Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-02-06
PEARLS ORDEAL.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

In Ut inc WINDOW, where Pearl Playfair
had, pinned up a piece of blue paper mus
lin to serve rs temporary curtain, and
wrote its glittcring autograph on the
carpetless floor that Pearl had STAYED nm
the night before to scrub neatly, SO TINT
Katie should not feel the room neg
lected.
The two chairs were wiped free from
dust, the tiny stove shone with newly
applied coat of backing, and the chrome
"Angelus," pinned against the wall over
the wooden mantle, gave an air of refine
ment to the sloping:roofcd apartment.
Katherine aud Pearl Playfnir were all
alone in the world. Their father had
been hard-worked bank-clerk, who
found it impossible to save cent before
Death presented its account and bank
rupted him ut once.
Their few distant relatives had dis
tinctively given them to understand that
"blood was not thicker than water, - and
for more than year these two brave
young girls had fought their own battle
with the world.
Katie was 'trimmer aud fnisher'' in
fashionable dressmalsing establishment.
Pearl was GRAND girl and generally Use.
full hand at Miss Thorburns famous mil
linery.
"Next year." she said, brightly, 81
can go into the show rooms and get n
dollar week more wagcsI And won't
be rich2"
But when Katio's dreadful cold deem.
ened into cough, and the doctor said
she must not leave her room, Pearl found
her twelve dollars month sadly INSULT
cient to meet oil exigenoies.
The good doctor smoke to the kind
little druggist on the,-ahrpN., wno Eek
the mcdic;p-,, town to cost price: Ais
BAKERS wife slipped in many an extra
sponge-cakc and Vienna roll among the
frugal orders; the butcher saved his
choicest bits of meat for beef tea-for
every one in the neighborhood knew and
sympathizcd with the Playfair girls.
But things had to be pdid for, never
thcless. And the tooth of poverty bites
sharply.
Pearl stood looking Mt Katie with
solemn, questioning eyes.
"Ihat is what you always say, Katie,n
said she. "And know your cough was
bad last night" ""'
ibid l disturb you, dear2"
lit isn't that. But, oh, Kate, to see
you growing paler and thinner eycry dav
TO know that you have to stay alone
here so long"
"But l don't stay alone, Pearl. Mrs.
Nippert comes in often aud little Allie
Smith"
END that isn't the worst of it, Katie.
ne coal is out, and can't pay for any
more until my Saturday night wages
come ill.,"
"It's lucky that the sun shines in so
bright, said Katie, hopefully. uNeyer
mind the coal, Pearl; I'll cuddle down
in bed, with the blanket shawl over me.
and I'm sure Mrs. Nippert will make NV
cup Oh tea ON her stove when noon comes.
She's always SO thoughtful"
Pearl went to her work with heavv
heart. On the way she was Joined by
Joe Vail, the foreman of the box factory
tnat supplied the patent receptacles in
which MIR. Fitwell's gowns were carried
nome TO her customers, and in councils
OF war respecting splendid toilettcs he
had become acquainted with Katie.
He was dark-haired, swarthv.com
plcxioned young fellow, and his ewes
sparkled as he saw Pearl Playfair.
flows your sister, Pearl2" said hc
mo bettera Oh, I'm sorry to hear it! I
say, my sisters come up from the old
homestead to keep house for me tb;s
winter, and she brought barrel of Jolly
Spitzenberg apples and some homer made
currant jelly. Would Katie try the iellv
uo you thinki Wouldn't it do her goods
III send my sister around if--n
"oh, thank you, joel This EVENING
please !" said Pearl; and she secretly reg
lstered vow that she would somewhere
or somehow beg or borrow n pe.k of
Goals, SO that these kind people should
not find them absolutely freless. uAnd
Katie thought Joe Vail had entirely for
gotten her." thought she. Gas if anv
one could forget Katieln
Miss Thorburn was very cross when ut
last Pearl reached the store. Her best
customers carriage had been seen across
tne street at Mademoiselle Lavigny's rival
store, and the new Paris fashion plates
were delayed in their arrival more than a
week. ="
Late again, Pearl Playfairl" said she,
sharply. - ''-''
"It's only one minute past seven. Miss
Thorburnl" pleaded the girl.
"And wish you distinctly to under
stand, " snapped Miss Thorburn, who had
been peering through the windows, .sthat
l don't nllow my young women to palli.
want through the streets with young man
on their way to and from the store II
isn't respectable, and"
Pearl colored wildly.
Its friend of my sister," said she.
"He only"
Miss Thorburn glared at her.
"oblige me-" said she, "by remem-
pering that l do not permit my young
women to answer me back Here's Miss
DensePs bonnet. Take it at once to
No. 60 Caravan square. She'll be furi-
Gus because it wasn't sent last nieht.n
Sixty Caravan square was q stately
brown-stone house, with ycstibule doors
~ .