The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-01-21
THE CORAL BRACELETS,
They Found Protector for a
FriondleSS Girl.

Nina Pelham ENORMOUSLY, us she sat in
front of the blazing CRATE.
Hawkins, Il solemn and somewhat
consequential looking servant, obeyed
his young Mistress but paused mo-
mcnt after he had hcapcd the coal upon
the rcd-hot bars.
"If you please, Miss Nina, there's n
young person downstairs would like to
see YOU"
"What kind of person, Tawkins?"
questioned Nina, languidly lifting her
eyes.
''Shcs very neutrality-suspicious. real
lady, you'd think. If it wasn't that she's
dressed so stability"
1T isn't the drcssmaker?"
mo. Miss Nina"
Nor anybody come after the latly's
maids situation?"
mo, miss, should say not-she
doesn't look like a lady's maid."
We'll, show her up."
And Nina's pretty head settled back
among the cushions of her chair with
returning Incidence. But the instant
her eye fell on the sweet, pale face of
the slender looking girl who advanced
tlmdly into the room, she sat upright
with genuine surprise depicted in her
countcnancc,
Anna Wharton! Is it possible?'
You recognize me, Eina?" said the
stranger. ut is SO long since we were
schoolmntcs ut Mime. Sauriats that
thought you would scn~ccly rcmcm.
Der me-"
"St down." said Nina, motioning to-
ward Il chair.
Miss Wharton did not sit down,
but went on speaking in Il hcstating
voice.
"Of course you have heard of our
death, and my mothers subsequent de-
ccasc?"
II had not heard of it," said Nina,
contemplating her dainty slippers.
81 am compelled to earn my daily
bread resumed Anna. "IIcrctofore l
have experienced no difficulty in com
fortably supporting both myself and
my little brother. But since he has
fallen ill"
81 am sorry, but my allowance of
pocket money is so very small that"
Anna Wharton colorcd scarlet.
'You entirely misunderstood mel
do not come here to beg"
She drew little morocco box from
her pocket and opened it.
al remember you used to admire
these corals very much in our school
days. have been 10th to part with
them up to this time. But my brother
is dying. wish to sell the bracelets,
Nina, and thought you might like to
purchase them"
Nina leaned forward in her chair and
took the box, her eyes sparkling at the
sight of the beautifully carved coral,
veined with the softest rose-color, that
lay in the simple casket. She had
been cndeavoring for year to obtain
set of rose coral, and here at length
it was, ready to her hand.
How much do you expect to receive
for thcm?"
Papa gave eighty dollars for them
in Italy"
Nina shrugged her shoulders.
''Of course you can't expect to get a
twentieth part of that price for them
now?"
Nina, I am at your mercy in this
matter. Whatever you may please to
give must accept, for am straitcncd
by necessity"
Il will give you five dollars" said
Nina, mpressing her lips.
Five dollars"
And Anna Wharton thought, with q
sinking heart, of the dainties she had
d, fondly hoped TO buy for her sick broth
err from the proceeds of these delicate
ornaments.
''Just as you please" observed Nina,
coldly.
Anna silently placed the ornaments
on the table beside Miss Pelham, and
held out thin hand, that would trem-
BILE little, in spite of her effort at
self control, for the money.
"What exquisite corals could not
buy them for one hundred dollars!'
was Nina's exclamation the moment
she was left alone. Really, l think
am the lrekicst little creature in the
world. Now must go and order that
new bonnet, for DR.. Carleton has in
vitcd nc to drive with him tomorrow.
The fashionable millincr's rooms
were Gllcd with the shopping COM
mua;ty that afternoon rs Miss Pelham
swcp: in. She nuttcred from table to
st:nd, Slancing at the various attrac-
tioas, and dispensing a gracious word
mere and there, Until at length she
came 10 a stnndstill, fascinated by an
elegant chapcau. which had been pro-
Guccd from its handbook for her especial
delectation.
''oh. what bcautyl Do tell me the