico dress
and soliciting employment
Then you have planned, faltered her
guest "how are you tO-to live?
minus servants, salmon aud silk,
with light laugh. Fortunately we
have moderate appettcs, and for ncccsS-
aries ! can decorate plaques or some
thing
Mrs. Deane rose, There was faint
jingle from the jet fringe on her velvet
dress. The diamonds in her ears twink
led oppressiyclv. She sent a speculative
glance around the room.
"lf you really contemplate n sale of all
your pretty tribes, | will assist in pur-
chasing.
How good you are said Miss Susie, |
with beautiful sarcasm in her eyes.
And You paint so sweetly, no doubt
you Will find AN easy career as an artist |
shall be charmed to introduce my
friends when they have orders"
"Ilow good you are" repeated the
girl
Goodbye. am so sorry You are 90
ing away from us into the country"
Then Mrs. Dcane withdrew the velvet |
and jet and diamonds.
"Wcll" came mcrriy from an ante
room. "TIow did she bear it? Did she
weep and say 'entrcat me not To leave
thecE Did she beg to be your sister and
mother-in-law and banker"
We could go to Strawberry Hill to- |
morrow, but whether we will-'ay there's |
the rub =" And Mrs. Nellie came in and
knelt to rake the tire.
at is untcnanted this year, and in toll |
cradle repair, continued Susie. mus
ingly.
II remember spending weeks in that
fair cottage once, years ago" said Mrs |
Nellie, as she sat down on her heels and
ratified the poker upon the fender reflect |
lively. Twas in bleak December; thu |
walls doomed cut of mist and persimmon
trees; within, the doors crcaked, the cell |
ngs were stuntcd, the windows shook A. |
with continual ague, the irepaces yawn
ed far and huwled for wood, and il wa.
given them in cords of hickory, pine and
oak but soon it was all no more. and |
yet warmth came not, except in ilushcrs
upon my phiz.'
Yes, admitted Susie, complacenlly |
at is the poorest respectable place can
think Of
"Why not find cheap boardiug?a
But what dreadful people We might
meet"
"Well, we can have curtains and one
stow, suppose" said Mrs Nellie, with
sigh of surrender
''ln the kitchen, yes; and we will 20
tomorrow please. do not want to
meet every one
Every one repeated the pretty little
widow, demurely, .'delined, any one
some one-hn. | always was bright at
grammar
Il confess only this, said Susie with
a sudden glow on her face II am afraid
of becoming cynical
Mrs Nellie plunged her poker deep in
the Goals and looked serious.
Have you no faith in--'cvcry one:
she asked.
Tonight will show if it is deserved.
said Susie, turning away
is that quite fair Mrs. Deane may
not impart her news at once, or he may
not he Mt home
"lIc was to call tonight
ooh h-h."
Mrs. Nellie looked wise.
Il did not want to wait until
II quite understand, said the lire dis
turber, filling the pause plandly "and |
shall dress for for dinner instead of
packing for a mythical journey"
But servant arrived with a mass OF
volets and a note. Miss Susie read with
head very erect and proud curve deep
ened on her lips;
Miss DENNfs, Let these, your flvoritc flow
ers, remind you Of one most unwiingly absent
| am called away on business, and cannot hope
to you tonight. Yours faithfully
RoBERT DEANB.
The paper fell to Mrs Ncllie's knees
and she rested the red hot poker against
her dress while she perused it.
"Of course she told him at once said
Susie land truly wise son maketh u
glad stepmother.'
! well" said Mrs" Nellie, when the
poker had created some excitement and
found n safer stand, 1.-THE lIegira must
be, | suppose; but" and she looked earn
cstly into the proud, pale face opposite,
but. my Lady Doubtful, there is some
mistake. Notwithstanding Mrs. Deane
and the potent Jingle of the guinea,
Robert Deanc is a true man, true As
sunHower.'
Strawberry Hill was n drcary view for
a rainy day. The strawberry tint was
minus even in the sunset. There were
gray clouds, gray walls, gray fields.
Miss Susie watched the drip, drip down
down the windows gloomily. She was
beside the lire and well wrapped in shawls
draped cap-a-pie.
Mrs Nellie was beating tattoo on the
small centre table.
"Well, do you think this will do?" she
inquired. Two weeks of this style Of
tragedy is a fne experience, of course ;
but In time one might have to be buried
| In ha W. haxa a