Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-04-18

A choking lump rose in her throat She
was as easily moved rs child. The
uneXprossed power, the utter repose in
this grand mood of nature Gained her,
as the damp air cooled and steadied her
body. She stood a long time without
moving. Perhaps for her, too, there
were hills of Beulah waiting above this
dark unintellicible world. For her too
what is it, said a pleasant clear
voice at her elbow.
1.-The sunrise"
Ally peeped out. "Oh, it is nice. But
It's horribly chilly! Come to breakfast,
Charlotte, dear"
Down in the bright little breakfast
room Mrs. Mcintyre was waiting. seated
by the fire in her worn velvet easy chair,
the cat curled up at her feet, and her
soft white fingers busy with that ever
lasting cloud of white netting. Miss
Nane, who never sat on a chair, curled
herself up on the rug at her feet and
put her head on her lap.
1.-The fire is pleasant this chilly morn
ing, isn't it, CharlotteE" removing, with
soft motherly little touches and pats the
obnoxious curl papers. "Some of the
gentlemen might call before breakfast is
over, my dear
80 they might" The word fired her
blood as the sound of the trumpet does
the trained racers. She stretched her
long lazy limbs and got up. Truth is,
ought never to show except at night.
Even Ally with her baby complexion
don't light up as we'll as l do. Don't
blush, child, whenever one speaks of
you. BY the time you have been through
as many seasons as have, you'll talk of
your own points as though you were
horse" with n bitter laugh, that had
stiied sob underneath.
Sometimes Miss Nane, when in q good
humor, was as gay and brilliant with
them as though they had been gentle
men. She told queer, cynical stories of
her seasons at New Orleans, Havana, or
Paris, out of which, however, all vicious
meaning was purged in respect to the
innocence of the little bread and butter
girl, rs she called Ally. But today she
was silent, ate ravenously. cast furtive
gloomy glances over at Alice's lovable
little face, soft brown hair, neither CHG
noned nor tluffed, and fresh morning
dress These people were altogether gen
uine and fresh; it was that which puz-
zled and irritated her. They had known
great trouble. Would nothing break
their CHEEKY, bright calm? When Char
lotte had visited Virginia before, the
Mcintyre estate was as large as a Ger
man principality; now they were wretch
edly poor,
Alice, after various mental pokes to
rouse Miss Nane, gave it up Have you
decided. mamma, about my blue silk?'
Charlotte pricked up her cars at the
first mention of dress. That store of
old lace you had put by for Ally heard
the soldiers tore it into rags before your
eyes"
Mrs. Mcintyre nodded and strokcd
pussy gently. Yet she did grow pale
Don't bring ghosts, even of old lace,
to the breakfast table," cried Ally,
quickly.
But the idea Of merino at a ball, AL
ice.' solemnly. You don't understand,
child. And yet you sit here and do moth
ing
what could we do, Charlotte? The
lace was torn into shreds-perfect
shreds, assure your
"Who talks Of lace?' vehementIv.
"You and your mother are in want, act
ual want. You have culture, both of
you, fine taste and shrewd wit. Why do
you not use them to help yourselves and
the world?
Mrs, McIntyres face deepened in
color, but she did not speak.
I'm sure, Charlotte, piped Ally with
a nervous CULVER, II do not wish nam
ma to want. I'd teach music if anybody
would learn; but ! only know two pieces
and they're out Of date. can embroider
very nicely
Your cousin cannot mean that we
should be sempstresses, Alice" quietly.
"Sempstresses -yes. Anything that
would give place in the world. / wish,
God knows, that had no fortune, thai
! might do something to justify my
right 70 live" cried Miss Vane, who was
COW fully meu4tsd on her laa+ bobby.