Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1889-04-26

think of this? The money will come
IN 5" acceptaGly. Don't lose second
III going t" the place. Only suppose"
with round eyes of genuine horror. that
someone else steps INTO the situation!
How much is the salary. do you sup
pose? " far will it go towards
stopping Mdlle. Basquine's mouth? If
| could pay hcr something ON account.
| dare say she'd trust me for another
gown or two.
ii don't KNOW" said Iris. "I'll find
out"
But as she spoke. she glanced down
rather wislfully at the shabby red cash
mere dress that she wore herself
MagdaIen's big blue eyes followed
the direction of her own.
'Oh, said she, lit don't make any
difference what you wear, you know.
You never 90 out"
Iris WINGED Could it be possible.
she asked herself, that this blonde,
g"ld-haircd goddess of her girlish
ldolatry was really mass of selfish
ness? But she had offered herself on
the shrine, aud she must carry out the
sacrifice.
Three pounds week." cried Mrs.
Whyle. who was a portly, pearl
powdered Older edition of the fair
Magialcn. My dear girl, it will be
such Il relief. Thompson, the con-
fectIoner, is cIamoring for his bill"
NO, mammal" said imperious Mag
dalcn. "Mliie. Bl>quine must be the
first 10 be paid. There's nobody can
ht me like Basquinc!'
well. WELL said Mrs. Whvte. let's
divide Pay little to Basquine this
week. Next week we will consider
Thompsou's claims. If I'm to have
that Pink Dinner Party at my house
next week, Thompson must have some
money
III thought" stammered Iris.
.that if could keep enough to buy me
new felt bonnet and a yard or two of
ribbon 10 trim it"
My dear. don't think of such ex-
,ravagance!" said Mrs. Whyte gravely.
You can take Magdalen's last win
ter's olive-velvet foundation. and I've
got some odds and ends of ribbon
somewhere that will do very we'll"
So Iris Dale became the patient and
uncomplaining slave to Magdalen and
her mother.
Day after day. in all weathers. she
tolied down To town Ia sit ceaselesslv
over the click, click, of the weary
typewriter; night after night she came
home To few cold scraps nobody
thought il worSi while To save her
anything especially appetising in the
way of diuner-and then she crept
w.arly tn bed. while Mrs. Whyte and
Magdalen mercilessly appropriated her
earnings
And she never even had a chance to
see Felix Haverstraw.
One evening. however. she came
home earlisr than usual. with head
aci.z hat Se1raci,a,ei her from auty,
and passing THROUGH the hail. she
heard voices from the pretty blue-and-
silver boudoir where Magdalen re-
ceived her visitors.
lnSiinctively she paused at the sound
of her own name.
Your cousin. Miss Dale?" 1t was
Major Hayrrstraw's voice that was
speaking. Il have not seen her for
some time. Has she returned To- her
hom"o'
Not exactly that" Magdalcn's vel
vet-smooth voice answered. Poor.
dear Iris. | may rs we'll tell YOU the
whole truth. Iris is the most mi>erly
little creature YOU ever knew. Moth
ine can dissuade her from her mania
of boarding money. Mamma and l
feel dreadfully about il, but she paws
no attention TO US. She goes down
every day To tvpe-writlng place, no
body knows where, and it's all TO
crafty her desire for fine clothes.
And"
1T is a cruel unfounded falsehoodw
uttered clear Voice; aud Iris herself
stood in their midst. with flushed
cheeks. dark eyes blazing resentful
fire. and lips apart How dare You
speak thus of me, Magdalen. when you
know that am not boarding money
for fine clothes-when YOU know that
every farthing Of my poor earnings
has gone into your purse and Your
mothers pocket? Do not believe her.
Major Haverstraw. am not miser."
Magdalen Whyte's sclf-possession
failed her; guilty flush overspread
her cheek.
Pray don't speak so loud.' said she
tartlv. 1T is very ill-bredr'
For your verdict l care nothing"
said Iris with a glance of uuutterable
scorn. But you will not believe
these aspcrsions on me, Major Haver-
straw?'
Never" Felix gallantly answered.
Aud at that moment beautiful blonde
Magdalen seemed like glitteriug
cruei-eyed serpent in his eyes. with her
head raised 10 strike.
Il will 90 home Tomorrow" said
Iris. Il am sorry that | came here.
Goodbye. Mrs. Whyte! You might
have spoken word in my behalf, l
Think
Neither Mrs. Whyte nor Magdalen
offered to accompany Iris Dale to the
station next day, but as she came to-
wards the ticket-ofiice, Major Haver-
straw stood there waiting
II am going to see you home," said
he.
''Oh, Major Haverstrawm
DO you think. Iris. | would let YOU
90 al"ne?" said he. IF you only knew
how often | hav" tried to see YOU
how frequently have enuuired after
you. only to be put oft with this, that,
aud the other excuse; but nave found
my opportunity at last!'
And when Iris Dale reached the old
homestead among its shadowing elms
and beeches, she was the happiest lit
tie damsel in all the world, for she
knew that Felix Havrrstraw loved her.
II can forgive everybody now.' she
said radiantly "even Magdalen Whvtem
But Miss Whyte was not so magnani-
NOUS; she could not forgive the simple
little country girl who had at once
been her dune and her conguerer.