The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1892-08-27

excitement was abroad. The TGcES
who appeared to live i'll the dark, Va,
Just as much shut up in their house
ever, but the Woods were evon nm
noisy, lifting up loud and derisive laud
ter that flew through open windows ~
pervaded the tennis ground. Mrs. WIZ
cumb heard them as she seeded raism
and sliced citron and beat eggs, and an,
culiar smile curled her lips. She hs,
their hearts were ranking with hate
and malice.
Ann was touched by the unwonts
spirit of company hustle, and her gru
pebble eyes caught a little CLEAN d
warmth rs she sat rubbing the silver ct
feepot and sugar bowl with silicsa
Something of the cheerful stir, wit
vague puifs of perfume, the deliciCu
odors of baking cakes. must have comeu
to Miss Mayhem, secluded in her chan
Der. It was on Thursday, the day Of tn
tea party, that Ann heard the tinklngd
her mistress boil in the middle of th
forenoon. When she went up to her sh
found Miss Mayhem sitting in the chint
covered easy chair near the window that
looked ont on Captain Bligh's garden
There was a feverish spot on her pale
cheek and her eyes were eager and IN
usually bright.
Ann" she said, with little shade Of
hesitation i'll her tone, 1--we been think.
ing if could 20 down to the companv
for a few minutes just to show myself
and to tell them how welcome they Al
are"
AIMS mouth pursed and her look stiff
ened into strong aspect of disapproyd
I've lived i'll my old double gowns
and wrappers so long" she went on. faL
tering, and yet with the pathetic eager
ness in her eyes, II haven't anything II
appear in. But there are !he dresses
had before mother died all laid away n
the press. wish you would bring soAs
of them out. Ann, and let Inc look At
them"
Ann saw the fluttering, feeble hand
and the excited look in the CLASSY sunk
en- eyes. She moved toward the pres
with reluctance. rs if her joints had sud
denly grown stiff, bat she did move, and
presently came back with some amt
quated gowns hung over her arm. Then
was blue merino made for hoon
faded in streaks and wrinkled. and
pink lawn with wide, old fashionsl
sleeves and low neck to be worn with
a lace cape.
Miss Mayhem took the pink lawn n
her trembling fingers and held it up 30
side her faded. sallow face and whiten.
ing hair. where she could see herself in
the bureau glass. 1t was CHASTITY re.
hinder of her lost girlhood An odos
of dead summers and withered roses
seemed to steal out of the Old lawn. II
touched the poor woman's memories and
she let fall the pink folds from her pale
fingers. feebly pushing the gown away
with her foot rs it lay on the carpet and
broke into weak, hysterical sobs.
Put me to bed. Ann" she moaned.
sinking down like flower touched by
the frost, II am cold as ice"
1he heart seemed to break through the
strong barriers of AIMS bosom She put
Miss Mayhew's head down ON her bony
breast and smoothed her hair with her
l5notted brown fingers. There, dearie;
there, dcarie," she crooned; don't grieve
so: wish a cramp had ketched Mis-
Whitcumb afore ever she como to this
house"
Ann put her mistress to bed. tucking
her up warm under blankets with hot
water bags.
Dear me-" said Mrs. Whitcumb. when
Ann returned TO the kitchen. Il do hops
she isn't going to have one of her worst
kind Of spells. 1t might interfere with
the tea, and with them cards all out, /
shouldn't know what to do"
FRO BE CONTINUED