San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-07-15
THE ORDEAL.

Tiny Clarence sat in her pretty little parlor
rs bright, tropical bird balances itself on
the swaying boughs of palm tree, for the
carpet wasof green and the window draperies
were green, and the walls were just tinted of
that delicate sea green that shines translu-
Gently through the rolling pillows of the
deep; and she herself, curiously carrying out
the unity of things, wore dress of soft green
cashmere, with silver lilies in her hair.
Her real name was Flora, but people called
her Tiny it was pet name she had ever
since she could remember-perhaps because
she was small and dimpled and fairy like
and had fashion of Nesting down on low
ottomans and little footstools instead of perch
Ing 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 expression-a hui
man lily of the valley, in short.
At least SO Ernest Sargent thought, 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 fater
mot this morning, Mr.. Sargent"
"Why notl | have surely the right to ask
the question"
81 am not altogether certain that have
made up my mind, Mr.. Sargent"
Ernest's eyes frightened.
You will give me the benefit of the doubt,
them
81 can't tell you just yet; Idon't know
myself Cannot you comprehend, Mr.. Sar-
gent" she added, with a sudden spark of i'm
patience in her soft eye, that this matter of
marriage is, with us women, something more
important than the selection of a favorite
shade in silks or the color of the spring rib
bong
Il stand rebuked," he said rising and bow
ing somewhat tremendously. Tomorrow
morning, then, am to call and get my an
swer."
"Yes. tomorrow morning, if you like"
So Ernest Sargent bent his head over
Tiny Clarences little rose leaf of hand and
went his way.
"Well my dear" said Mrs Clarence, as
Tiny came slowly up stairs, twisting the
green tasselS that hung from her waist,
what have you decided"
81 have decided upon nothing at all as yet,
mammal"
Don't you like n. SargentF"
YES" answered Tiny, after moment or
two of grave considt alton; II suppose do. "
"He is very rich, 4, your father says, in
business whose prohts are continually in
creasing You would e wealthy, my child.
SIS wealth the first o, ect in life, mammas'
mo; but it is more o: less important; and
then Mr.. Sargent is very .4duu>~.,.-."
II know it, mamma"
AL III
up stairs to the room where Bridget was
sweeping and busting, in frenzy of energy.
Bridget" she said, will you lend me your
brown cloth cloak this afternoon and the
black silk bonnet want to wear them"
SIS it fun ye'Ee making of a poor girl Miss
Tinyl Sure, you wouldn't even yourself to
the likes O them. And you, wild all the fine
clothes queen would wear"
But am in earnest, Bridget. lam going
to see poor woman who lives in tenement
house down town, and would rather dress
so as to attract no particular attention"
Bridget still stared, but she made no further
opposition.
IL can't understand at all, at all, so can't
she said, shaking her frenZied head as she car
ried the aforesaid garments into TIny's room.
Sure miss, it's like dressin' the queen of the
fairies Hp in a cabbage leaf Your bonny
face is lost entirely in the old bonnet, let
alone the cloak covers you from head to foot,
entirely
Never mind that, Bridget Now lend me
the veil There; that will do"
Tiny Clarence felt curiously unlike the
aristocratic little queen of fashion that She
was as sherode down town in the extreme
corner of Second avenue car, and alighted
at length at a cross street, whose narrow
purlieus and swarming rows of tenement
houses ON either side betokened it the residing
place of the poor
Turning neither TO the right hand nor to
the left, Tiny Clarence kept on her way, un-
til at length she entered a dwelling some
where in the middle Of the block, and as
Cended the long flight of carpeted wooden
stairs, which was common property 70 all the
Inhabitants.
Pausing at a door on the fourth story, she
knocked softly.
Come In" was the reply, and opening the
door Tiny Clarence entered
1t was small room, comparatively bare of
furniture, but very neat \ little bed oceu.
pied the farther corner Of the room, aud the
smallest possible remnant Of a fire smoldered
m the tiny CRATE, while one or two chairs and
pine table constituted all the rest Of the
Outdttings.
Close to the window a yosng woman sat
sowing. while CFfhplad csilA played ON the