Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-11-20

IN black and pink, as Mrs. Lane will
say 1t was a set phrase in Mrs
Lanes shop talk. and it came in, with
suitable notifications, on nearly every
occasion.
i think you will agree with Us that
we have very handsome cap for you.
Miss Briggs" Mrs. Lane passed into
the trying-on room with her costucler.
olive, please arrange Miss Briggs
headdress Cor her. There. isn't il a
beauty? i very symphony in pink and
black
There, didn't tell you SOP whis-
pered Hetty with a suppressed giggle as
the familiar phrase came to her ears
through the crack in the work-room
door.
Meanwhile Miss Theodosia was look
ing q herself in the long mirror. cram
ing her head this way and that as she
weighed the cap in the balance OF APP
probation, Olive standing by in expecJa-
ton OF having the work 10 pull out and
DO over again.
L was not an unpleasant figure re-
fected in the pier-glaSS. A short, stub
by little woman with round face in
which natural good humor and certain
other qualities blended curiously.
II she had married and had husband
and children TO enEross her surplus en-
ergies and affections she would have
been 4 different woman. As II was she
had nothing but the trifes OF dress,
her cats and big green parrot to occu-
Ply her mind, and she had grown narrow
and fnicaL
Her bright, restless. gray eyes took in
the reflection with an increasing ex-
preston Of pleasure, and II 5eas very be-
coming, taking ten years at least from
her apparent age.
1t certainly IS very pretty she
said, turning 10 Mrs. Lane. Il was so
invariably her custom 10 fret and find
fault, that she did not jump hurriedly
into the extreme Of enthusiastic praise.
rather sailing into commentator at half
mast as one might say.
so becoming TO your style" purred
Mrs Lane just enough of color to
bring out your own rosy complexion"
Yes, Miss Briggs had noticed how fresh
and young she looked in the mirror. and
she turned TO Olive suddenly. And
you made my cap, nv dear"
Yes N, -" replied Olive, modestly.
u wish I could CARR you home with
me 10 help me dress for nv party to-
night Il Is al the MontresSors, YOU
know, and one is naturally anxious TO
appear just right, turning TO Mrs. Lane.
And this young person has taste,
perceive"
Certainly. Miss Briggs, and Miss
Phillips can be spared as well as not"
Miss Briggs was a wealthy and valued
customer, or Mrs. Lane might rot have
been 50 complaisant- Get your bon
net. Olive. and 20 with Miss Briggs
There, There I shall hang cut
my sign as a prophet" said MoIlie, as
Olive came in for her shawl and hat
Now if she only had a handsome son
and heir TO fall in love with you. the
play would be complete"
please get sensible. Mollie, before
get back" said Olive. as she drew on
her gloves ''You have talked nom
sense enough to-day 10 last a week
- a little nonsense now and then,
Is relished b. the best OF women"
perhaps she'n present you with one
of the cats
Or the green parrot" interrupted
Hetty. Mrs Lane and the customer
had passed on out of hearing and into
the showroom.
Il should certainly never bring it to
the shop if she did, for YOU would de-
uoralize the creature beyond reform"
1t mig ht split its bill laughing, after
being accustomed TO the quie, of Miss
Briggs respectable home. Oh, no, il
would never do. you had better refuse
the gift, Ollie. and take the cat; cats
never laugh"
Olive hooked Miss Briggs into the
close-frting black velvet bodice,
deity arranged, a jabot OF soft IL
fusion and delicate point lace IN the
place OF the stiff collar she had intended
wearing, coaxed pair of bideously long
out of her ears. and at last pre-
scented her before the full length mir
ror such pleasing figure that Miss
Briggs was quite Oh armed
''YoG dear thing" she said, tapping
Olives cheek with the tip of her pluny |
fan. You must stay with me tonight |
will send a message 10 Mrs Lane, and !
you surely deserve BIT OF vacation for I
having suited me so beautifully
olive nestled down into the luxurious !
Easy chair after the carriage rolled ! way. |
md Egypt, the cat owing his name 10 /
MS glossy black fur. jumped into her |
ap and purred in happy content L /
was very pleasant indeed TO be thus /
with luxury. for Olives life /
had not been one of ease. not ALWAYS OF |
plenty. There mad been times when |
he mad gone to the shop cold and |
hungry. as she had denied herself |
needed clothing and food that there
night be enough 10 go around among
he smaller aZes- They would soon be |
I'D enough now TO add 70 the family ex-
,heouer. but luxuries were still very far
,ut Of the question
Miss Theoiosia's rooms were not fur
,ished in the best OF taste, surely. but
hey were delightfully."- warm and light, |
md Olive amused herself with imagin-
ny how she would plan and refurnish
hem. had she permission and Miss
fat purse TO aid her taste
She dropped asleep, luIled by Egypt's
purring, before she had the
'arlors arranged even, and, tired with
he work and excitement OF the day.
gas sleeping soUndly when Miss Briggs
eturned
She never made dissipation OF her
and it was yet early when
he came in and. throwing back her
ong carriage cloak, sank into chair be-
ore the fire. 1t was decidedly pleasant.
he thought, finding fresh young face
o welcome her-scme one TO talk to and
AXE an interest in what she had seen