The Press., 1889-09-05
THE ORDEAL.

she swaying boughs of palm tree, for the carpet was of 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 ont 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 because she was small and dimpled and fairy like, and had fashion of nestling down on low ottomans and little footstools instead of perch ing herself on big, stiff chairs, like full sized mortals EF9 E4E~F Fs
 She was very fair, with transparent skin, flushed with pale roses, and hair like floss silk, where the burnished shadows came and went in golden giimmers, while her blue eyes were full of sweet, wistfuI expression--a hu- 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 fatea'
 "Not this morning, MT. Sargent"
 "Why nota have surely the right to ask the question"
 "I am not altogether certain that have made up my mind, Mir. Sargent"
 Ernest's eyes frightened E..
 "You will give me the benefit of the doubt thengn @
 "I can't tell you just yet; don't know myself. Cannot you comprehend, Mir. Sar- gent" she added, with sudden spark of im- patience in her soft eye, ''that tAis matter of marriage is, with us women, something more important than the selection of favorite shade in silks or the color of the spring rib bon?" ~
 "I stand rebuked," ]" he said, rising and bow ing somewhat ceremoniously. .To-morrow morning, then, am to call and get my an- swer" .- fr .F-.-.- -se-y
 "Yes, tomorrow morning, if you like"
 So Ernest Sargent bent his head over Tiny CIarences little rose leaf of hand and went his way. ,,. ..-...-s .- ...-.-.
 "Well, my dear" said Mrs. Clarence, as Tiny came slowly up stairs, twisting the green tassels that hung from her waist, "what have you decidedF
 "I have decided upon nothing at all as yet, mammal"
 Don't you like Mir. Sargentan
 "Yes," answered Tiny, after moment or two of grave consideration; "I suppose I do."
 "He is very rich, and, your father says, in business whose profits are continually in- creasing. You would be wealthy, my child"
 "Is wealth the first object in life, mammap'
 "No; but it is more or less important; and then MT. Sargent is very handsome"
 "I know it, mamma" .=
 And then Tiny Clarence went further still up stairs to the room where Bridget was sweeping and dusting, in frenzy of energy.
 Bridget" she said, twill you lend me your brown cloth cloak this afternoon and the black silk bennett want to wear them.n
 sIs it fun ye're making of 8 poor girl, Miss Tinya Sure, you wouldn't even yourself to the likes O them. And you, wid all the fine clothes queen would wearm
 "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 shemadeno further opposition
 q can't understand at all, at all, so I 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 up 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.n
 ''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 she rode down town in the extreme corner of Second avenue car, and alighted at length at 8 cross street, whose narrow purlieus and swarming rows of tenement houses on either side betokened 1t. the residing place of the poor. 'aS '.9 'S ez- "A
 Turning neither to the right hand nor to the left, Tiny Clarence kept on her way, un- til at length she entered dwelling some where in the middle of the block, and as- cended the long flight of carpeted wooden stairs, which was common property to all the inhabitants.
 Pausing at door on the fourth story, she knocked softly.
 "Come in" was the reply. and opening the door Tiny Clarence entered.
 It was small room, comparatively bare of furniture, but very neat. A little bed occu pied the farther corner of the room, and the smallest possible remnant of fire smoldered in the tiny grate, while one or two chairs and pine table constituted all the rest of the outfttings.
 Close to the window a young woman sat sewing, while crippled child played on the floor at her feet. She arose as Tiny entered.
 Ills 1t you. Miss Clarencer' she said, her pale face momentarily dyed with deep tinge of color, as she courtesied a timid vel come. "This is but a poor place for you to come,n
 Miss Clarence!" repeated our little hero- inc, reproachfully. ssYou used to call me Tiny when we were school girls together, Helent"
 "But there is such gulf between us now!"
 Because you are poor and I am rich9 be- cause you are forsaken widow and I am still the favored child of fortunea Helen, you judge me unjustlyi"
 Helen Starr,s eyes filled with tears.
 "Dear Tiny, will never do so again.s
 II have brought you some more sewing" said Tiny carelessly, as she sat down by the dde of her sadly changed school mate. By the way, Helen, do you still sew, for Sargent & Copleyg
 .'Yes, ! am going there this afternoon to return some work and try to get little more
 Are youq' fA
 Tiny strove to speak unconsciously, al- though the deep crimson flushed her neck and brow.
 ''Would you object to my going with youI I-I have great curiosity to see the inner workings of oneof thoseg great manufacturinR establishments.
 A1 shall be glad of your company"
 "Do they pay you wellg vent on Tiny. affecting to be deeply interested fn renovisA . speck of mud from the hem of BridpetT brown cloth cloak. Mrs Starr shook her head sadly.
 Starvation prices, Tiny, and Mr. Sargent has just cut down the wages one quarter. He says times are hard and he cannot meet expensesn
 Yet he drives the harldsomest horses in New York and lives ina brown stone palace.n observed Tiny. =, -. ,. T know t, but such is the universal jus. Slce between employer and ernnaoyed Va