The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-17
She did not even consult Zuleima this

|
sand-and-one good and sufficient reasons
why ! shouldn't undertake the good
work. will be heroine will practice
what MIR. Rockingham breaches! Where's
the use of all my good resolutions if I
haven't the moral courage to face an
emergency like this2"
So she took the splint- basket and
started bravely out into the raw, chill
atmosphere of the November day with
valiant heart.
''It will be fun, she assured herself;
but nevertheless the two red spots glowed
hotter still in her cheeks, and there came
suspicious huttering under her belt
buckle, when she rang the bell of the
nearest house in the humdrum little red
brick row thot she had selected for the
scene of her first triumphs.
"Madam," as the door opened, not
quite three-quarters of an inch, and a
purple nose, surmounted by dirty lace
cap, became family visible in the crevice,
twill you allow me to show you"
"I don't never buy nothing at the
door!" shrilly answered the owner Of the
purple nose.
So Mabel tried the next door-knob.
A spectacled old woman, with double
chin and big cameo brooch, bounced
suddenly out at her.
"Woolen shoulder r-capes?" SAID she.
,'Wa'al, I dunno. What ye ask for 'em2
Lcmmc have look. Mittcns9 La! I
shouldn't think there'd be no wear to
them things. Eff yell leave some of the
comforters till my son Zcke comes home
to try 'cm on, I might make a sale for
ye."
"Oh, couldn't do that!" gasped
Mabel.
"Oh!" said the old woman with toss
of her head that had nearly unsettled the
spectacles. "Ain't willin' to trust me,
eh9 Wall, then, I guess ye'd better go
along"
And she shut the door in Miss Mellen's
face.
Third customer apparent 'bawled out
from out from the back kitchen that
"she didn't want anything"
The fourth was a tall, sallow-faced
woman, who read Mabel lecture on the
propriety of giving up this gadding-
about -the-streets business and taking up
some creditable work.
The girl was beginning to feel weak
kneed and trembling now, the rose spots
on her checks had widened into a de-
cided flush all over her face, and she
WINGED before the sallow-faced females
harsh words as if they had been blows.
81 haven't sold an article-not one!"
murmured Mabel, ruefully viewing the
tumbled contents CT her basket. "Oh,
dear! And am so tired, and it makes
me feel so ashamed when those people
talk so at me, and stare so rudely and
slam the door in my face. But--oh,
dear, this isn't being hcroine!"
With resolutc rallying of her quail
ing spirits, she ran up the steps of a
ruinous wooden house and rang. An
untidy woman bawled at her out of the
wiz dow overhead:
"Why don't you pull the bell wire out.
while you're about ita Don't ye know
there's sick woman in the house7"
Almost at the same moment the door
opened.
"Don't sass the lady, Mariar," said q
smooth, oily voice.
And sinister-eyed man projected
his disagreeable visage almost close to
hers.
"Eh9 Woosted goods for sale-tip-
pits and knit glovesa Just precisely
what I'm a-wantin', my dear. Oh, yes,
I'll buy anything such pretty girl has
to sell! Set the basket down here, and
allow me-"
But Mabel jerked away the basket, of
which he fain would have relieved her,
and with burning face and tumultuously-
throbbing breast ran away down the
street, never pausing until she came so
violently in contact with an umbrella
coming around the corner that the bas-
ket, with its contents, was scattered
over the pavement, already wet and
muddy with the raw autumn rain.
81 beg your PARDON" she sobbed'
"but-"
"Why, Miss Mellen, what are you r',n-
ming away from9" cried deep, cheerful
bass.
"bIr. Rockinghamw
And then Mabel burst out crying.
1t was not until the mittens, capes and
comforters were all CLEANED off the pave
ment and returned to their original place,
and Mabel was sitting, chilled, shivering
and sobbing at intervals, like grieved
child, in front of the fire in the pastors
study, that he began to comprehend the
true nature of affairs.
"It's no use trying" said Mabel. "Pm
not heroine, and never shall be one.
1 thought I was going to do 2 good
work, but haven't; I've only flade q
fool of myself and spoiled all poor Louisa
Blundels things, and in my heart I'm
full of envy, hatred, malice and all un-
charitableness! Oh, why did you preach
that sermon at me?"
II, MabelE Preach at you'll"
~ know I'm awfully wicked" sobbed
the girl. 81 Ican't ever be saint or a
m-missionary, and I'm not fit to come
to church and say my prayers with other
people---I, that can't do the simplest
GOOD work! Aud Iknow you meant me
when you talked about Improbable SER
wants, and"
"Mabel-dcar little Mable---hush!
Listen to mel! gently urged Mr.. Rock
ingham.
"If you're going to scold at me-"