San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-09-20
ONE WOMAN'S WAY.

"Its no use; I've worn all the cast of
clothes Pm going to-"
There was no sign of irritation or ill ma
ture in the girls bright face as she made this
assertion. She sat in the center of heap of
discarded finery. There were frayed and
spotted velvet skirts, satin and silk waists,
strained out and threadbare in almost every
seam, founced and bedraggled gros grains
and nuns veilings, crumpled ribbons and
torn laceS.
"What do you propose to wearp
Florence Annables only companion on this
occasion was her married sister, Mrs. Paul
Grenman, in whose pretty ears sparkled val
liable solitaires, and whose fingers were
crowded with costly jewels. Mrs. Gren-
mans tone was cold and the smile on her
faultless lips was almost a sneer.
81 don't mean anything unkind, julia"
Miss Annable replied, "but the truth is, l am
not comfortable in second hand clothing"
blanche would be edited at your remarks,
Florence" said Mrs. Grenman; 1T was no
easy task to get these things together" she
added, with increased hauteur. you know
very well that my maid expects every gar
ment discard, aud so does Blanche's."
Notwithstanding her protest, the young
lady had selected the least injured of the vel
vet skirts and had begun to rip off the braid.
But she threw down her scissors now and
stepped out Of the debris.
THAT settles it, Julia" she said, with shin
ing eyes, but with no other indication of ex-
element. Il will sort those rags and jays
and velvet gowns into bundles, and you and
Blanche need not disappont your maids"
What stupidity, Florencer Mrs. Gren-
man fastened to say You know that we
want you to have our things. You have
made lovely costumes many times out of
poorer material than that is there"
The lady's tone was little more concilia-
tory. She evidently had some reason for not
wishing her sister to carry out her threat.
These things are much more suitable for
your maid than for your sister, Julia, f." Miss
Annable replied, as she set about her task.
"Perhapsyou think that your sisters should
keep you supplied with new clothesf' said
Mrs. Grenman.
mo, do not; but l will tell you what l
do think" Miss Annable responded, with
heightened color, but in firm, cool tones. II
think that you and Blanche ou1ht to be will
ing that should earn my wardrobe"
Earn it," said Mrs. Grenman, disdainful-
ly. "What new and abominable crotchet
have you got into your head now! Some
thing to disgrace us all, l suppose"
IF you and Blanche would pay me in hard
cash, as you would be compelled to pay pro-
fessional for playing the piano at your lunch
con parties and your kettledrums, your re-
ceptions and your informal evening gather
ings, l could buy my own clothes, and be
much better satisfied"
Mrs. Grenmans establishment and indigna-
ton were overwhelming.
'Who ever thought that one of our family
could be so coarse and mercenary? Pay ones
own sister for playing few sonatas and quad
rifles once in a while! Why don't you ask us
to pay you for condescending to attend our
kettledrums and receptions? Indeed, Florence,
if must say it, | think you have been gen
erously compensated for anything you have
ever done for either of u.s." and Mrs. Grenman
waved a jeweled hand toward the bundles in
the center of the room.
Julia, l will find out what professional
pianist will charge for playing the piano the
same number of hours that do" Miss Anna
bic began again, calmly. Then, not being
a professional will play for you and Blanche
for just half that amount"
Mrs Grenman rose, picked off few bits of
the thread from her handsome black silk
dresS-she had been EARNING tiny bit of lace
and proceeded TO array herself for the
street.
The room in which this conversation took
place was the fourth story back of 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 large fortune only
few weeks When the estate was settled it
was found that there would be enough money
to provide Florence, the only unmarried
daughter, with the necessaries of life In
other words, it would pay her board SO,
for two years or more, she had been depend
ent upon her wealthy sisters for her ward
robe 1t was a disagreeable position for a
sensitive and high minded girl, and 1t had
come at last to be uncomfortable
"Florence!"
Mrs. brennan was ready to go.
'Well, said her companion
Il shall repeat this conversation to Paul.
| tell you, that you may be prepared to meet
the consequences"
If am prepared for anything cut rags and
jags,' julia" her sister replied; land l beg
you to believe that l 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 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. l will hold myself
ready to make over the best of them for you
TO wear again, and l will do it in my best
And be paid for It'll"