The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1892-06-09
SARA'S ROMANCE.
The Reward of a Girl Who Over
came False Pride.

dearest mamma, couldn't l have
t9'
Mrs Aubrey sat by the half-light of
the dim fire-coals were by far too
dear for reckless blaze to be permit
ed-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
andmended 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 a 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. Aubrey's
task ever since her husband died, leav-
ing her with little Sara, a 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
hldeous 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
iortably clad, and had plenty of good,
wholesome food to eat. But there are
score of shabby-genteel devices by
Which reduced ladies can earn a few
collars, 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
'oget plain sewing to do, at rate
which was pitifully meager!
1t had been seven years of famine,
uut the end of the long ordeal was ap-
preaching at last Sara was being
framed for teacher, and the gradua-
aoh day was near at hand-Sara, who
hdd grown into a tall, lovely girl, like
Whlte lily; with deep violet eyes,
sh-brown hair, all interviewer
win threads of gold, and cheeks of
'eiVety pink; and Mr. Mitchell, the
p'inclpal, had promised to use his very
Oest efforts to obtain a situation for
'afa When she had graduated; and all
seemed couleur de rose.
aud in the winter twilight Sara had
,Ssoed INTO the room, bringing with
- q breath of frozen, pine-scented
~ ana told her mother how the grad
atihg class were all to be dressed in
sui'e merino and white silk shirred
sashes.
Not bit of color about us, NAM
.he girl breathlessly added, sex
pt tne little knots of blue violets we
We to wear at our belts"
.s,r, mrs Aubrey looked aghast.
an. "nite merino, dear! With white
das, snirred overskirtsl Indeed, in
sss sa' Sara, as far as you are con-
aeu' ass 1t is quite out of the question:
M, smammae cried out the girl. p
g. y Darling, it would cost twenty
NJ. ooiiars at the very least" urged
twsa 10 mamma,n pleaded Sara; "only
bpv b.,a =. Helen Hazelton says we can
o.; : 'he material all in one piece and
sos sos : :, con siderable reduction on it; and
A40W' mamma. darling, you are