The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-12-31

ment occur to her. Grace, however, was
utterly forgotten, and, crouching in the
corner like stray cat, afraid to move
or speak, her presence was indeed un-
known.
'Uh, yes" exclaimed the belle, with
light laugh, this is from Walter
Fletcher" at the SAM lime extending
for inspection Q glove-box Of magnif.
cent workmanship with her monogram
incrusted on. the lid in diamonds so
bright that they made Grace shade her
eyes lest their light should pierce them.
"He has proposed, girls, and is COM
ing tonight for his ans wer; now, just
want you to see what dance am
going to lead him. He is so awfully
absurd with his straight-fa faced SINGER.
ity; do you know that think a man
very laughable who is so terribly in
earnestp You shall see his present
carelessly neglected in some odd cor
ner and the place Of honor given to
Frank Rand's, yonder. Do you know,
he is positively jealous of Frank? in
tend to refuse him; it is always better
to refuse man at first, you know; he
appreciates one more afterwards. Of
course, intend to marry Walter event.
ually; he is so awfully rich and not
half bad-looking."
Grace, feeling indignant at such
sentiments and guilty at having over
heard them, came forward, forming
sorry contrast to the daintily -attired
butterflies Of fashion, and startled the
girls, who each gave frightened little
shrek as though an apparition had ap-
peared among them. Collecting herself
and commanding her voice as best
she could she explained her bust
ness, while the wrathful beauty, irri-
tated at the intrusion. hastily tore the
bundle and shook the folds Of the skirt
so that the light from the chandelier
shone remorselessly on the tell-tale
blood stain.
An ugly and malicious look crossed
the face Of Ethel Winter. She fixed her
angry, cruel eyes on poor Grace, who
shrank with fear, and whose lips were
vainly endeavoring TO form words of ex-
PLANTATION.
"Why have you dared to present your
self here at such an hour and on such a
day?" came harshly from the mouth
that looked made only for kisses, land
why have you returned my work spoiled
utterly and absolutely spoiled? Mon
ey? Did any one ever hear Of such In
science! No, indeed, not one penny;
rather do you owe me for my ruined
linen. And let this be tho last time
that you apply to my maid for work.
Here, Adele. show this person down the
servants stairway"
Grace felt suffocated. She reached
the stairway somehow, and, staggering
forward, would have fallen had not the
prosperous-looking maid Ito whom
Christmas was evidently gala day. SC
far as generous tips were concerned),
detained her with gentle hand, and,
with tear Of compassion in her eye,
thrust something into Grace's hand
which, when she reached her humble
quarters, she found to be money.
That simple act Of kindness melted
tho pent-up sorrows and emotions of the
young girls heart and, throwing her
self across her couch, she wept as II hel
heart would break.
day long, as she sat and sewed, She
would weave strange fancies and almost
unconsciously form them into verse OF
prose. On stray bits OF paper, on the
backs of boxes, on the fly leaves Of ole
books, the singings of her soul found
outlet as freely and as easily as birt
. trills its note simply because the musi'
is in his soul and must break forth.
| When the story Of her grief hat
! passed, she threw open her low window
and leaned far out into the sharp, frost.
| air. The streets were ablaze will
, lights, distant music and happy voice
| reached her ears, and she contraste'
+ with bitter feelings her own sad fat
: with that of the joyous circle assembled
} in the magnificent residence from whicl
she had been so harshly elected.
t As she thought she wrote; and whe
she had finished her writing, By sud
den impulse, she signed her name
Some strange fatality surely must hav
t guided her hand; for as her head fel
: back, overcome BY sleep unconscious
the biting air, gust Of wind snatche
t the sheet from her loosened fingers
: and, passing it from one gale to ar
? other, waited it-who knows whittier?
Almost at the time when Grac
: Tremaine's sorrows were forgotten i
Q sleep, young man was to be seen hal
y Keeling down the steps of brown
. - h I Nl> M