Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-06-27
THE ORDEAL.

parlOr aS Drlgnt brO plcai Dlru balances IL
self on the swayiDg boughs of palm
tree, for the carpet was of green and the
window draperies were green, and the
walls were Just tinted of that delicate sea-
green that shines translucently through
the rolling pillows of the deep; and she
herself, curiously carrying out the unity
of thing, wore dress of soft green cash
mere, with silver lilies in her hair.
Her real name was Flora, but people
called her Tiny; it WAS a pet name she
had ever since she could remember
perhaps because she was small and
dimpled and fairy-like, and had fash
ion of nesting down on low ottomane
and little footstools instead of perching
herself on big, stiff chairs, like full-sized
mortals.
She was very fair, with transparent
skin, flushed with pale roses, and hair like
floss silk, where the FURNISHED shadows
came and went in golden glimmers; while
her blue eyes were full of sweet, wistful
express1on-a human lily of the valley, in
short.
At least, so Ernest Sargent thoue hit, 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 fate?"
mot 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, thenf"
II cant tell you just Jet; don't know
myself. Gan not you comprehend, Mr..
Sargent" she added, with sudden spark
of impatience In her soft eye, "tbat this
matter of marriage is, with US women,
something moro important than the Sc
lection of favorito shade in silks or the
color of the spring ribbonf"
II stand rebuked," he said, rising and
bowling somewhat tremendously. TO
morrow morning, then, am to call and
get my answer"
Yes, 20 morrow morning, If you like"
So Earnest Sargent bent his head over
Tiny Clarence little roseleaf of a
hand and went his way.
"Well my deer," said Mrs. Clarence, as
Tiny came slowly upstairs, twisting the
green tsssels that hung from her waist,
"what have you decidedf"
II have decided upon nothing at all as
yet, mammal
"Don't you like Mr.. Sargeutf"
eyes," answered Tiny, after moment
or two of grave consideration; sI sup
pose do"
HE is very rich, and, your father says,
in a business whose profits are continual
iy increasing. You would be wealthy,
my child"
rs wealth the first object in life, nam
ma"
mo; bat it is more or less important;
and then Mr.. Sargent is very handsome"
II know il, mamma"
And then Tiny Clarence went further
still upstairs to the room where Bridget
was sweeping and busting, in frenzy of
energy.
Bridget" she said, "wilI you lend me
your brown cloth cloak this afternoon,
and the black silk bonnetf I want to
wear them"
rs it finn ye're making of poor
girl, Miss Tinys Sure, ye wouldn't even
yoU rself to the likes o. them. And you
wild all the fine clothes queen would
wearl"
"But / am in earnest, Bridget. I am
going to see poor woman who lives in a
tenement-house down town, and I would
rather dress SO as TO attract no particular
sttention."
Bridget still stared, but she made nc
further opposition"
II can't understand at all. at all, SO
can't" she said shaking her frenzied head
as she carried the aforesaid garments
into Tiny's room. "Sure, miss, it's like
dressin' the queen of the fairies up II
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 DO.
Tiny Clarence felt curiously unlike the
sristocratic little Iqneen of fashion tina
she was as she rode down town in the ex
treme corner of Second avenue car, and
alighted at length at q cross street
phose narrow purlieus and swarmins
rows of tenement houses on either sid,
oetokened it the residing place of tn,
poor.
Turning neither to the right hand no
to the left, Tiny Clarence kept on her wa.
until at length she entered a dwelling
somewhere in the middle of the block, anC
assembled the long flight of carpeted wood
en- stairs which wss common property Il
all the inhabitants.
Pausing at q door on the fourth story
she knocked softly.
sCome in" was the reply, and opening
the door Tiny Clarence entered.
1t was a small room CON paratively bar,
of furniture, but very neat. little bee
occupied the farther corner of the room
and the smallest possible remnant of
fire smouldered In the tiny CRATE, Will
one or two chairs aid g pine table con
stituted all the rest of the outfttings.
Close to the window a young woman
sat sewing, while cripple child playe'
on the floor at her feet. She arose a
Tiny entered.
us it you, Miss Clarerce?" she said
her pale face momentarily dyed with
deep tinge of color, as she courtesled
timid welcome; "this is but poor plac
for you to come"
"Miss CIarencem repeated our littl
heroine, reproachfully. "You used t
call me Tiny when We were schoolgirl
together, HelenW
aBut there is such gulf between .
RoW!'
because you are poor and I am rio
because you are forssken widow and
am still the favoured child of fortune
Helen, you judge me uniustly!
Helen STAIRS eyes filed with tears.
Dear Tinpy, 1 will never do so again
II have brought you some more Sc
ing," said Tiny, oarelessly, as she ST
down by the side of her sadly change
schoolmate. "Bs the way, Helen, do yo
still sew for Sargent il Copley?"
Eyes, | am going there this afternoo
to return some work and try to get
little more"