The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1893-07-13

am glad YOU are pleased,
ION am always pleased with Your
work. Janet" Bertha, never failed in
pleasant acknoM Judgements to those
who worked for h,.r.
The two girls formed a striking con-
tr.tst H. they stood before Il long mir
ror-Bcrtha gazing at her pretty self
with q care-free delight in the becoming,
me-, of the new dr,s>. the sewing girl
taking in each detail OF the lit, setting
fold here. patting down Il rulllc there.
with the anxion, face belonging IL one
to whom life has turned its struggle
side. After satisfying herself that al
vas right. she said. with Il little flush.
which showed that she found the press
iug of her rights Il difficult matter,
..Wuld il he convenient Tor you To let
me- have the money very soon. Miss
Brrrhi:"
ION. suppose so. Janet. l. there
any great hurry
II haven't been very we'll" was the
hr-irating reply. No one taking care
tul heed of the hollowness of the dark
eyes and the paleness of the checks
would have needed to be told this.
And ! have been trying to arrange 10
take little holiday near the end of the
month";
II am sure YOU need it. said Bertha
warmly. "of course will let you
have the money very soon. Eight dol
lars: Yes that i, moderate. I'm sure.
Good-bye. I'm glad you are thinking
of an outing.
Bertha hurried away, fully determine
ed to be prompt in the matter of the
payment for the dress. But she was
making preparation for her own SUN
mer outing and soon allowed the mat
ter to escape her mind. The new dress,
representing so many hours OF pains
Iaking labor to the little dressmaker.
was but one feature of the more foltli-
nate girls outfit.
Ten days later Janet contrived Il pre-
text for calling at Bertha's home.
IT was coming this way and ! thought
| would just stop in with the pieces o.
your dress which forgot when /
brought it home.
YES, thank YOU. said Bertha and
intend d to take that money to you be-
fore this, Janet, but really forgot to
speak to father. He's out of town for
IA day or two. Will it do the early part
of next week.
"Oh, yes
"Wcll, I'll remember it.
"lou are not looking at all well,
said Bcrtlm's mother. gazing with
sympathy at the small, pinched tiguc.
I've been coughing good deal late
w." said Janet, .but the doctor thinks
little rest aud change will set me up
for winters work.
Mother sighed rs she took in the
difference between her own blooming
daughter and the girl to whom so little
rest came. wishing with all her heart
that she could make life smooth to
every young girl.
"l}c sure YOU don't delay about pay
ing her. Bertha she said, after Janet
had gone.
True to her promises. Bertha. early in
the following week, set out with the
money for Janet in her pocket On the
way she was met by IA friend who ask
ed Are you all ready for the tennis |
tournament:
"rhe tournament: oh, | had about /
given that up. My tennis dress looks
shabby, and am having so many new
thiags | thought Id have to get along |
with it,,
"You can't give it up. | saw Harry
Lucas yesterday and he said they had
put YOU on the program for the ladies'
doubles. Helen Marsh hal to go away |
with her sick mother. and you are in her /
place.
81 really don't see how can" said
Bertha in great perplcxity. "My dress
isn't fit to be seen in tournament.
Look here" pausing as the two pass
ed a gaily decorated shop window.
'1'hcrc's dress for you. Look ut that
blouse. Did you ever see anything
more stylish than those stripes in pale
blue and white? Only three dollars III
marked. And there's flannel for your
skirt that exactly matches it. just your
color, Bertha
but | was not intending to get Il new
suit, said Bertha.
but you say you need it, and I'm
sure that's not high. You can make up
the skirt Yourself and the whole thing
will cost so little. If you haven't the
money with you can let you have it us
well as not
Thank you, 1t isn't that said Bertha
Eight dollars were in her
purse. The tennis dress was most
but she thought uneasily of
her dressmaker's bill,
after ALL she reasoned with herself,
there can be no great hurry about pay
ing Janet. She was not to go away I'M
til the end of the month and that isn't
here yet
The dress was bought, and in the
interest of making it and the tourna-
ment. the days passed without an oh
trusive thought of the white face and the
cough for which change was needed.
The tournament took place in neigh
boring town which was something OF Il
sumner resort. Bertha met many of
her school friends and, being invited to
visit from one to the other, spent two or
three weeks away from home.
1t was at family worship on the first
after her return that the
thought of Janet was first forced upon
her mind. Her father was an impress
sive reader of the Bible, and few SEN
fences came upon her with startling
distinctness: Thou shalt not Cypress
n hired servant that is poor. At his day
thou shalt give him his hire, neither
shall the sun 90 down upon it; lest he
cry against thee unto the Lord, and it he
sin unto thee.
Keenly it struck to her heart that she
had in her utter thoughtlcssncss and
selfish seeking after her own pleasure
kept back title hire of the poor and
needy" The Lord with stern justice
had marked such things in the olden
time. Why should He not now:
She procured the money and set out
at once for .Janet's home. Nearing the
house She perceived stir rather UNI
iisll,l in the cross street. the next /