Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-02-09
THE CORAL BRACELETS.
Thoy Found a Protector for @
Friendless Girl

Friendless Girl
put on more coal, Hawkins," said
Nina Pelham querulously, as she sat In
front OF the blazing CRATE.
| Hawkins, q solemn and somewhat
conseque initial looking servant, obeyed
his young mistress, but paused n mo-
ment after he had heaped the coal upon
the red-hot bars.
"1f you please, Miss Nina, there's n
young person downstairs would like TO
see YOU"
what kind Of 4 person, HawlinsP"
questioned Nina, languidly lifting her
eyes.
'She's very genteel-spoken--a real
lady, you'd think. u II wasn't that she's
dresred so shabbily."
ut isn't the dressmaker7"
mo, Mss Nina"
Nor anybody come after the lady's
maids situation2"
| mo. miss, should say not-sho
doesn't look like lady's maid"
"wen, show her upl'
And Nina's pretty head settled back
among the cushions Of her chair with
returning indolence. But the instant
her eye fell on the sweet, rale face of
the slender looking girl who advanced
timidly into the room, she sat upright
with genuine surprise depicted In her
countennnce,
ANNA Whartoni Is It possiblep"
| "You recognize me, Ninn7" said the
stranger. ut Is so long since we were
schoolmates at Nine. Sauriat's that
] thought you would scarcely remem-
Der me-"
"Sit down." said Nina. motioning to-
ward chair
Miss Wharton did not sit down,
but went on speaking In q hesitating
voice.
'Of course you have heard Of our
misfortunes-my fathers failure and
death, and my mothers subsequent de-
cease2"
~ had not heard OF It," said Nina,
contemplating her dainty slippers
~ am compelled TO earn my daily
bread" resumed Anna. Heretofore !
have experienced no difficulty In com
fortably supporting both myself and
my little brother. But since he has
fallen Ill"
~ am sorry, but my allowance OF
pocket money is so very small that"
Anna Wharton colored scarlet
"You entirely misunderstood mel
do not come here to beg"
She drew n little morocco box from
her pocket and opened it
~ 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
II dying. I 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 caslSet She had
been endeavoring for n 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 themP"
Papa gave eighty dollars for them
in Italy"
Mia shrugged her shoulders
''of course you can't expect to get
twentieth part Of that price for them
nowp"
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 Ave dollars" said
Nina, COMPRISING her lips.
Five dollars"
And Anna Wharton thought, with
sinking heart, OF the dainties she had
fOndly hoped 10 buy for her sick broth
err from the proceeds OF these delicate
ornaments.
Just us you please" observed Nina,
coldly
Anna silently placed the ornaments
on the table beside Miss Pelham, aud
held out thin hand, that would trcm-
bic a little, in spite of her effort at
self control, for the money.
| what exquisite coralsl could not
buy them for one hundred dollars!"
was Nina's exclamation the moment
she was left alone. Really, ! think
am the luekiest little creature In the
world. Now | must go and order that
new bonnet for DR.. Carleton has in
vited me to drive with him tomorrow
| The fashionable milliner's rooms
| "SIo uilcu WIN tue bnOppluR COM
munity that afternoon as Miss Pelham
swept in. She 6uttered from table TO
stand, Rlancing at the various attrac-
lions, and dispensing a gracious word
here and there, until at length she
came TO stapdstill, fascinated by an
elegant chapeau, which had been pro-
duced from Its bandbox for her especial
delectation.
'oh, what . beauty Do tell me tho
price, madam" she CALCULATED, with
sparkling eyes.
"A trihe-a mere trifle," said the mil.
liner, patting the strings with soft lit
tie hands, around the taper fingers Of
which fashionable ladies were daily
~woun1" by tho so0rs. "Thirty-lye
dollars Is oil"
"Thirty-fivo dollarsi hardly dare
10 pay 40 much for a bonnet, madam"
said Nina. Papa scolds about my ex-
travngnnce and makes such dreadful
faces over the bills"
The willy Nine. DIIeriot held up the