Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1892-06-16

-MASNSSE- Mrs. Meriman,'
\HETI,TgSHxZ said Valencia
sSESk&pJI Warren-"I do
yP~ feel such sincere
sympathy for the suffering poor
Mamma says l am foolishly sensi-
tive on the subject"
And she rolled up her lovely lark
spur blue eyes like the picture of ST.
Cecilia.
1t was a chilly spring day the wind
bowling in drifts of dust down the
street, the lead-grey clouds piled in
billowy lines across the northern sky,
and occasional snow-fiurries obscur-
ing the raw air. But Miss Valencia
Warren troubled herself little about
the external atmosphere. A porce-
lain iardiniere, richly painted in imi-
tation of Sevres, extended along the
inner ledge OF the windows, and was
filed with fragrant Naples v~iolets,
spikes of h%yacinth, bells and t~angies
OF migonette; a green and scarlet lory
swung in his gilded ring; canaries sang
as if their little threats were filed
with fairy bugles, and the low CRATE
fire,glowed cheerily behind the plate
glass screen, set in a carved border OF
gilt fern leaves.
Valencia Warren reclined gracefully
in a low satin-puffed easy-chair, with
a new novel in her lap. Mrs. Meriman
sat opposite in black velvet, trimmed
with silver-fox furs, and a French hat,
half hidden in ostrich plumes.
Not particularly my protegee, my
dear" said Mrs. Meriman. Reginald
found her one day when he was look
ing otter some f~resco-artist or other,
to decorate his new house. Artists
always do live in such outlandish
places, you know. An artificial-fower
maker-and Reginald liked her style
80 well that he left an order for a
hanging basket OF pelargoniums and
two vases of roses-and, really,
they're the prettiest things I've got in
my drawing-room. And she works SO
cheap, too. Only So for the pslargon-
iums, and you couldn't buy them at
Minelli's for fifteen. So | shouldn't be
surprised if you get the wreath of
clsmatis and orange-blossoms for
your bridal tableau quite reasonably"
What is the name?' languidly
asked Miss Warren, pulling out a little
tablet of ivory and tortoise-shell.
Madeline Gray"
Quite pretty and romantic, upon
my word" said Valencia. 81 think
you said No. street, fourth
story, front room didn't you? Why
do all such people want to live up no
end ofstairs for? And why don't they
have elevators in those horrid tene-
ment houses2"
Madeline Gray was busy at work
the next day, cutting out the gradu-
ated leaves of q Geaut DIES betailles
rose, with her pale little sister helping
with the less complicated portions OF
the foliage and buds, when Miss War
rem rustled into the room, dressed IN
s~teelcolored silk, with q sleeveless
Jacket OF prune- blue velvet, and such
great amethysts swinging in her ears
| that they seemed to make purple
flashes through the room every time
the sun struck them.
"Are you the artiicial-fiower-
maker?" demanded she, putting up
her gold eyeglasses.
Madeline rose up in a tutter and
| courtesied assent.
II am recommended here by q
friend" said Miss Warren. "They
tell me you work cheaply."
Again Madeline bowed, while little
Lucy crept behind her and got hold OF
her skirts.
what does make that child cough
so?" demanded Miss Warren, petu-
lantly. upon my word, it quite goes
through my head
"My sister is delicate, ma'am," re-
gponded Madeline, her usually pale
cheeks flushing n little at the gratul'
| tous insolence OF the fine lady. may
/ ask what your order ls!'
ooh" said Valencia, who had beer
staring round at the little pine-cone
frames and water-color pictures that
hung around the walls, II want q
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and orange
| blossoms, with plenty OF long trans
and a few green leaves. something
delicate and tasteful, you know. >,
II will show you some OF my WORK,
said Madeline, opening a bureau
drawer and taking out a % OF dam
! ty blossoms; which only lacked scent
TO rival natures sell.
Very pretty! Very nice!. nc MISS 81
Warren, eyeing them critically. i
want il for n tableau-The Brides
Doom'-in which | am to appear two
weeks from tonight"
1.-TWO weeks from tonight repeat
ed Madeline, apparently considering
within herself. IL think | could un.
dertake to let you have them by that
time"
1And what will you charger
aft will be worth at least $50.
~ am not prepared to pay lmpos,,
sihle prices" said she. "Say so; ana
I'll think OF it." =,
~ could not make such a wreath as
Won want for that price" SAID Maae'
line. gently but firmly,
'sSix then"
'Not less thanten.
AZ thought you worked cheap.
cried Valencia, pettishly. However,
7 unpose one must submit TO lusl
s,cb ertortions in the world. BE sure
O are punctual; and, Of course you gu
will make I'D the tuile veil and iasten
the wreath on at that prlceF,
at il not usual" hesitated Mace
line. .but il you insist upon IL
sVsrv WELL" interrupted MISS war
,er. 7 win send around the tulie IN a
aay or two. Be sure it is oil artistic,
ua5 ~ 70 nature. and all that sort