Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-10-11

uegradaUIon, III the opinion or her own near
relatives But it was not SO for her. There
were two ways in which she knew she could
earn a generous support One was by her
musical talent, and the other by her taste
and ability in designing costumes.
sit is wicked to keep you at the piano, Miss
Arnable when we all know you are SO fond
of dancing, but no one plays as you do" her
friends were constantly saying.
Now why, she asked herself, with this
available talent in her possession, should she
not earn some money and in a busnessike
and "open and above board" manner, as men
termed it2 Miss Annable was unable to see
why she should be idle and wear her sisters
cast off clothes any more than the man who
had room across the corridor should be
idle and wear his rich brothers ''rags and
jags."
This question of the utilization of talent
had been logically met and settled good
while before, but the hinderances in the way
of putting her theories into practice had
been hard to overcome. Her sisters had
aimed high and brought down their game
1t was no more than fair that she should do
the same, her relatives had frequently told
her, instead of occupying the fourth story
back in a crowded boarding house, and max
lug them world of trouble i'll explaining
and excusing her anomalous position. Their
frequent assertions that sister Florence was
exceedingly peculiar, and could not be in
duced to make home with either of her
relatives, were in the main true. Miss An
nable could have made herself useful in
either of these establishments, but her liberty
was far too precious to jeopardize by any
tla cl- orlnr
certain hours of each day were her own, her
very own.
A few hours later Miss Annable was driv-
ing in the park with some friends. She
passed both of her sisters, and their recogni-
ton, though calculated to deceive her COM
panions, was well understood by her. Julia
had communicated with Blanche, and they
had both shown their displeasure in as
marked a manner as the circumstances would
permit This recalcitrant member of their
aristocratic family was to be brought to
terms Florence Annable smiled as she
thought Of it,
Clarke Durivage rode along by the side of
the landau, and chatted with the young la
dies. For the first time since Florence had
decided not to wear any more least OFFS her
courage failed her. She felt it to be humil-
iating truth that she cared more for this
mans good opinion than for anything else i'll
the world; to think that she was quite indie
pendent of remark or criticism from any
other quarter, but not from him, filed her
with confusion and alarm. Mr.. Durivage
had been the only man she had met in society
who had talked to her as if she were possessed
of an equal intelligence.
Miss Annable canvassed the subject very
thoroughly in these few minutes Her scorn
of her own weakness, as shown by the pres
ence of this man, acted like a spur to her con
science.
1.-The die is cast" she told herself, as Mr..
Durivage babe her good evening. 81 will
not wear jays, and so must play jigs."
The young lady did not estimate her mu-
steal talent at its true value 1t was almost n
case of genius She could play the works OF
the most favored composers, and with power
and expression which delighted the most crit
ical And so it came to pass that Miss Flor
ence Annable was engaged at regular pro
fessional prices to play for party at the
house of the wealthy and distinguished Mrs
Van Cortland Her sisters were both pres
ent, but neither of them came near her during
the evening, and i'll this way the world found
out there had been quarrel.
''Good evening, Miss Florence"
''Good evening, Mr.. Durivage."
sit is rather singular there is no one here
to play but you," the gentleman remarked
81 have been waiting half hour to invite
you to dance"
SIT is not in the least singular Mr.. Duri
vage," said the musician, smiling heroically
"for l am regularly employed to play fol
Mrs. Van Cortlands guests this evening""
The plunge was made, the worst was over
and Florence felt that she could look herself
squarely in the face when the evening wa
over
And you-you have struck out in thu
way for yourselfF
There was a strange quality in the gentle
mans voice that his companion did not un
| derstand.
'sStruck outl'' Miss Annabls laughingly
answered. THAT'S good phrase. 1t require
muscle, | assure you"
''But your sisters, Miss Florence?"
"They are here. You must have seen them
The next piece is quadrille, Mr.. Durivage
Please listen to it critically. 1t is my owl
composition"
The music was a success The applause anc
excitement that followed its conclusion
amounted to all ovation. Mr.. Durivage drew
near the piano and read the title
Ladies and gentlemen, he said, in loud
clear tones, 1.-The name of the original quad
rifle which has SO delighted us is Rags AM
Jags and Velvet Gowns'"
There came time when Florence Annabl
could tell her friend, Mr.. Durivage, tn
whole story, and the following is the sub
stance of his reply:
81 determined" he said, "to woo and wiz
you that night at Mrs. Van Cortland's.
had cared for you from the first day q gu
acquaintance, but how could | help feeling
that you might be like your sisters-ultr
fashionable, purse proud, regardful only 0
appearances. What kind of helpmeets woulc
your sisters make if misfortune should over
take their husbands? And then. Florence,
have always maintained that it was just a
reppehensible for woman to be idle and de
pendent as for man. AS my wife, tier
will be no need for you to continue your pro
fessional career, but your talent must neve
be neglected, and for two reasons: First, be
cause it will always be our greatest source 0
enjoyment, and next, because every woman
should always hold in her hands the means o
support. "-True Flag.