The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-07-18
ALL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
[Interior.l
BY ELIZABETH p. ALLAN.

BY ELIZABETH p. ALLAN
[Interior.l
"This is fine day, Arabella." said Mr.
Hoffman, trying to divide his attention i'm
partially between his second cup OF coffee,
his wife and his morning paper, tits going
to be splendid weather. What shall you do
today"
"0h. don't know" said the wife, with
pronounced tinge of ennui in her tone, "the
same thing did yesterday, and the day be-
fore, suppose; visit little. shop little
and for the rest a great deal of nothing. /
envy you, Tom, having an office to 90 to, and
some real hard work to do"
Mr.. Hoffman laid down his paper. and
looked at his handsome wife pityingly. There
were no children in this household, and the
fact was matter keen of regret to both hus.
band and wife. Mr.. Hoffman was an ca
thusiastic business man, was making money
rapidly, and feltevery day the zest of success.
Yet he was by no means selfish fellow, and
would cheerfully have given up some of his
precious hours to society, If his wife had
cared for society. But she did not She was
quiet, earnest-minded woman, devoted to
her church and all IT'S interests, and utterly
Indifferent to the pursuits Of fashionable life.
She belonged to great number Of charitable
societies. gave largely, and, whenever there
was an opportunity, worked industriously
for their various causes. But all these were
indirect, impersonal interests, and did not
satisfy the lady's craving for some absorbing
occupation.
Her husband looked at her pityingly.
"Arabella," he said. you may turn your
house into an orphan asylum, if it will make
you any happier"
Mrs. Hoffman jumped up from the head of
the table, and went round to give her hus band
an impulsive little hug and kiss. II don't
want to do anything, Tom, that would break
up our home life" she said, "but often wish
could put our nice big house to some more
active use."
Mr.. Hoffman submitted gracefully to hav-
ing his hair rumpled and his coffee spilled.
"All right" he said, ''if you keep your
orphans out Of our cozy evenings. and put
them at a different table, won't say word"
Mrs. Hoffman got into her shining carriage
that morning with light heart; not that she
really wanted to have an orphan asylum in
the house, but this was her husbands carte
blanche for any scheme she might have, and
there was one that she had long had at heart.
She opened it that very day, in way quite
unexpected to herself
She was turning over some summer silks at
Parsons, feeling but half interest in
whether pin stripes or small checks would
please her best when she CHANGED to look
up at the face of the girl waiting upon her.
"Miss Sophy, you look pale to-day" she
said, kindly "Are you not well?"
Tears rushed to the girls eyes, which, in
scared way she tried to hide. "No'm," she
said, with a trembling voice, 81 feel so bad
to-day that can hardly stand up; but it will
maybe pass off presently"
"Cut me off sixteen yards Of this piece,
please; not enough? Oh, no matter, the
other will do just as well. I'll be back in
minute"
Mrs Hoffman turned away to look for the
proprietor of the store. "Mr Parsons" size
said, after buying all need, now want to
hire something"
my whole stock is at your disposal" said
the polite merchant. bowingto one of his best
customers.
Il want to take Miss Sophy away with me
for halliday, and want it charged to my
account, not to hers"
''If Miss Sophy wants holiday" --be-
gan her employer, in a not particularly cor
dial tone.
"But this is business proposal" insisted
Mrs Hoffman, tapping the desk impatiently
with her fan; "Miss Sophy knows nothing
of what want with her, and If you cannot
agree to my terms, l shall say nothing more
about it,"
Mr.. Parsons hesitated just long enough to
spy Miss Sophy deftly measuring off the
shimmering lengths Of silk, and answered,
smoothly, II shall BIO most happy to oblge
you, Mrs. Hoffman"
Miss Sophy could hardly realize her own
identity, sitting in the soft-lined carriage,
bowling along the bright streets, tasting the
sweet May air.
81 don't know how to thank you, ma am"
she faltered. II don't know exactly what's
the NATTER but it seems to me / get weaker
every day; and Pm obliged to keep up, you
know / have nothing to fall back on''--
with feeble little attempt at joke.
"Miss Sophy," said her friend, II brought
you away to talk over plan have set my
heart on, and which want your help about.
You must know that L am one of the most
Industrious planners In the world; it Is my
calling in life. But l generally find 1t very
hard to get people to agree to my plans at
first, and so don't want you to give me an
answer for several days; give my idea time
to soak in little, and 1t will stand better
chance. But first let me ask about your
chum, Julia. How is she getting along"
A sad look crossed the girls face. "As far
as her work is concerned, she's getting on
well, Mrs. Hoffman; but she is losing her
health. Just like the rest of us store girls
Shoi Is stronger than am, but she has only
been IN the store two years, while I've been
III four The life unhealthy, think even
those VINO SUCK at italong time do it through
heap oil pain and misery. But l do not
mean to spoil my ride by complaining. /
beg your pardon, ma am"
"Never mind about my PARDON" said the
lady, lightly; "turn your attention to nv
plan. want you and Julia to try going
week about to the store, giving me the off
week for job that I'll tell you about
presently"
The girl gave start of surprise at this pro-
posal.
81 see you are just ready to fly out with
discouragements, like Luclarion Grapp," "
said the lady, smiling; "I'll give you leave to
make two objections"
"Mr. Parsons would never agree to II,
began Sophy.
Number one; now, only one more, re-
member"
MRS. Hoffman, we couldn't afford it,"
Number two. Now, listen to my an
swers. | am quite sure / could get Mr..
Parsons to agree to it, because, you see, he
would really only lose one girl After / take
hnlf - 4 l. 4 l. Am