Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-04-15

| charm of mystery. The Speed manu-
| factory represented to her the acme Of
luxury and wealth, while the swayine
tops of the trees In the garden seemed t.
beckon her to the promised land, the
| country of her dreams
She listened with intense interest to al
that Florence would tell her Of his master
and Of his Kindness. and his success il
| business, ard she watched with childish
| curiosity every detail Of Mr. Speeds home
life. The stone steps down to the garden
the aviary, his perfectly appointed
| brougham, al were constant objects Of her
admiration.
She knew the daily habits of the house
mold; the hours Tor dismissal OF the WORK
people; the payday. when the cashiers
lamp burned far in the evening; and Sun
days, when the profound silence about the
premises brought nearer the voices ofMiss
Annie and her cousin George as they
played together III the garden. From
Florence she had acquired much infor-
nation.
'.Show me the drawing room Windows
she would say; "and now, which is An
MES bedroom?"
And Florence, charmed with this
sympathetic infatuation for bis dear
mandatory, explained over and over
again to the child the arrangement Of the
buildings, the position Of the different
workroOms, and showed her the special
corner where his own office was situated.
Finally one day Sylvia penetrated into
this paradise.
Mrs. Speed to whom Florence had often
spoken Of the intelligence and sweetness
Of his little neigh Dor begged him to bring
her there on the occasion Of children's
party that she was arranging for Christ
mas week.
At first Mr.. Chip gave curt refusal
HE had been Inundated enough" he
muttered, ''by those Speeds, whose name
was never out OF FloIencc's mouth. Be
sides, it was a fancy dress affair. and he,
unfortunately, did not sell wallpapers,
and, consequently, could not afford to
dress his daughter in costume"
But Florence begged and entreated,
promising to take everything upon him
self, ind at once proceeded to design
costume. 49,.
1t was a memorable evening.
In Mrs. Chipps room Dora de Lacy
presid'd over SyIvia's toilette. The room
was Uttered with blight-colored draperies,
pins and reels Of cotton lay on the table.
The little girl, in her short skirt Of flannel
striped with black, stood grave and erect
before the mirror. She was charming.
The bodice was laced with black velvet
over q chcmisette of white muslin, and
her long braids Of chestnut hair fell from
beneath n broad blimmed straw hat. The
somewhat ordinary details of Sylvia's
costume were refined by the child's in
telligent face and 10y her wellbred air.
The little circle Of friends were breath
less with admiration, and, while someone
went to call the actor, Dora arranged the
folds Of the skirt, the bow Of ribbon on the
shoes, and seemed herself to be oveI.joyed
at the thought Of an entertainment which
she would never see.
The great man appeared. He made
Sylvia repeat the profound cuItsey which
he had taught her, and showed her how
to enter room, and to pay her respects
to her hostess. 1t was truly droll to see
the accuracy with which the child obeyed
these instructions.
she has the blood Of an actress in her
veins" cried the old actor, enthusiastical-
ly and. somehow, without knowing why,
that great stupid" of Il Frank felt ready
to cry.
a year after. this happy evening, had
anyone asked Sylvia what flowers deco
grated the rooms, the color ofthe furniture,
the name of the waltz that she heard as
she entered the house, she could have
each question correctly.
She forgot nothing, not one of the dress
es that whirled past her; she still heard
the childish laughter, and the sound pat
tering on the floor.
For a moment, as she sat on the Grim
son sofa, and took an ice from the tray
which an attentive servant held before
her. she thought of the dark staircase,
the small, ill-ventilated house Of her
and it all seemed to her like
Instant country, left behind for ever.
Everyone thought her charming, and
oettcd and caressed her.
Annie Speed, little shephcrdess in pink
md blue, presented her cousin George, q
hussar, who turned round
every minute or two to see the effect Of
his sabretache.
You understand, George, she is my
friend. She is coming to play with US on
Mamma has invited her"
And in the Joy of her happy little heart
Annie embraced Sylvia with vehemcnCe.
Nevertheless, the hour came to leave
the dark street, where the snow
was silently falling, up the narrow stair
case. and in tho dull room where her
mother sat waiting, the child still beheld
she glittering lights of the ballroom.
WAS it beautiful Did you enjoy it2'
questioned her mother, as she urfastened
.he pretty costume.
And Sylvia, overcome with fatigue,
slept as she stood, and began an alluring
dream then and there, that lasted all
through the days of her youth, and cost
her many bitter tears.
Annie Speed kept her word. Sylvia
went often to play with her in that pref
ty garden, and examined at her ease the
gilded aviary. She knew each corner of
the huge factory, and played many a
game of hide and-seek there on a quiet
Sunday afternoon.
Every body loved her without her ever
much affection for anyone. As
long as she was in the midst of this
luxury she was gentle and happy, but at
home again with her parents, looking at
through the cloudy window on the cor
ridor, a sullen anger filed her breast.
Sometimes she was taken for a drive IN
the park. in the beautiful brougham. and
she was invited for q week
to the country house of Anrie's grandfath-
er. Thanks to Florence. who was very
proud of the girls success, she was al
ways well-dressed. Mrs. Chip spared
no pains, and Dora was always ready to
contribute in her little friends service her
own taste and ingenuity.
Mr.. Chip. always hostile to the Speeds,
contemplated with contempt this increas-
ing intimacy The truth was that he
was never asked himself, but this reason
he naturally he never gave, and only
said to his wife
Cant you see that the girl is always
depressed when she returns home. and