Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1893-02-24
THE CORAL BRACELETS.
They Found a Protector for a
Friendless Girl

Shh
"Put on more coal, Hawkins" said
Nina Pelham ENORMOUSLY, as she sat in
front of the blazing CRATE.
Hawkins, solemn and somewhat
consequential looking servant, obeyed
his young mistress, but paused mo-
ment after he had heaped the coal upon
the red-hot bars.
'If you please, Miss Nina, there's q
young person downstairs would like to
see YOU"
what kind of person, Hawkins?"
questioned Nina, languidly lifting her
eyes.
"She's very genteel-spoken-a real
lady, you'd think. If it wasn't that she's
dressed so stability"
at isn't the dressmaker?"
mo, Miss Nina"
Nor anybody come after the lady's
maids situation?"
mo, miss, | should say not-she
doesn't look like lady's maid"
"Well, 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
timidly into the room, she sat upright
with genuine surprise depicted in her
countCnancc,
ANNA Wharton! Is it possiblc?"
"You recognize me, Nina?' said the
stranger lit is so long since we were
schoolmates at Nine. Sauriats that
l thought you would scarcely remem-
Der me-"
"Sit down." said Nina, motioning to-
ward a chair.
Miss Wharton did not sit down,
but went on speaking in hesitating
voice.
"Of course you have heard of our
misfortuncs-my fathers failure and
death, and my mothers subsequent de-
ccase?"
II had not heard of it," said Nina,
contemplating her dainty slippers.
~ am compelled to earn my daily
bread, ." rcsumed Anna. Heretofore
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 il.
81 remember you used to admire
these cornls very much in our school
days. ! have been 10th TO part with
them up to this time. But my brother
IL 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,
veincd with the softest rosC-color, that
lay in the simple caskct. She had
been cndcavoring for n year to obtain
set of rose coral, and here at length
it was, ready to her hand,
GLOW much do you expect to receive
for thcm?"
"Paya gave eighty dollars for them
in Italy"
Nina shrugged her shoulders.
"Of course you can't expect to get n
twentieth part Of that price for them
now?'
nina, | am at your mercy in this
matter. Whatever you may please to
give must accept, for | am straitened
by necessity"
II will give you five dollars" said
Nina, COMPRISING her lips.
Five dollarsw
And Anna Wharton thought, with
sinking heart, Of the dainties she had
fondly hoped TO buy for her sick broth
er 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 n 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, think
am the luSkiest little creature in the
world Now | must go and order that
new bonnet, for DIR. Carleton has in
vitcd me TO drive with him tomorrow.
The fashionable millincr's rooms
were filled with the shopping COM
munity that afternoon as Miss Pelham
swept in. She fluttered from table to
stand, glanclng at the various attrac-
lions, and dispensing gracious word
mere and there, until at length she
came to standstill, fascinated by an
elegant chapcau, which had been pro-
duccd from its bandbox for her especial
delcctation.
'Oh, what beauty! Do tell me the