Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-06-27
THE ORDEAL.

zelf on the sWaylDE bOugus OF pam
tree. for the carpet was of green and the
window drsperies were green, and the
wallis were lust tinted of that delicate sea
Green that shines translucenty through
shs rolling pillows of the deep; and she
herself. curiously carrying out the unity
of thing, wore a dress of soft green cash
mere. with silver lilies in her hair.
Her real name was Flora, but people
called her Tiny; it WAS pet name she
had ever since she could remember-
nerhaps because she was small and
dimpled and fairy-liBe, and had fash
ion of nesting down on low ottomaus
and little footstools instead of perching
be-self on big, stiff chairs, like full-sized
mortals.
She was very fair, with transparent
skin, flushed with pale roses, and hair like
aoss-silk, where the FURNISHED shadows
came and went in golden glimmers; while
her Line eyes were full of sweet, wistful
expressIon-a human lily of the valley, in
short.
At least, so Ernest Sargent thought, as
he sat looking at her, with his heart in his
eyes.
You will not give me the answer, then,
which is to seal my fare?"
"Not this morning, Mr.. Sargent"
"Why motif | have surely the right to
ask the question"
II am not altogether certain that have
made up my mind, Mr.. Sargent"
Ernest's eyes frightened.
you will give NE the benefit of the
doubt, then"
u cau't tell you just yet; don't know
myself. Can not you comprehend, Mr.
Sargent" she added, with a sudden spark
of impatienoe in her soft eye, that this
matter OF marriage is, with US women,
some hing moro i'm portsnt than the Sc
cotton of favoritJ shade in silks or tue
color of the spring rbbonY"
II stand rebuked,' ne said, rising and
bowling somewhat tremendously. To
morrow morning, then, am to call and
get my answer"
Yes, tomorrow morning, If you like"
So Earnest Sargent bent his head over
Tiny Clarence little roseleaf of a
hand and went his way.
"Well my dear" said Mrs. Clarence, as
Tiny came slowly upstairs, twisting the
green tassels that hung from her waist,
what have you deoidedY"
~ have decided upon nothing at all as
yet, mamma"
Don't you like Mr.. SARGENT"
YES" answered Tiny, after a moment
or two of grave consideration; 81 sup
pose | do
He is very rich, al d, your father says,
in o business whose profits are continual
ly increasing. You would be wealthy
my child
us wealth the first object in life, mann
ma"
No; b1t it is more or less important;
and then Mr.. Sargent is very handsome"
81 know it, mamma"
And then Tiny Clarence went further
still upstairs to the room where Bridget
was sweeping and busting, in a frenzy OF
energy.
Bridget" she said, Twill you lend me
your brown cloth cloak this afternoon,
and the black silk bonuetY want TO
wear them"
rs it finn ye're making of q poor
girl, Miss TinyS Sure, ye wouldn't even
yOlrself TO the likes o. them. And you,
wild ell the fine clothes a queen would
wearw
But am in earnest, Bridget. ! am
going to see poor woman who lives in a
tenemeut-house down town, and | would
rather dress so rs to attract no particular
attention"
Bridget still stared, but she made no
further opposition"
81 can't understand at all. at all, so |
CAN'T she said, shaking her fronzied head
as she carried the aforesaid garments
INTO Tiny's room. "Sure, mics, it's like
jfessln' the queen of the fairies up in
cabbage leaf. Your bonny face is lost
entirely in the old bonnet, let alone the
cloak covers you from head to foot, en-
tirely."
Never mind that, Bridget. Now lend
me the veil. There; that will 10.
Tiny Clarence felt curiOusly unlike the
ars'ocratie little queen of fashion that
she was as she rode down town In the ex-
IRENE corner OF Second avenue car, and
a,jgn.ed at length at GROSS street,
fhose narrow purlieus and swarming
rows of tenement houses on either side
pstokened it the residing place of the
poor
Turning neither TO the right hand nor
70 the left, Tiny Clarence kept on ner way
until at length she entered dwelling
somewhere in the middle of the block, and
assembled the long flight of osrpeted wood
81 stairs which wss common property TO
a4 the inhabitants.
Psusiug at a door on the fourth story,
she Knocked softly.
Come in" was the reply, and opening
the door Tiny Clarence entered.
IL was email room comparatively bare
OF furniture, but very neat. a little bed
occupied the farther corner of the room,
and The smallest possible remnant OF 6
1'e smoulderei in the tiny CRATE, while
'ae q two chairs RL1 pine table con
-'l'u'ed al the rest o. the outfttings.
Close TO the window a young woman
sat sewing while a cripple child played
ga the door a. her feet. She arose a.
Tiny entered.
SIS it you, Miss ClareLoeY" she said,
aer pale face momsutsrlly dyed with q
aeep tlnge of color, as she courtesled o
Amid welcome; "thia Is but poor place
ior you TO come"
diss Clarence repeated our little
jerome eproachfully. You used to