The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-04-08
SARA'S ROMANCE.
The Reward Of a Girl Who Over
came False Pride.


came False Pride.
Dearest mamma, couldn't l have
it?''
Mrs. Aubrey sat by the half-light of
the dim fire-coals were by far too
dear for 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 filed 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 a serv-
ant, is trying to the most courageous
nature; yet this had been Mrs. Aubrey's
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 shred left of
the original material; she had cut off
this luxury and that condiment from
her poor table until her diet became
literally bread and water; and even
then debts grew upon her life like
'hideous fungi. Her husband had left
her trifle, but this was carefully re-
served for the expenses of her little
Sara However she might pinch and
save and starve, Sara was always COM
fortably clad, and had plenty of good,
wholesome food to eat But there are
u score of shabby-gsnteel 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 Tmber to embroider fine
work for tx stores, and even rejoiced
TO get plail sewing to do, at a rate
which was pitifully meager!
1t had been seven years of famine,
but the end of the long ordeal was APP
preaching at last Sara was being
trained for a teacher, and the gradua-
ton day was near at hand-Sara, who
had grown into tall, lovely girl. like
white lily; with deep violet eyes,
reddish-brown hair, all interviewer
with threads of gold. and cheeks of
velvety pink; and MIR. Mitchell. the
principal, had promised to use his very
best efforts to obtain a situation for
Sara when she had graduated: and all
seemed couleur de rose.
And in the winter twilight Sara had
rushed into the room, bringing with
her a breath of frozen, pine-scented
air, 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, man.
ma" the girl breathlessly added, Eek
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 overskirtsl Indeed. in
deed, Sara, as far as you are con-
cerned, it is quite out of the question:
Mammal cried out the girl.
My darling, it would cost twenty
i've dollars at the very least" urged
Mrs. Aubrey.
mo, mamma" pleaded Sara; ''onIy
twenty. Helen Hszelton says we can
buy the material all in one piece and
get considerable reduction on it; and
you know, mamma, darling, you are
such a skillful neediewoman 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, dtn't" pleaded the
mother, in whose Leart every spark
ling drop was like the acute prick of
dagger. Don't break my heart Sara!
1 should like to see you as elegantly
dressed as any girl in the school. but
you know how poor we are" .... f.
And then, with her tear-wet face hid
Aen on her mothers shoulder, Sara
Sobbed out: