Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-04-21
MisctllauenMs.
TRIED AND TEMPERED.

TRlED AND TEMPERED.
Five o'clock of piercing February
night, and so dark already that the
weariea young workwoman in Madame
Journeys fashionable drcssmakiug es-
Enlistment moved more closely to the
window to catch the fast fading beams of
light 1t was small, ill-ventilatcd
apartment, stability furnished and over
crowded with pale, tired looking girls
but whit then? Madame herself rolled
in claret-colored coupe, and kept liv-
cried servants to wait upon her door /;
and who paused not to think how her
money was made 2"
80, dear !" said Grace Hooper. with
a sigh, "This Greek pattern is so pug
cling, and my head does ache so hard,
don't see why Mrs. Wharton wants q
dress altered that she has worn but
once. Fine ladies' are full of caprices. :"
"Give it to me Grace" said Kate
Selwyn, authorativoly; "rll finish it,
and you go home to bed, unless you
want to be laid up with brain fever"
"But what is to become of your work +,
Kate p
ooh, I'll take care of that-.its but
an hour or two's extra when all's said
and DONE"
Grace Hooper hesitated moment
she knew from sad experience how try
ing was can hour or two's extra work"
when brain, back and fingers were alike
wearied out But the pain in her head
was increasing too rapidly for much re-
monstranoe.
ats very good of yon,. Katie she
said meekly, "and perhaps had better
go home"
Katie Selwyn nodded PLEASANT
"good-by" to the the pale sewing girl,
and began to work on Mrs. Wharton
wine colored silk dress with busy skill
full fingers.
She was tall, slightly made young
woman of two or three aud twenty, with
rich brown hair wound round and round
the back of her head in heavy folds and
large black eyes. There was but little
color in her cheek; Madame Tournay's
work room had stolen her roses away
long ago, but her lips were red as cut
coral, and there was an arch dimple in
her rounded chin that spoke of mirthful
temperament and of unwearing cheer.
fulness. Poor Katie it needed all her
courage TO meet the stern realities of life,
for even now she was pondering within
herself how it might be possible to meet
the landlords demand for rent, already
overdue.
II cannot pay him anyway in the
world, i" thought poor Katie; "but, oh,
it would be very hard to be turned out
Of doors in such weather as this. Why,
what makes the pocket 80 full I? Surely
Mrs. Wharton must have left something
in it,"
Katie Selwyn drew from the pocket
Of the wine colorcd dress an embroidered
silk handkerchief; but there was some
thing still remaining--a ten dollar bill |!
The room was comparatively dark
no one was observing the young seam
stress, and it was the instinct of mo.
ment to slip the money into her BOSOM
while her cheeks burned and her heart
beat with irregular quick pulsations
Some kind fate has sent it to me-"
thought Kate Selwyn. "Mrs. Wharton
will never miss the money--she has an
abundance without it, and to inc it is
home bread-shelter p
50 Kate worked away with feverish
color, and hands that would tremblo in
spite Of herself.
why, Kate, how soon you have En-
isbed il !" said one of her companions,
as she hurriodly folded il mp and laid it
on the pile Of completed dresses. "Grace
Hooper would have been two hours
about il !"
1t was late when Kate tied on her
worsted hood aud went home, through
the chill and frozen streets, the ten dollar
bill still hidden away in her bosom !
Home--it was but narrow room with
out fire or light, but it was all Katie
had
She undressed hurriodly, and crept
into her little bed /; somehow she could
not say her prayers that night. Was II
the ten dollar bill that stood between
her and the gates hcaveni
Ten dollars lit was years since
Katie Selwyn had possessed so much
money at one time. TO her it seemed
almost untold wealth--and several times
during the night she started up. hall
fancying that burglars were in the room
trying 10 abstract the precious prize
Such long, troubled, fever stricken
night And when at length she rose
unrested and unrefreshed the gray dawr
was poeping through the one window o
tho room.
III can undure il no longer. though
Kate Selwyn. IL would rather beg ny
bread from door to door, aud sleep upoI
bench in the market place than bea
tho brand Of a thief upon my conscience
| will take the money back as soon a
possible, aud try 10 forget last night, a
we forget some hideous dream"
She fitted through the street SILVER
iDg AZ tho chill breath Of early daw
;. smoto upon her forehead, and nervousl
.yn,laI tIa u.sa,uo foolala..a 81 H. o.,