Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1892-06-16
Valencia warren's steel-colore I'd silk

Mfeutn ana veil, carefully tolded In q
Hat pasteboard box.
"Please, men," said Patty the
maid, "there's a young person down
stairs awaiting for the money!
"Dear me, what q hurry these work
ing people are always in for their paw"
drawled Mrs. Warren, an older edition
OF her daughter, plumper, taller, and
a little more bepowdered and beroug-
ed. open the box, Valley, and let's
see. Upon my word, it is beautiful
Try 1t on, darling"
And as Valencia stood before the
full-length mirror, her queenly head
encircled by the coronal OF waxy bios
SONS, and the yapor-like folds of tulle
sweeping around her, she did look
lovely indeed.
II don't care a row of pins for the
rest, said Miss Warren, as she turn
ed complacently from side to side to
view the effect from all points of sight;
"but do want Reginald Meriman to
think | am prettyI'
He can't help it darling" said Mrs.
Warren, s~oothingly; ''he'll lose his
heart tomorrow night, if he never did
before"
But $40, mamma! l haven't got
the money. And papa is so awfully
stlngy OF late and grumbles so about
hard times.
"She must watt" said Mrs. War
rem. "Tell her so, Patty" to the
staring servant maid.
But presently Patty returned.
"She says, Miss promised
it her to-day, and"
Valencia turned shortly around,
and i'll the motion she stepped on the
trailing hem of the tulle veil, and tore
a long, zigzag rent through it's gauzy
material.
"There!" she cried, ~angrily. "Now
seel"
Hush, dear!" said Mrs. Warren,
a curious green light coming into her
eyes. Tell the girl, Patty, | wonder
what she means by sending home a
torn veil like this. She can not ex-
pect to be paid when she ruins mater
iaI inthis way. Here, young woman"
opening the door and calling over the
banisters, ''come up l.ere!"
Madeline Gray, thus summoned,
surveyed the rent with dismay and
surprise.
"Miss Warren" she cried eagerly,
''the veil was in perfect order when I
laid it in the boxl 1t must have been
torn since. and"
"There," said Mrs. Warren haught-
lily, that will do. have no desire
to protract this discussion. 1t is
enough that you have spoiled my
daughters veil. OF course, We shall
have to buy new tulle, and you can't
oe mean enough to expect pay for
your work under these circumstan-
ces."
But" cried out Madeline, 81 have
done my work and want my money!
l know nothing about this holel /"
81 never heard such impotence in
my life," said Mrs. Warren. Evil
you leave the house, young woman,
or do you want me to call a police
mani"
So Madeline went away, bewilder-
ed, deeply wounded, and marveling in
her heart that so rich a lady could be
so despicable.
Reginald Meriman was sitting in her
little work-room-somehow he had got
into the habit of coming in to see sick
Lucy quite frequently when he was in
the house visiting his friend the fresco
artist-when Madeline entered with
tear-stained cheeks and eyes swollen
with weeping.
Lucy jumped up as she closed this
door.
'Havo you got the money, sis
ter? Did Miss Valencia Warren pay
your"
And, through sobs and tears, poor
Madeline told her tale.
"Oh, Mr.. Meriman they are rich
people," she concluded. Miss Val
encia is as lovely as a picture. How
can they treat me so?"
Reginald listened in silence.
~ know Miss Warren" he said,
t'but / would not have believed this
OF her. Little Lucy, why are you
crying"
And then Lucy unfolded the scheme
about the coming May-time and the
spring yiolets.
"But there's no use talking about
it now" uttered she, piteously.
81 am not so sure OF that" said
Mr.. Meriman. "Lcok here, Lucy. /
am not the milkman's wife, but |
have O snug little farmhouse, with
plenty Of apple-trees and green fields
and a brook running close to the
door-and the old people that live
there are very fond OF children, and
will make you welcome. You shall
90 there-and sister Madeline shall 60
to keep you company, and, you may
stay all summer il you choose"
"But we haven't any money to pay
our board" faltered the child.
"Ill sect O that" said Mr.. Meriman.
"All you have got to do is to pack
your trunks and go. | am in earnest"
he added, turning to Madeline. "Ihs
old farmer and his sister are lonely,
and there's plenty OF room in the old
house. They will be glad OF your COM
pany, and it will do Lucy all the good
in the world"
"How can / thank you for your
kindness?" said Madeline, with tears
in her eyes. "For Lucy's sake can
not refuse. ] don't wonder that you
are interested in her. Everybody
loves Lucy" =,
Innocent Madeline! 1t never occurred
to her that people might possibly be
interested in her. -,
Miss Valencia Warren acted in the
bridal tableau to a large and fashion
able audience, but Mr.. Reginald
Meriman was not inthe number. And
six months afterward, as she was
driving in the park, she met an open
barouche drawn by cream-colored
steeds,
Reginald Norman and his bride"
whispered her companion, a pretty So
ciety widow.
"Jyhy," cried Valencia, with q stare
of utter amazement, 'it's the artiic-
ial-fower girl. Well, / declare, she
has drawn a prize in the lottery"
s.Sister! sister," cried out little
Lucy, pulling Madeline's sleeve, there
goes the hateful lady who wouldn't
nav you for the bridal wreath"
But Madeline Norman only smiled.
She was happy enough now to be at
peace with the whole world.-New
York Ledger.
Anotber Terror to Housekeepers.