The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1893-12-05

governess; the school lists were crowded
to overdowing; from the stores Ninetse
shsank with trembling horror, alter she
had seem the smooth, nice, oily-tacec
superintendents of one or two.
II can do nothing more for You,
said the stout female at length, ''unless,
indeed, they can give you employment
at the Decoration Rooms. 1t wont cost
anything for you to 60 and see!'
To the Rooms OF Decorative Art Min
cite accordingly went. The directre9s
was engaged. She would see the young
person presently. Let her be shown into
the workroom.
A great, bright, well-ventilated apart
ment tiled with busy workers, some at
frames, some at tables, soma standing
before easels; and one pale, middle'ased
women was drawing a design for wall
paper on huge sheet Of coarse paper
daisies, corn.do8ers, trailing vines, all
tangled together.
"That is not right" exclaimed MIN
ette, involultarily, as she watched the
slow, uncertain progress Of the pencil.
'Let me show you how to bring that
vine out!" - "'.7~'~t
The woman stared, but Ninette had
caught the pencil from her hand, and,
with two or three bold strokes, altered
the whole character Of the design. From
mediocre it became original; from stiff
ness it took on wild, woodland grace.
"How did yol do that" asked the
stupid, middle-agea woman in bewiIdsr,
Uent. S7s s.
"I don't know" confessed Ninette,
crimsoning. "But don't you see-can't
you comprehends 1t couldn't be other
wise! It must come out SOL" ,. !.
A hand was lstd lightly on her shoul-;
der, and turning around she found her
self looking into the calm, amused eyes
of the directress.
"You are right, my child" said she,
"it could not be otherwise. But it is
not one in thousand who would know
it. Come here, I must talk with you'll"
That half-hour in the work-room Of
the Decoration Society was the turning
point of Ninette Beauvoir's life. She
had found her niche in life's temple.
She could scarcely reckon up within
her own mind the number of years that
had passed when she sat alone IN the
little private parlor of the Decoration
Rooms in the soft dusk of March even
ing, with the red CLEAN of the fire filling
the room with dreamy softness. She
had grown from an impulsive child into
tall, beautiful, seif-poised woman, who
presided over the rami6cations OF the
great society with queenly dignity and
well-balanced judgment. And Ninette
was happy now in having discovered her
true career.
The girl entered with lights. Miss
!Beauvoir glanced up.
~ shall not need the light, Gretchen, "
sbe said. 81 am going home as soou as
the carriage comes for me-"
| "There is an old gentleman, Miss
lBeauvoir, to see you." said the girl,
apologeticslly. 81 told him it was past
hours. but be said he had walked long
distance to see you, aud seemed so old
and feeble that didn't like to refuse
him. He has portfolio under his arm. "
"Where is he, Gretchene In the re-
ception zoona" interrupted Miss Beau
volr. ~ will 20 to him" =
A tail, STOPPING old man, vita scanty
locks, threadbare clothes and gloves
mepded until they resenbled piece Of
raosalc, turned as she entered.
ssDo speak," be asked, $50 the head
of the establishment"
Miss Beau7oir inclined her head. In
the dark silk dress and mantle gsd
with fur she looked even older, more
digni6ed than her years.
II an very poor," he said. 81 have
met with reverses in business and am
quite dependent on the exertions of my
daughters. They have been brought up
ladies, and, consequently, are compare.
.ti7ely helpless; but they have done a
little needlework, for which they would
he GLAD to obtain g fsi1 price, and"
"Mr. Treoietoni;; cried out Ninette.
holding out both her hands. =.
| He flushed deeply.
That is my name" he said," but
was not aware"
"dave you forgotten mef" she inter
rupted. Little Ninette Beau7oir
Don't you remember that We arc cousins
NV circumstances are good" sn5 aided,
colorine a little. Il receive al ex'
cellent salary here and have money laid
up. Do you think I can allow my
fathers cousin to wantf I have COM
Portable home; it shall be yours, and my
cousins also. BY carriage is at the door
now. Let US 60 together to your home.
And Minette, in her enthusiasm, over
ruled poor Nr. Trebieton's feeble oo]ec'
tions.
"a comfortable home she mad called
it, but to the poverty sy-strickea inhabl-
tants of tenenent-holse on Grand
street the little brown-stone dwelling
seemed palace, with its bright open
fires. its sweetness of hot-house flowers,
its moss-soft carpets, dark oiled boards
and walls tinted with the softest OF
colors.
Mr. Trebleton sat feebly down 10 the
big velvet arm chair; his pale, sickly
daughters stood beside him, embarrassed
vet happy in their young cousins warm
Southern welcome.
do you meau," he faltered, 'that
we are to live here-alwaysl"
"What else could I possibly neaoF
said NiIette, kneeling to arrange the
coffee and fruit on the table at his sidc.
| .-oo.,e;,c2 Whore shouid