The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-17
FROM DOOR TO DOOR,
By HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

By HELEN FORREST GRAVES.
Mabel Mellen sat pensively before the
blazing camel coal fire, with Pug in her
lap and two very decided tears in her
soft brown eyes. Her pink Watteau
wrapper was very becoming, and her pet
rosc-bush in the window was Just com.
ing into bloom; but these facts were no
consolation. All the same, Mabel was
very unhappy.
"My DEAR" said the sage elder sister,
who was all the mother she had ever
known, II wouldn't fret about it,"
Mabel raised the liquid brown eyes,
fringed around with dark lashes.
''But am sure" said she, "that he
preached directly at me. Oh, + don't
think be should have done that!"
''Nonsense, my dear!" said Zuleima.
One of the big round drops detached
itself from the curly lashcs, and fell, with
a plash, directly on Pug's fine, shelf-like
pose.
"What else would he have me to dol"
demonstrated Mabel, piteously. 81 be-
long to all the societies, don't II And
60 to all the services, and I visit every
one of the poor people in my district.
Does he want me to 60 to Africa and be
a missionary, I wonder2 Or join sis
terhood, and wear. a horrid black night
cap over my hair, and go about without
Speaking to anybody2"
''I'm quite sure that he don't want
anything of the Sort" said Zuleima,
gently.
''I'm ready to make any sacrifice"
said Mabel, ,unconsciously tweaking Pug's
wrinkly ears in her enthusiasm, until
that much enduring beast uttered yelp
of anguish. ''It isn't work that I'm afraid
of. Didn't wash all the little Riley
children's faces last week for the mission
school, and mend Johnny Ruttkay's hor-
rid clothes so he could 60 to the ami
versary2 And I'm sure l only want the
chance to be heavenly Una, or gray
nun, or a pilgrimess, or any of those
people that give up their whole lives for
the cause of humanity. I'd do anything
TO help my fellow creatures-yes any
thingv'
Mabel's lips quivered and an involun-
tary tremolo came into her voice.
Zuleima gazed admiringly at her.
"I'm sure yon would, my darling" said
she. "And now if you feel inclined for
a good walk, you might take glass of
jelly around to old Betsy Blundell, in
Charcoal street."
sits shame" she said to herself,
"for any one to expect that sweet human
blossom to work any harder than she
does. do wish Mr.. Rockingham would
leave off preaching those narrowing SER
mons"
Old Betsy Blundell was as deaf and as
cross as ever. 1t was always tribula-
ton to 60 and see Betsy. Nothing suited
her, and the element of gratitude was
apparently left out of her nature.
She glarcd at Mabel as if she were an
enissary of the Evil One.
''That last tea you left tasted smoky"
snarled she; "and I'm mortal certain the
rice was damaged. may be a poor
creetur, but that amt no reason | should
be p'isoned. Jelly3 Wal, s'pose you
may leave it, though there amt much
nourishment in such kickshaws. Lousy
she's. kind O complainin', and maybe
she'll cat it"
'sIs Louisa sicki"
Mabel turned quickly around to the
battered old couch at the other side of
the room, where pleasant faced girl of
about twenty lay, covered with faded
blanlsetshawl.
9Oh, it amt much, MSS Mellen, said
Louisa-"only rheumatism. But it Grip
Piles me so can't move off the couch,
and Id just got bushcl O. them tippets
and capes knitted, al! ready to carry
around to the doors and sell-a dozen of
each. I'd put all my money into the
material, and I think they'd "a sold we'll.
used to get up nights and knit 'em,
after factory hours"
''Is it hard to sell them2' Mabel
suddenly asked.
"Oh, no, miss" Louisa responded.
"It's real light, pleasant work. 'Twould
ha' been nothing but fun for me-"
Mabel brcathcd quick and fast. Two
red spots came out on he- check; brown
lightnings flashed under the curly gate
ways of her eyes.
Here vas the opportunity at last
coming, 1t was true, in no poetic guise,
surrounded by no attractive circum'
stances, but an opportunity all the same.
Louisa" said she, 81 will sell then
for you."
"You, Hiss Mellen9"
eyes. Why not9" said Mabel, witt
a curious, little, dry laugh. II had 6
stall once in fancy fair. Why shouldn't
I sell tippets and capes and mlttens9 III
go out with the basket this very day.