Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-05-16
THE M
by u. r.. HORTON.

cts of no consequence at all, Major
Llford-not in the least"
They had been whirling around in
the maZes OF. a polka-redoWa, and Major
Elford was Just conducting Miss Hair
rington to a chair behind the velvet
draped column Of the doorway, when
an unlucky footstcp sent the toe of his
boot directly through n of the
founccs of her dress.
No one but au acute student of the
"human face divine" could have de-
tectcd the spasm that crossed the
young lady's countenance. In the next
minute she was all smiles.
pray, Major Elford, don't mindit"
said she. 80 stupid of me to wear
these long, trailing dresses only you
know we poor women are such slaves to
fashion,"
"AL the same, it was very awkward
OF me to step On your dress" said the
Major, apologetically.
If you say another word about it, 1
shall be seriously angry" said Esther
Harrington.
SO the matter passed off, and prob
ably the unconscious army officer would
Never have given another thought to
the accident, if, returning from the
supper room, with a glass Of gold
sparkling champaign and a plate of
strawberry icc-cream, he had not heard
the fair Esther's voice, just inside the
dressing room door. Naturally, he
stopped. He had expected to find her
in the recess of a bay window in the
parlor, whence she had dismissed him
to bring her a slight refreshment; and
as it Glanced he couldn't very we'll
avoid hearing the sound Of his own
name, spoken b%rusquely enough.
so clumsy of Major Elford!" cried
Essie, in assents of hearty vexation.
Just look! A great hole through
Aunt Matilda's point lace hounce, that
cost eighty dollars q yard, and what
ever she will say [ don't even dare to
think!'
Dear, dear!!" Isaid Miss Chessfort,
what a pity! But you must make
haste back to the drawing room, dear,
Or he'll return"
Major Elford laid all these chance re-
marks to heart, and went home to take
council with his aunt, a little bright
eyed woman, who always seemed to
possess the delightful quality of know
ing what to do in each aud every emer-
gency.
Send it to the lace-menders," said
Aunt Abby. "They can make q new
flounce of it,"
But how am I to get possession of
it?"
"Bribe the servants"
"She will find it out-Miss Harring-
ton, / mean"
mo, she won't! Essie Harrington
has gone to Philadelphia for a visit"
SO Major Elford went to the Harring-
tons house, according to his aunt's adj
vice.
"The lace f%ounce, sir!" said Ara
bella, the maid. "The one as got torn ,
you mean? Oh, yes, sir-certainiv
sir" as she heard the rustic Of a bank
bill in the gentleman's hand. GA
dreadful crossways tear it was, and |
just wish you could adhered Miss Els
ther scold. She has a dreadful temper,
Miss Esther has, when it's the least bit
riled."
SO Major Elford, with the priceless
old point" wrapped in silver paper and
laid in a fiat box, went on his way to
No Reservoir street, the direction
given him by his aunt.
"Is Mrs. Markham at home?"
Now, Major Elford had expected to
Sc a yellow, snuff-taking old French
woman. with s%peotacles, and a red silk
handkerchief pinned around her neck
but the lace-mender was quite a differ
ent sort of person. Tall and slender,
with blue liquid eyes, a complexion
pale and clear as wax, and a pleading
expression of face, she looked like a
steel engraving, just stepped out of
its frame.
Il I'm Mrs. Markham" she said
calmly.
Perhaps you cannot mend a piece
of torn lace for me?" said our hero.
feeling very much like one who asks q
duchess to darn his stockings.
1T is my business" Will YOU allow
me to look at it,"
Just as she was unfolding the creamy
layers of scented gossamer, a slipshod
little maid, with flying hair and gown
askew, came darting out of a door be-
yond.
Ol, mem: II you please, Ii STAN
mered, b~reathlessly, masters awake,
and he's carryin' on dreadful for his
coffee, and throwin' boots about quite
promisqueous"
Mrs. Markham's beautifully arched
eyebrows contracted slightly.
Tell Mr.. Markham | will be with
him immediately" said she. Are you
in a hurry for this piece of work, sir 2"
turning to Elford.
"Yes-no-I suppose SOL" vaguely
answered our hero, who was absorbed
in indignation that so pretty a oma
should have such q brute Of a husband.
II cannot promise it in less than
three days." said Mrs. Markham. It is
an intricate pattern, and a bad rent
and"
TIL call at the end of three days."
said Major Elford,