The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-11-20
BY MRS. VI. P. HANDY.


;, dressing hurriedly in the dim light. Her
hair-Draper's young ladies. were models
in the matter of hair dressing been
carefully arranged the night before and
done up in kerchief to keep it smooth.
Now, there were only few crimps to undo,
few hairpins to put in place, and her
golden tresses shone in all their glory, a
mass of soft coils and fluffy curls.
Her breakfast ''coldly furnished forth"
from the dinner of the evening before,
was ready and waiting, save for the cup
of tea which was quickly made, and she
ate with the appetite resulting from
youth and health and the serene con-
sciousness of few minutes to spare.
..Tessie," called her mother from up
stairs, what is the weather this morn
ing?" She looked out of the window
for the first time and drew herself to-
gether with little shiver. The world
was gray and cold; light snow lay on
the roof and pavements and the leaden
sky gave promise of more ere many hours.
1.-THE cold wave has come, mamma
the buttons and braid on my coat?"
.'No, daughter, I'm sorry, but the silk
gave out and couldn't get it done. You
must bring me spool this evening, and
this morning you will have to wear my
sealskin."
Tessie made a face to herself, quietly.
Six dollars week and Shetland seal were
clearly incongruous. If Mr.. Draper saw
her wearing it the conclusions he might
draw might result in the loss of her situa-
ton, but it would not do to tell the mother
so. "Poor mamma, she hates my being
a shop girl badly enough now. and can't
risk pneumonia either" Tessie thought.
as she put on the coat, which fitted her
beautifully, to her mothers great salts
faction. 1t, like many other luXuries,
was an article of better days. They had
not always been poor, and when her
father died, he fancied that he left his
wife and daughter far above the reach of
want. But most of their funds, which
he had invested with the view to save
them trouble, were in the Peronzine Rail
road, which FOR two years past had paid
no dividends. The pretty little house in
which they lived was their own, but their
income was too small to support them in
idleness, and Tcssie was glad to secure a
situation in Draper's through the influence
of an old friend of her fathers Her
mother had protested feebly and then
yielded to the girls sturdy common sense;
I w a nj hf, hot
pretty daughter must work for her daily
bread.
"Never mind, mamma, shall be as
warm as a toast Tessie said, resolutely
hiding her reluctance to wear the coat,
land tomorrow is Thanksgiving, so we
shall have time to get my jacket done be-
fore church. Aren't you glad I'm going
to have holiday" She trotted off
briskly for the mornings run downtown,
which kept the roses glowing in her
cheeks in spite of her confinement in the
store.
. The tmekeeper at the side door
greeted ber with smile. ''Eou are
five minutes early, Miss Wilbur" he
said, graciously.
She passed into the courtroom, which
vas filling fast, and put her small lunch
In her compartment, took off her hat
and then hesitated, under a running
fire of What lovely coat, Miss Will
bur!''
SIS that plush?"
"No, indeed, sealskin; my, amt we
fne,n etc.
Tessies tones trembled slightly as she
tired to answer quietly.