Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-01-23

~ minutes of that
hour" glanciug at her elegant little
watch set with pearls.
Every well, my dear, only see that it
needs no alteration, for l wish you to
appear to the best advantage at Mrs.
Blair's this evening""
"Never fear, mamma, but that will,
replied Alice, returning to her book
the last new novel, while Mrs. Stanley
glided away as softly as she had entered
Ten minutes passed, and Alice yawned
and looked listlessly oIt of the window.
AS the clock on the mantelpiece, with
musical note, struck four, Alice's eye
caught figure passing the window, and
starting up, she exclaimed:
sob, there she ISL and went toward
the door. "I'm glad to see you come
so punctually, Miss Fielding; it is a great
virtue in any one, but especially in
seamstress.
ayes, Miss Stanley, I hurried very
much to have your dress completed at
the appointed hour"
"Why did you hurry so much7 l am
afraid you have not sewed it as nicely as
desire. gave you plenty of time
You did; but last night had such
severe pain in my side that was obliged
to keep still; and this morning worked
very hard, so you need not be disap-
pointed at four O'clock"
at is all right, then," said Alice;
"come up TO my room, and l will try it
on and see if it needs any alteration"
Alice ran lightly up stairs to her hand
some room, followed by poor Nora, who
was very weak and faint for having
scarcely tasted food that day, and having
been at work so steadily. She sank into
an easy chair, almost too weary to
speak.
Handsome lace curtains drape1 the
windows. In one was suspended bas-
ket of trailing ivy, in the other hung a
bird-cagc, its occupant nearly breaking
its little throat with Qush of melody
on the entrance of its mistress.
"Oh, hush, you little pet; your well
come is too noisy" said Alice, going up
to the cage and placing a piece of sugar
between the wires. ''Now for the
dress!" she exclaimed, arraying herself
in it before the dressing-table, which
was covered with jewelry aud all the
app1rtcnances of a lady's toilet.
As Nora laced the dress she regarded
Alice with great admiration. She was
tall and slight, graceful as a sylph, with
golden hair, banded back from a lovely
face. But her beauty was marred by
look of discomfort, an expression of
WEAKNESS.
The dress, of rich crimson, very low in
the neck, and trimmed with point lace;
the short sleeves were adorned with the
same. 1t set off her figure to the great
tst advantage, as its folds trailed on the
floor
at fits beautifully" said Alice, ''and
think l shall appear to better advan-
tage than any one else this evening.
desire to be the belle of the night, )"
gazing proudly on herself in the glass.
Miss Stanley" said Nora, in a hest
tating tone of voice.
''What is it?' answered Alice, edo
not be afraid of speaking"
'Will you be so very kihd as to pay
me for this dress, and for the others |
have made you?"
Chow much is itl" asked Alice, taking
out her purse.
Fifteen dollars
81 have not that in my purse, and |
do not wish to take the trouble of asking
mamma. Come tomorrow at this hour
aud you shall have it."
Nora glided from the room with an
aching heart, for she needed the money
sorely. Let us follow her as she walks
rapidly through the different streets till
she comes to the more obscure part of the
city, passes down wide alley, enters a
tenement house, and, ascending broken
stairway, stops at the door of a third
story front room.
Is that you, my daughterl' asked a
eeble voice as she entered the room.
"Yes, dear mother" Nora answered,
IN cheerful manner.
at is very cold, Nora, is it not "
"Yes, and so slippery; could hardly
keep my footing"
"Was Miss Stanley pleased with her
dress1
Perfectly. She did not pay me, but
requested me to call tomorrow; but
hardly expect to receive it thcn," said
Nora dcspoudingly.
Never mind, dear Nora; trust in God,
and all will be right"
eyes, mother, do; but then some
times it is very hard.
"God has not forgotten us, dear
Nora. He has put it in the heart of a
kind friend to remember us. Mrs. Ham
lin sent me nice glass of jelly and some
delicious chicken broth. have warmed
some for you; you must need it after your
long walk"
THANK you, mamma; do feel very
tired and exhausted.
After the evening meal was over, Nora
said:
Mamma, Miss Stanley gave me an
other dress to make. Is it not hanl-
some3" holding up a RIGA black silk.
"She wishes to have it before Sunday"
All thai evening Nora sewe1, while
Alice was floating in the may dance, the
bale of the room, the loveliest of all the
lovely girls gathered at Mrs. Blair's.
But Alice was not Nora's equal; both in
figure and face the poor seamstress far
outshone the wealthy belle.
The next day, at four, Nora passed up
the steps of the handsome mansion of
Mrs. Stanley, and rang the bell. A foot
man, in livery, opened the door.
''Can see Miss Stanleya' askei Nora,
eagerly.