River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-11-27

been a different woman. As IL was she
had nothing but the trifies of dress.
her cats and big green parrot TO occu-
py her mind, and she had grown narrow
and finicaL
Her bright. restless, gray eyes took in
the reflection with an increasing ex-
preston OF pleasure, and it tcas very be-
coming, taking ten years at least from
her apparent age
"It certainly is very pretty" she
said, turning to Mrs. Lane. 1t 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, my dear"
"Yes'm." replied Olive, modestly.
II wish could carry you home with
me TO help me dress for my party to-
night 1t is at the Montressors, you
hMuHs anu Out - W
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 "a not"
Miss Briggs was wealthy and valued
customer, or Mrs. Lane might not have
been so cOmplaisant. "tiet your bon
net. Olive. and go with Miss Briggs"
There. There, ! shall hang out
my sign as prophet" said Mollie, as
Olive came in for her shawl and hat
Now if she only had 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 non
sense enough to-day to last week"
"A little nonsense now and then.
Is relished by the best of women"
Perhaps she'll 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-
moralize the creature beyond reform"
1T mig hit split its bill laughing, after
being accustomed TO the quiet of Miss
Briggs respectable home. Oh. no, it
would never do, you had better refuse
the gift, Ollie, and take the cat; cats
never laugh"
Olive hooked Miss Briggs into the
close-fitting 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 hideously long
earrings out of her ears, and at last pre-
scented her before the full length mir
ror such a pleasing figure that Miss
Briggs was quite ch armed.
You dear thing" she said, tapping
Olives cheek with the tip of her plumy
fan. You must stay with me tonight.
will send message to Mrs. Lane. and
you surely deserve bit of vacation for
having suited me so beautifully"
Olive nestled down into the luxurious
easy chair after the carriage rolled away.
and Egypt, the cat. owing his name to
his glossy black fur, jumped into her
lap and Durred in happy content 1t
was very pleasant indeed TO be thus
urrounded with luxury. for Olives life
had not been one of ease. not always of
plenty. There mad been times when
she had gone to the shop cold and
hungry. as she had denied herself
needed clothing and food that there
might be enough to go around among
the smaller ones. They would soon be
old enough now to add to the family ex-
chequer, but Injuries were still very far
out of the question
Miss Theodosia's rooms were not fur
nished in the best of taste, surely. but
they were delightfully."- warm and light.
and Olive amused herself with imagin-
ing how she would plan and refurnish
them, had she permission and Miss
/ TheOdOsia's fat purse to aid her taste.
She dropped asleep, lulled by Egypt's
mOnOtonOus purring, before she had the
parlOrs arranged even, and, tired with
the work and excitement of the day,
was sleeping sOundly when Miss Briggs
returned
She never made a dissipation of her
I party-gOing, and il was yet early when
! Suc Cdult IN ANU NuEOhAuI bdCh Eer
/ long carriage cloak, sank into a chair be-
fore the fire. Ii was decidedly pleasant,
she thought, finding fresh young face
/ 10 welcome her-scmes one to talk to and
take an interest in what she had seen
and heard. She had been obliged some
times. through sheer loneliness. to de-
/ scribe an evenings pleasure to Egypt,
/ for lack of a better listener. lie
/ listened well. there was no denying
that, but his responsive faculties were
( somewhat limited, and il was decided
improvement as Olive, fully awake and
ke@nly appreciative, entered into the
description of her evenings entertain
ment with young girls interest
it was not the last of Olives visits to
/ Miss Briggs. and she became so neces-
/ sary to that pudgy lady : happiness that
she carried her off in triumph one day
as permanent companion and at a
salary quite in advance of that paid her
by Mrs. Lane.
Then you were quite unaware of