The rustler., 1891-11-27


by his liveried coachman, and now and
then caught glimpses of his wife, who
was both young and pretty.
One day pet bird escaped from the
great house and flew straight into the
little conservatory which Dick had con-
structed for Maggie's flowers Maggie
caught it and, putting on her bonnet,
went over to restore II to its owner.
Mrs. Sanders was profuse in her
thanks, and insisted that Maggie
should come inside and see rare col
lection of plants that had just been
added to the splendid conservatory.
Thus the ice was broken and after
this the two often exchanged greetings
or chatted over the low hedge.
About this time Maggie's little par
lor began TO look very poor and com
mon to her, and her mind was troubled
with visions of glistening mirrors, vel
vet carpets and silkcn portieres. One
day, late in autumn, Mrs. Sanders
came into the little conservatory,
where Maggie was busy in n bower OF
glowing chrysanthemums She fitted
from one flower TO another, exclaiming
over their beauty in pretty, ecstatic
fashion.
Il am TO give little affair next
Thursday evening, Thanksgiving, you
know. and had SO set my heart
on chrysanthcmum decorations; but
Baihy's are all engaged. was wonder
ing IL you would not sell few, just a
very few of these sweet things" she
added, eoaxingly, touching bunch OF
vivid, golden-hearted beauties
NO" Maggie answered, flushing
! proudly; ~ will not sell you one, but
will give you all that you care for. v
"Dear Mrs Bloom, II is TOO lovely OF
you to say so! And | want you "a
: come" just here her arm struck q
pot containing some choice cuttings,
overturning IL and breaking IL upon
) the floor 1t must be confessed, how
ever, that at this moment the rare slips
were of small account in Maggie't
, eyes Her heart was in foolish ilut
ter rs, in fancy, she saw herself AZ
5 honored guest at Mrs. Schuyler San
ders' "select affair" When ut last or
= der was restored, Mrs. Sanders wen
on:
9 Bailey will not even superintent
the decorations; but | have n penchca
for that sort of thing myself and fee
; sure that, with the assistance of YOU
exquisite taste, we could get up some
thing perfectly sweet"
Perhaps Maggie's assent to the plar
a was trifie eager; indeed fear that il
was so much so as to flavor strongly OF
gratitude. However, were there no
. plenty OF women, with substantia
bank accounts, who would have giveI
anything for an invitation 10 one O
Mrs. Sanders entertainments, not 4
d speak of being made the eonfddnte an,
adviser of the great lady herself? Whel
II Dick came home that night he foun
:. Maggie in flutter of delight.
"Why, bless you, little woman" h
exclaimed, good humoredly, you don
u imagine she wants you ut her swel
% party?"
I'm sure / don't know why sh
shouldn't" Maggie replied, with a
offended air ''You are connected wit
the bank and"
Connected with the bank! Maggie
that's too good. Connected with tn
bank! so is Pat McDuffy."
Patrick McDuffy?"
'Yes, the man that tends the furnac
and sweeps the floors"
"You used to think was as g-goo
K as a-anybody," Maggie faltered, an
It then burst into tears.
Ie "As good? Great Scott! Maggie, yo
IS know that. to me, you are worth
re whole world full of those gaddini
t. flirting women, like Schuyler Sander
N wife. But they would as soon think {
IN making equals of Pat and Biddy q
I they wonld Of you and me. But neve
SO mind, BLOSSOM he added, kissin
Or away her tears, ''if she really want
:" you. and il you really want to go yor
IS old Dick isn't gong to scold about IL.
"a II am going down town to-day,
Of Maggie announced, as they lingere
I'd over their breakfast next morninl
I'd 81 shall want some ribbons TO frcshe
N ,n ,,x hluclf silk Int ! don't Wal