Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1889-10-19

Z iSS'ohoi Pi"hiSt VIII Chdi &c ioi pay
ing the piano the same number
of hours that I do" Miss Annable
began again, calmly. "Then, not
being a professional, I will play fol
you and Blanche for just half that
amount"
Mrs. Grenman rose, picked off a
few bits of the thread from her
handsome black silk dress--she had
been darning a tiny bit of lace =
and proceeded to array herself for
the street.
The room i'm which this conver-
sation took place was the fourth
story back of a so-called fashionable
boarding house, and this was
Florence Annable's home. Her
father and mother were both dead,
the former having survived the
wreck of a large fortune only few
weeks. When the estate was set
tied it was found that there would
be enough money to provide
Florence. the only unmarried daugh-
ter, with the necessaries of life. In
other words, it would pay her board.
So, for two years or more, she had
been dependent upon her wealthy
sisters for her wardrobe. 1t was
disagreeable position for sensitive
and high minded girl, and it had
come at last to be uncomfortable.
"Florencew
Mrs. Grenman was ready to go.
"Well," said her companion.
II shall repeat this conversation
to Paul. l tell you, that YOU may be
prepared to meet the consequences"
~ am prepared for anything but
rags and jags,' julia" her sister re-
piled; "and 1 beg you to believe
that / should not have remade your
cast off garments so long If it had
not been for keeping the peace. Let
me tell you what else l am willing
to do. You say that some of the
costumes l have made from the
dresses you have finished wearing
have been very pretty and stylish.
I will hold myself ready to make
over the best of them for you to
wear again, and / will do it in my
best manner"
"And he paid for it?'
"Certainly; like any other dress
makes"
"1fyOu were not perfect simple
ton you would marry Luke Hark-
ness" Mrs. Grenman burst out
anew. "Then you would have an
establishment equal to your sisters,
and there wouldn't be such horri-
inequality in our stations as now.
81 marry Luke Harkness?" said
Miss Annable, with the first touch
of haughtiness she had shown. "a
man old enough to be my grand
father, as deaf as post and as bald
as an ancient American eagle? 1
would go out as cook or house
maid first. Yes, Julia, if the choice
were given ME of marrying that
nan or digging my own grave, with
he understanding that 1 was to
Jump into it when completed,
would choose the latter alternative
with gratitude.
"And you wish me to understand
hat you will not play for one of
my parties again unless you are
,aid for it?''
Mrs Grenman's hand was on the
knob of the door as she asked this
question.
81 wish you to understand that l
10 not regard your old velvet and
ilk gowns as fair equivalent for
ny services as chief musician" said
"And also, that l not
'nly believe with the Bible that
the laborer is worthy of his hire {
'ut that labor is eminently respect
ble.n
The departing guests twist of the {
loor knob was nothing less than {
icious. Florence, who knew her l
ister perfectly well, understood
hat the breach between them now
would be hard to bridge. Work |
vas degradation IN the opinion of !
er own near relatives. But it was {
ot so for her. There were two ways !
n which she knew she could earn a
enerous support. One was by her i
lusical talent, and the other by @
er taste and ability IN designing l
Dstumes.
at is wicked to keep you at the
iano, Miss Annable, when we all
now you are SO foud of dancing, l
ut no oneplays as you do" her fl
'iends were constantly saying. r.
Now why, she asked herself. with
lis available talent in her possess u
%, should she not earn some '
oney, and in businesslike and y
,pen and above board" manner, q
men termed 1t? Miss Annable fe