The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-04-07
SARA'S ROMANCE.
The Reward of Girl Who Over
came False Pride.

The Reward of Girl Who Over
came False Pride.
Dearest mamma, couldn't l have
it?''
Mrs Aubrey sat by the half-light of
the dim fre-coals were by far too
dear for a reckless blaze to be permit
ted-with the curtain yet undrawn, so
that the tender yellow light of the
February sunset shone in, and the
angles of the room were filled with
shadows
A pretty little room it seemed now,
although it would hardly have borne
the brilliant, uncompromising light
of monday, for the carpet was darned
and mended in many place, and neatly
fashioned rag rugs had been laid skill
fully down to hide the spots which
were past all redemption. The table
cover was faded by many washing;
the curtains were arranged in folds
which should not betray the rags, and
the very mantel ornaments were mend
ed with cement.
TO keep up the outward show and
dignity of lady upon an income which
would have been insufficient for serv-
ant, is trying to the most courageous
nature; yet this had been Mrs. Aubreys
task ever since her husband died, leav-
ing her with little Sara. child of nine
summers. She had economical in the
most painful degree; she had worn her
shabby dresses until they were ready
to drop Off; she had patched her clothes
until there was scarcely Il shred left of
the original material; she had cut off
this luxury and that condiment from
her poor table until her diet became
literally Tread and water; and even
then debts grew upon her life like
hideous fungi. Her husband had left
her a tritle, but this was carefully re-
served for the expenses of her little
Sara lie wever she might pinch and
save and starve, Sara was always com.
fortably clad, and had plenty of good,
wholesome food to cat. But there are
a score of shabby genteel devices by
which reduced ladies can earn a few
dollars, and Mrs. Aubrey solicited
copying from the village lawyer, sat
up long after Sara's pretty eyes were
sealed in slumber to EN- broider fine
work for the stores, and even rejoiced
to get plain sewing to do at a rate
which was pitifully 1neager!
1t had been seven years of famine,
but the end of the long ordeal was ap.
preaching at last. Sara was being
trained for teacher, and the gradua.
/ on day was near at hand-Sara, who
had grown into tall, lovely girl, like
a white lily; with deep violet eyes,
reddish-brown hair, all interviewer
with threads of gold, and cheeks OF
velvety pink; and Mr.. Mitchell, the
principal. had promised to use his very
best efforts to obtain a situation fo1
Sara when she had graduated; and all
seemed couleur de rose.
And in the Wlnter twilight Sara had
rushed into the room, bringing with
her breath of frozen, pine-scented
ar, and told her mother how the grad
uating class were all to be dressed in
white merino and white silk shirred
overskirts and broad white ribbon
sashes.
Not a bit of color about us, nam
ma" the girl breathlessly added, lex
cept the little knots Of blue violets we
are to wear at our BELTS
Mrs. Aubrey looked aghast.
- white merino, dear! With white
silk shirred overskirts Indeed, in
deed, Sara, as far as you are con
ccrned, it is quite out of the question:
''Mamma"' cried out the girl.
My darling, it would cost twenty
five dollars at the very least" urgeo
Mrs. Aubrey.
mo, m amma," pleaded Sara; ''only
twenty. Helen Hazelton says we car
buy the material all in one piece and
get considera bic reduction on it; and
you know. mamma, darling, you are
such skillful needlewoman that nv
-dressmakers bill will be nothing."
"But even then, dearest" said Mrs.
Aubrey, where are we to get the
twenty dollars?"
Pretty Sara burst into tears
My darling, don't!'' pleaded the
mother, in whose heart every spark.
ling drop was like the acute prick of a
dagger. Don't break my heart, Sara!
/ should like to see you as elegantly
dressed as any girl in the school, but
you KNOW now poor we are.
And then, with her tear-wet face hid.
den on her mothers shoulder, Sara
sobbed out:
Couldn't have it, mamma? Oh.
darling mamma, couldn't II"
II will do up your old muslin, DEAR
sobbed the mother. "And think we
can afford some fresh blonde and the
now ri hh.,n Snrh nd >,
"Oh, mamma" Interrupted poor
Sara, must l wear that old, tattered,
:shrunken thing, when all the other
girls-are in merino and white shirred
silk?"
dearest, what else can we do?''
MrssvAubrcy could almost have cried
with Sara had she dared to give way to
her feelings
'How wretched it is to be poorr'
soobed Sara, sitting down on the
hearth rug, with her face in her moth.
ers lap. Mamma, what have we
done that we should be so cramped and
ground down, so fettered with poy-
erty?'
1T will not be so always, dear" en-.
couraged her mother.
NO." said Sara, sadly; II shall be q
teacher soon. And then, mamma, you
shall have a wine: colored cashmere
dress and atset of furs, and, will wear
what please. But, mamma, if could
only have the white merino dress this
once!''
my daughter! my daughter?'
Sara could feel the warm drops
from her mothers eyes upon her cheek.
~ -.,-' "