Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-29
There. that is an illustration Of what am

common"
1t was glorious morning by this time and
SIMPLY to live was n pleasure, so it seemed to
ANNE as sne and Donald threaded their way
across the common, along Charles street and up
Cambridge, turning into quiet little court Of
old fashioned houses. but poorly kept
AS Donald lifted the knocker Of one Of the
smallest but best looking. he said: Il have told
you nothing about the person am taking you
to see, for think it best yon should find out
Tor yourself. One thing, however. am very
in many wavs."
Here the door was opened, and after request
room, he said good morning. leaving Annie
half afraid OF what she had undertaken, and
surely not at all prepared for the task.
enc hesitated moment before following her
guide, a httie old woman. who was saying:
am truly glad thee has Gomez the poor
child has been sore put to this morn
Annie wanted to ask dozen questions and
she thought OF all the perfectly proper inquiries
her cousin Dorothy would have insisted on ask
ing and on having answered before ''under-
taking the case"
Just as they reached the head of the stairs
she said, timidly: lis Miss Brace very ill?''
The question answered by Nellie Brace
herself, for door opened at the end of the
hall, and there, in a flood of sunshine. stood
young girl with beautiful golden hair. She
stepped hesitatingiy into the passage, with out
stretched hands, as though to shield herself; and
there was need, for she was blind.
Wait bit, dear, said Armies guide. 'Here
Is young lady come to see thea friend Of
Mr.. Stanhopes."
1T is very kind" began Nellie.
ANNIE saw her opportunity, and taking Nellie Q
hand. said sweetly: MY name is Annie Ames.
Let me take you back to your chuir, unless"
she added. there is something can get for
you out here"
mo, we will 20 back, please,
After both were seated Nellie began, in a
timid way: 1T is very kind in you to come. j
have been so lonely since my trouble came, for
know no one. NV work is my only friend
''but my constant friend, and it has been FIVE
days now since had my last look at it,
giri?''
No. am Texan" said Nellie, little
proudly. Il was born. brought up and always
lived there until two years ago. when came to
Boston with II lady nurse for three little chill
drGn. She went abroad. and since then have
made living by doing fine embroidery then
adding very gently. as though it were expected
OF her: My father. mother and home all went
at once"
Don't don't" said Annie. Il did not come
to question you, Tor already Annie heart was
aching for the girl. ''lou must have suffered,
and want to be friend. l want to help you,
and only want you to tell me how can do it;
nothing more
there was such sweet assurance in Annies
voice and words that the Door girl before her
could not doubt her new-fouud friends wish
and VIII TO help her, and she poured forth her
trouble In even Its smallest details. That which
seemed to fret her most war not being able to
finish a BET Of embroidered napkins mat were
&c he used ut n fashionable wedding breakfast.
There were three uozen and all but five OF the
last dozen were completed. The stitch was
difficult, old-fashioneu one, and not many we're
able willing IN lp il The " hal
ordered them had insisted on the work being
delivered by the 18th of the month, and II was
now the 10Th anu they were not finished. nor
could she hope to be able to do them now, and
as she had been compelled to disappOint her
employers several times before on account OF
her eyesight, they had made q bargain with her
about this work that If She did not bring it at
the APPOINTED time she should only receive
half pay That very morning she hal decided
that 1t would have to be returned unfinished.
az the doctor had said no work for two
months.
Let me see the work or tell me where l can
get it, raid Annie, remembering the other
girls helplessness.
Thank YOU; it is in the top drawer of my
work table"
faint odor of rose leaves filled the room as
Annie opened the drawer. and there. in neat
little piles. lay some of the most beautiful hand
work Annie had ever seen.
why, where did you get this work? I mean,
From D. Il b. 81 said Nellie.
''Oh, you poor. poor girl! Why, I ordered
this work, and indeed You shall not suffer for
it. Why, Nellie, used to be very skillfu at
this stitch, and that is why ordered it used:
like it so much. Now will tell you what am
going to 40. am going to finish this work
myself. and In the meantime you must get well.
L will see Mrs. Dun-that lis the landlady's
name, think you said-and arrange with her
to take care Of you and let no one see you.
You sec, have always insisted on having your
mark on my work, SO 1t is now necessary that
1t be not known that you are unable 20 work.
shall come and see you every morning. and
You must get well just as quickly possible. for
there Is great deal to do. You said DIR. H
was visiting you, and know you could not he
In better hands"
1t was, perhaps, strange that not once did
Annie remember Donald Stahhope during her
visit. nor had the girl spoken OF him.
Annie had nearly reached home when she re-
cause of all her happiness that morning; for
she had been happy in giving happiness.
refusing herself to all callers, she set herself
to work NJ once to trace out the difficult and
exquisite pattern which had caused poor Nellie
SO much trouble, and it was nearly dark when
she discovered the key to 1t; and am sure she
felt prouder Of her days work than she did the
day she carried of the Annex prizes. q few
years before. And she worked so diligently
that the napkins were sent off to o. & B.'s at
tuc appointed time.
They soon came back to Annie done up in
little bundles OF Fix. tied with danny ribbons
aud folded In perfumed paper. A bill for
szoO accompanied them and two weeks later
Nellie received SIS as her share.
HOW tile two girls did enjoy it all And MS
Nellie eyes were really getting better she had
been allowed one peep at the finished work
before 1t was sent to the wedding feast.
1t was not long after that Annie persuaded
Nellie to make her home with her. The two
girls enjoyed great deal together, and Nellie's
lovely nature developed wonderfully in the
happy home and among friends.
A strange thing WAS that neither Annie nor
Donald StanhOpe ever spoke OF Nellie; neither
knew exactly why. Annie did not want to be
praised or questioned about what she had done
and liked to do, and Donald OWNED this. And
after that first attempt to explain who she was
to Annie Nellie had never referred to the
subject.
Annie was thinking Of this one morning when
Donalds card was brought to her. She had
not seen him for some time, and she tried to
hide the Joy in her voice when she bid him
welcome.
Il have come on . strange errand, Miss
Ames; a happy one for me. And want to
thank you first fur as it is possible for your
great kindness Your tender kindness, to my
sister, my dear sister, whom have been in
search of, and whose name is Nellie Brace
Grant"
.'Oh, Mr.. Stanhoper
please let ME explain to you first, as have
Our father, who was Scotch, was disinherited
far. rvfx, f,,l, <x;,l nd 20