Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-10-21

hard one to bridge. Work was q de-
yradation, in the opinion of hsr own
! near relatives. But it was 1ot 10 for
ner. There were two ways in which
she knew she could earn generous
support. One was by her musical
talent, and the other by her taste and
ability in designing costumes.
at is wicked to keep you 1T the
piano, Miss Annable, when we all
Know you are so fond of dancing, but
40 one plays as you do" her friends
were constantly saying.
Now why, she asked herself, with
his available talent in her possession,
should she not earn some money, and
IN business-like and "open and
,bove-board" manner, as men termed
s.? Miss Annable was unable to see
why she should be idle, and wear
ler sisters cast-off clothes, any
more than the man who had room
across the corridor should be idle and
wear his rich brothers "rags and
iags." This question of the utilization
IF talent had been logically met and
settled good while before, but the
aindrances in the way of putting her
theories into practice had been hard to
overcome. Her sisters had aimed high,
and brought down their game. 1t was
no more than fair that she should do the
same, her relatives had frequently told
her, instead of occupying the fourth
story back in a crowded boarding
house, and making them a world OF
trouble in explaining and excusing her
anomalous position. Their frequent
assertions that sister Florence was ex-
ceedingly peculiar, and could not be
induced to make a home with either
Of her relatives, were in the main true.
Miss Annable could have made her,
self useful in either of these establish
mehts, but her liberty was far too
precious to jeopardize by any such ar
rangement. Here in the sky parlor
certain hours of each day were her
own, her very own.
A few hours later Miss Annable was
driving in the park with some friends.
She passed both of her sisters, and
their recognition, though calculated to
deceive her companions, was well un-
derstood by her. Julia had commu-
nicated with Blanche, and they had
both shown their displeasure in as
marked manner as the circumstances
would permit: This recalcitrant mem
Der of their aristocratic. family was to
be brought to terms. Florence Anna
BILE smiled as she thought of it.
Clarke Durivage rode along by the
side of the landau, and chatted with
the young ladies. For the first time
since Florence had decided not to wear
any more "cast-offs" her courage
failed her. She felt it to be humili-
ating truth that she cared more for
this mans good opinion than for any
thing else in the world; to think that
she was quite independent of remark
or criticism from any other quarter,
but not from him, filled her with con.
fusion and alarm. Mr.. Durivage had
been the only man she had met in So
ciety who had talked to her as if she
were possessed of an equal intelligence.
Miss Annable canvassed the subject
very thoroughly in these few minutes,
Her scorn of her own weakness, as
shown by the presence of this man,
acted like spur to her conscience.
"The die is cast" she told herself,
as Mr.. Durivage bade her good even.
ing. 81 will not wear jags, and SC
must play jigs."
The young lady did not estimate hei
musical talent at its true value. Ii
was almost a case of genius. She
could play the works of the mos
favored composers, and with a power
and expression which delighted the
most critical. And so it came to pasi
that Miss Florence Annable was en-.
gagged at regular professional prices to
play for a party at the house of the
wealthy and distinguished Mrs. Van
Cortland. Her sisters were both
present, but neither of them came near
her during the evening, and in this
way the world found out that there
had been a quarrel.
"Good evening, Miss Florence"
"GOod evening, Mr.. Durivage."
"It is rather singular there is no one
here to play but YOU" the gentleman
remarked. 81 have been waiting q
nall -hOui " iiiNllC YOU W ddhCC.
"It is not in the least singular, Mr..
Durivage," said the musician, smiling
heroically, "for am regularly EN-
ployed to play for Mrs. Van Court.
lands guests this evening"
The plunge was made, the worst wa:
over, and Florence felt that she could
Look herself squarely in the face when
the evening was over.
"And you-you have struck out il
this way for yourselfS"
There was strange quality in the
gentleman's voice that his companion
did not understand.
"Struck out?" Miss Annable laugh.
ingly answered. "That is good
phrase. 1t requires muscle, / assure
you"
"But your sister, Miss Florence?"
"They are here. You must hav-
seen them. The nexa piece is quad.
rifle, Mr.. Durivage. Please listen tc
it critically. 1t is my swn compost
ton"
The music was success. The ap.
plause and excitement that followed
its conclusion amounted to an ovation.
Mr.. Durivage drew near the piano and
read the title.
'Ladies and gentlemen" he said, in
loud, clear tones, "the name of the
original quadrille which has so delight
ed us is rags, and Jags, and Velvet
Gowns
There came time when Florence
Annable could tell her friend, Mr..
Durivage, the whole story, and the
following is the substance of his
reply:
81 determined" he said, "to WOO
and win you that night ut Mrs. Van
Cortland's. L had cared for you from
the first day of our acquaintance, but
how could 1 help feeling that you
might be like your sisters-ultra-
fashionable, purse-proud, regardful
only of appearances. What Kind of
helpmeets would your sisters make
if misfortune should Oyertake their