The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-07-27


leading. 70 Nine Dnprc's room
poor rs the old lady really was bare
as were her surroundings, there was
something about her which had al.
ways appealed 10 something IN httlc
-Jen's natarr 81 which she hal not to-
fore been conscious. Il was the ~
tinemeni ~ the sufferer. her delicate
courtesy. which showed itself ia Tho
way she accepted a Kindness 81 tried 10
extend a hospitality, the latter being
ct present only the bright smile and
outstrctchod hand with which I'm waa
welcomed
.'Non are like sunshine to me.
cAerie the old lady said. rs Jen, Iac-
corsling to custom, Invested herself Of
hat and gloves md sat down by the In
vaiid's bedside She saw AZ once a
change in the clear dark face pr.
Byrncs had told her only that morning
the poor lady's hours wcrG numbered,
yet Jenny. strong in youth and health.
felt a keen shock from what she saw as
proof Of his words. Only for moment,
however The wan face Of the invalid
had such peaceful. holy calm about Il
--it was so content
There are many things have
wanted 70 say to-day, dear little girl,
Nine Dnpre half whispered II have
thought so much 81 what brought me
here Ito find some trace Of Col Roger
sons brother As you know, only
heard Of his denth And now, Jenny. l
am going to leave you what would
have given him. the one wedding pres
ent prepared for my darling Angeliquc,
Alas, II was too iatel She was ten
miles away from our plantation. had
but ono person ~ trust with II, m old
negro who was faithful ii rs through
all ] gave 1t To him 10 carry 10 my
darling with my blessing Well. her
bctrothcd had been killed that day and
week later she yielded TO the dread
full fever raging In New Orleans at the
time caspar brought back the cush.
ion-only a little cushion, chile. but II
shall be yours Il has been my one
memcnto Of that time. /"
Dear madame" said Jennie, very
gently, ''do not think Of what will sad
den yon'
"But It does not, exclaimed the old
lady, softly, "Oh, no; II Is my happi-
ness. Go. my dear, to the chest ~
drawers; open the small one: there yon
win Hnd It. We had strange ways In
those hard war times" the old lady
continued, as Jen, firmly convinced
madame was wandering, quietly did
her bidding 1T Is only an old PIN
cushion, but It could tell its story.
Jsn opened the small drawer, and
saw, pinned In ycllowish piece Of
linen, the cushion. Fashioned Of faded
blue md white brocadc, edged with
old lace. there was something about II
which appeared 70 Jen strangely. The
old war days were only history TO
eightccn-year-oldJ en, and this cushion,
made Of what Ind once been d splendid
fabric. might have represented rcvoin-
tionary times as well rs those Of the
early sixties Then II had been meant
for the wedding gift Of Angclique. who
was. from madnme's stories an ideal
creature TO the young girl. Jcn carried
the old cushion with rcvcrcnt fingers
to mndame's bed
Yours, dearest" murmnrcd the old
lady IAN have to leave you--and
for that ! have made my WILL"
Only Jen and Teddy Barry, and the
people with whom Mime. Dnpre
had lodged, followed the old lady to
her grave on the 10th An hour later
Hiram Dali was at the farmhouse,
with. II possible, n more disagreeablc
expression than usual on his face.
II wish you Joy, Jenny" lie said.
with a sneer lyon nrc the old mad
amc's sole heir, llci hci She sent for
me TO draw up the will All for pin
cushionl''
He tossed It across the table CON
temptnously. Jenny could scarcely
control herself She felt rs though her
old friends lcgncy WINS dcsecrated.
''Giot running string In Ii, too. \ CON
,tinued the old man, like a bag
Jenny was looking at tho cushion
with wet eyes. She had really loved
the old Creole lady Now. ns DAN
spoke, she looked under the lace at
one side Of Angelique's Zone wedding
gift and saw. sure enough, the thin
silhen ribbon run In and tied at the
end Her looscning Of the knot so
long ago fastened was almost mechani-
cal, and then--how no one present ever
could exactly say, but as the brocnde
drew back out from the sawdust
rolled upon Jenny's lap heap Of shin
ing Jewels, rubies and opals, and bank
notes In what seemed 10 tho girl an
Aladdin like profusioni After all, 1t
tvaa aasilv cxnIained Situated M she
had been, Mime Dupre's one means 81
sending money and the jewels to her
only child had been Ia this fashion
No one would suspect old Caspar OF
carrying such treasure in a pin
cushion Of faded brocade, and since
Angeliqne's death the sentiment In the
French woman's nature perhaps a
touch Of superstition had led her 20
keeping it intact Who can say2
This Is true story. chapter out Of
the life Of one Of my friends, who now,
happy mistress Of the bonniest farm
In Connecticut, tells her children the
Cushion story, Z and In corner cabi-
net in her parIpr the blue and white
brocade and old lace have their es-
pecial niche. Jenny INDUCED la no
mean triumph over old Dali when with
madame's queer legacy she bought
back the farm. but she and Teddy had
their own hour, Of rejoicing, and when
ever he does any specially fine piece
Of work in his profession Jcn likes TO
say: That's bit Of our cushion. -
Harper's Young People