Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-09-02
A MAID OF ARCADE.
BY ELLA }. HUNTER.

lHc COfuef slOIc dt DnuDeIhCttVtAt
was decorated for the holiday trade.
The villagers stared through tho small
window panes at the unwontcd dis
play. Sausages hung in graceful fcs-
toons. Cakes of snowy lard leaned
against a background of glossy spruce.
Even the couutry-knit mittcns, III
their ugly plaids and woful grays.
were arranged in pyramid, with a
tiny scarlet pair at the apex. The
candy-jars were no longer dingy, and
were freshly filed with home made
molasscs drops, while, on the blue
edged pie plates, was piled taffy OF
many kinds.
Inside the store the change was
still more wonderful. The shelves,
burdencd with homemade preserves,
were bortlered with evergreen. A
tray of inviting patty-pans and GIN
gcr-snapi usurped the place of the
timc-honored assortment of reels,
buttons aud following pieces of tape,
which had formerly graced the one
show-c case of the establishment. An
other innovation was the chair behind
the countcr-the pork barrel had done
service there for many ears. Lastly,
who should be in the place of the late
proprletor-the fat, wheczy Widow
Smith-but Betlinc Bnisotl She it
was who had hired the store on the
widows decease. and she it was who
nervously awaited her first customer,
for the shutters were but just taken
down.
Such loving. earnest face she had,
with its tender dark eyes-they coul,i
flash fire, if occasion were given,
though; wavy black hair, carefully
plated, vet somehow the lovelocks
would steal out; and oh such red,
pouting lips, that told of both sweet
ness aud tirmess; small of stature. but
| like most of her country women,
dressed to perfection-thc plain,
black gown with its white
bibbed apron, the scarlet korchicf
knotted at the neck, the trim slippered
feet.
just then, the pretty slippers patted
the floor impaiiently, and an anxious
look crossed the bright face, for the
venture was a serious one, with much
depending OH it.
1t was for jacques sake she had
given up 50 much. For was not
Victor waiting for her to name the
day2 The dear, handsome Victor
Had not his father at last consented
to the natch-though surely he had
objected loudly until b times god
mother died and left her dowry.
Not large sum. to be sure, but il
was ready money, and the stern
parent relented. Still Bettine. with
all her love for Victor, was puzzled.
She had besought the Blessed Virgin
to aid her when troubles had 80 OPP
pressed-when the worthless father
was brought home dead, and Jacques
was so helpless, and Vic or's fathel
so obdurate.
Her answer had come very soon tc
her. Victor had his fathers consent,
but Bettine looked further
Was not her first duty to Jacquesi
She thought SO. With her little for
tune, she bought the business and sci
bravely to work.
Her skill i'll cookery was wei
known, and with it she determined to
win wealth and education for jacques.
His case was not hopeless--so city
physician had said. He should never
be charity patient. And .hel
jacques was to have the best instruc-
ton in drawing; for was he not Q
born artist?
After that, if Victor should be
single, then she would see him.
Grill then. not at ALL" she said I'M
| periously. "Perhaps it will be better
if YOU seek another bridc-one with {
larger dowry."
Then her tender heart reproached
her for the look that crossed his hand
some face, and in her excitablc way
she flung her arms around his necl
and kissed him many times, aud, aftel
he had gone, she flung herself on The
floor and sobbed bitterly. Whel
jacques feeble voice called out, sht
almost gayly unfolded her plans Il
him. The room was dark, else hel
face would be tell-tale. So it hat
come 10 pass that she had put aside
love for duty.
A garland of gay paper flower
swayed in the draught. The frs
customer enteredI A good one, too
for the sturdy farmer had admired
her pluck, purchased liberal amour
CT her iaffy, and lett a weekly orde
for loaves of bread until "shen shoul,
be around again for ''she, like manl