Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-06-28
IRE BECAME THE RAG.
BY A. C. ID.

hing back and head she looked &. it
me very bitter thoughts forced Il n
Ives into her mind. Why were l,tss-
as SO unevenly distributed, and % ny
o. o. she born to a lot where sh, was
lieed to work SO hard to supper, ;ar-
III and little sister, while others .ld
ery luxury heaped upon them? he
rev herself on her knees by the ed
nj cried as if her heart would L." *.
Nladge had been left an orphan he
he of fifteen, and for three year lad
Rown nothing but hardship and or
Nv. Her mother had died nine ars
bfore leaving to her care the Ii tile
ster brought into the world Il, der
1ch sad circumstances. Her ia her
as good-natured, easy-going SOFT of
man. with good voice which brought
i'm in enough to make them tolelably
bmfortable. He was in reality a
pnius, but want Of ambition and love
ease had prevented his ever amount
e to anything, and, being fond of
lie" and jolly companions, he had ac-
pired taste for liquor. One stormy
ght, being unable, on account of his
bpdition, to find his way home, he
ok severe cold, and the next day
il prey to pneumonia, living but five
rvs from the time he fell ill.
'Iadge, being thus forced to earn her
read, had served out an apprentice
hip to dressmaker, and since then
I'D worked hard at her distasteful
ade. There was hidden away in her
cart an ambition, but for what she
arcely knew. She would be some
hing some day, she felt sure, but what
ould it be, how brought about, and
hen would that time come?
1t was with thoughts like these that
be beguiled the weary hours that she
It stitching, stitching, stitching away !;
hit to-day she had seemed to lose all
Ppe and life looked very dark to her.
|hile she knelt there, weeping, as is
ten the case, she grew more cheer
L. and with a little muttered prayer,
Ph Lord, forgive my repining, and,
it be possible, make my life more
lsy." she arose from her knees and
kepared to take home Miss Marlboro's
Eess.
The walk brought color to her cheeks
nd brightness to her eyes. When she
cached the house she noticed the par
pr was brilliantly illuminated, and she
assed hastily through the hall and up
tairs. Leaving her bundle, she hoped
escape again without being OBJ
erved. She had scarcely reached the
Pnding above, on her way down, when
here arose from the parlor the strains
song she had frequently heard her
Pther sing. She stood there, thrilling
every nerve. That beautiful voice,
hat beautiful song and the memories
recalled, almost overpowered her.
h. why could not she sing like that ?
he remembered singing with her
Rther when she was a little girl, and
eng told that her voice was sweet.
he would try. That very night she
ould so home and find out if she could
Of sing
She crept slowly down the stairs, lost
everything but the music which was
lnlling her soul, when she became
luscious OF some one watching her.
George Courtnay had stepped into
be hall for a moment, and glancing
caught sight of the beautiful but
oorly clad figure.
What sweet face" he thought,
and what wonderful expression It
cords badly with her poor clothes.
nom can she be, and what can she
doing here?"
1t was while he stood there, wonder
e and fascinated, that Madge became
ware Of his presence and the earnest
aze he was bestowing upon her. She
a,ted and blushed at being discovered,
ld swiftly descending, passed out of
le house. She tripped along lightly
ow for her ambition had taken shape.
Entering her room, she went to her
a1hers little melodeon, which had not
zen opened since his death, and began
Aglng the scale. Her father had
eught her the notes, and at one time
ae had been able to play some Of his
l'se accomplishments. After running
le scale up and down two or three
mes She brought out some songs and
ing them one after another. Yes,
1s could sing-she felt sure she could
o'le would any one else think so?
' S' was the question.
One made up her mind that the next
~ should decide this; and with her
cart ar high with hope, retired to rest.
ne next morning Madge awoke
r nght and early, her heart full of her
a,IIlect Everything seemed to have
r aAen on a brighter hue, and she moved
noun rUand with sprightliness and Joy
s st that quite mystified her little
s'ef, who was more accustomed to
s,'4 4 her sad than gay, and caused
~ Nadge, what has happened? ]
r saef saw you look SO happy. Your
IeS fairly sparkle, and-really,
sause, L never knew before how pref
you Were"
hnsh, little flatterer," said Madge.
f. h0a u will make me vain, I fear. Run
10 10 school, and forget what silly
: sister you have"
as .t !! alone, she soon had the break
o Or, elshes washed and put away, her
wiz swept and busted, and then she