Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1891-11-21

N'N 49, 'faf@ ~ ''Ns 4 tlfSA
the floor. 1t must be confessed, how.
ever, that at this moment the rare slip,
were of small account in Maggie'>
eyes. Her heart was in a foolish tlut
ter as, in fancy, she saw herself an
honored guest at Mrs. Schuyler San,
ders' select affair" When at last or.
der was restored, Mrs. Sanders went
on:
Bailey will lot even superintenG
the decorations: but l have a pearlcnt
for that sort of thing myself, and feel
sure that, with the assistance of Your
exquisite taste, we could get up some.
thing perfectly sweet
Perhaps Maggie's assent to the plan
was a trifie eager; indeed | fear that it
was so much so as to flavor strongly of
gratitude. However, were there not
plenty of women. with substantial
bank accounts, who would have given
anything for an invitation to n d
Mrs. Sanders entertainments, not tc
speak OF being made the coHfdqate and
advisero of the great lady herself? When
Dick came home that night he found
Maggie in a flutter of delight.
why, bless you, little woman" he
exclaimed, good humoredly, you don,
imagine She wants you at her swell
party?'
I'm sure | don't know why she
shouldn't Maggie replied, with an
offended air, You are connected with
the bank and"
Connected with the bank, Maggie,
that's too good. Connected with the
bank! so is Pat McDuffy,"
Patrick McDuffy?"
Yes, the man that tends the furnace
and sweeps the floors"
You used to think | was as g.good
as a-anybody," Maggie faltercd, and
then burst into tears,
AS good? Great Scott. Maggie, you
know that, to me, you are worth a
whole world full of those gadding,
flirting women, like Schuyler Sanders
wife. But they would as soon think OF
making equals of Pat and Biddy as
they wonld of you and me. But never
mind, Blossom he added. kissing
away her tears, "if she really wants
you, and if you really want to 90, your
old Dick isn't gong to scold about it y
Il am going down town to-day"
Maggie announced, as they fingered
over their breakfast next morning.
Il shall want some ribbons to freshen
up my black silk, but | don't want
money, sir" she added saucily, as Dick
produced his pocketbook. Il had a
note from Mr.. Grant yesterday, saying
that he is at last ready to pay me the
ten dollars that was due my salary
when | left his service"
If you go down to Grants you can
step into the insurance office and leave
this" Dick said, LAYING a ten dollar
bill beside her plate. Tomorrow
will be the last day of grace" he add.
ed, land ! wouldn't have you forget il
for the world
should you forfeit your policy?"
NO, | could redeem that at any time
within three months; but. in case of an
accident, | should receive no benefits. 8"
But there has never been an acct
dent" Maggie said, shuddering.
mo, and let us hope there may never
be. Nevertheless, little woman, don't
forget to hand Fergus the money"
When Maggie went down town she
had intended going Immediately to the
insurance Office. However, as Bal.
four's lay directly IN her way, she
could not resist the temptation to go in
and look through the ribbon counters.
At the glove counter were a couple o.
ladies whom Maggie recognized as be.
longing TO the Schuyler Sanders set.
As she paused a moment in the crowd
she caught snatches of the converse
ton: Mrs. Schuyler Sauders," Every
recherche affair" 30, yes, full dress, Of
course" ''Mauve faille and diamonds
= Maggie's heart sank. How poor and
cheap her black silk had suddenly be-
come. She was sure, very sure that
no amount of fresh ribbons could make
it full dress" She wandered aimless-
ly across to a darkened a~lcove, where
evening fabrics were displayed by gas
light. The salesman was showing n
lot of glistening satins to a couple of
young girls. From their conversation,
it seemed that they were in search Of
something for amateur theatricals.
80 r~idiculously cheap, too" the
young man was saying, as he held at
arms length a piece of coral-pink satin,
only fifty cents a yard"
Only fifty cents! Maggie could
scarcely believe that she had heard
Alright. Why, her plainest afternoon
dress had cost that much. And coral
pink-it was her favorite color. The
young girls had turned away; Maggie's
heart seemed to stand still, then a dar-
ing resolution was born.
''Is this suitable %for.evening dresses?'
she inquired timidly, as she stepped up
10 the counter.
Eyes. ma'am," answered the clerk,
promptly, taking in Maggie's social
status at a glance. "Some Of our
' smartest Paris importations are from