Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-12-08
CHAPTER X.


pleasure before of trying on everything and
preparing great surprise for Taras. In
this delicious occupation spent two hours,
and the time was not minute too long for
my requirements. There were unforeseen
difficulties to overcome. Some of the gar
ments and the method of fastening them
were as strange to me as they would have
been to aSavage My hands would not be-
come white like Miss Hopkins, and the
more scrubbed them the redder they
seemed to grow, and when l came to dress
Ing my hair / thought I never should sue
coed in making it presentable. It was SO
rebellious through having had its own way
oil my life that no amount of brushing
would make it lie fat and smooth. How
ever, the brushing made 1t very lustrous,
and contrived at last to fasten 1t up in
loose curls on my head with the tortoise
shell pins Miss Hopkins had advised me to
buy. The choice Of dress gave me less trou-
BILE; that pink silk tea gown was too lovely
TO be set aside.
Ihad only just got the fastenings right
when heard the street door shut and the
sonorous voice of Taras calling to Mere
Lucas below. l lit the lamp that stood on
the table, and with doubt and hope palpi-
s@SAhH Ah my hCbA v AoOACu ia tuC kkdn6. 4
could scarcely believe that the reflection I
saw there was my own. To be sure, was
unused to the luxury OF mirrors, and now
for the first time perhaps looked at myself
with interest; still had seen my face often
enough to believe that all the taunts it
drew from the malicious wits of Ferryboat
Stairs were merfted. But now, as gazed
In the glass, was almost frightened by the
change made In my appearance by a beau
tiful dress, the care had bestowed upon
my hair and still more by the expression Of
eager hope which animated my features. It
seemed to me that was no longer ugly.
but. on the contrary. nicer even th.,n Miss
Hopkins. Would Tsras think 30 also and
like me the better for it, asked myself as
/ ran downstairs.
opened the door with a trembling hand
and went into the living room. 1t was soft
ly lit by half . dozen wax candles. Taras
was reading Hearing my steps, he lifted
his eyes and glanced across the table, then
laying down his book and rising exclaimed,
"Aurap In low tone of astonishment and
stood for q moment regarding me In silent
wonder.
Don't ye like it," asked, taking his ST.
lence for token Of displeasure.
why, that's just what takes my breath
away. never dreamt of such q marvellous
change as this" and then he said some
thing about my bursting out winged from
the chrysalis which did not then under
stand
'Then ye do like it," said 1, Frightening
up under the signs Of approval in his face
and voice
"of course do. It's charming in every
way. Why, you make the room look 10
times brighter"
You won't find anything like this down
shadwell way" said l, turning round that
he might see the long plaits behind But
I amt got my hair right yet"
Then l hope you never may. for it can
not look better"
I'm glad you like my dress anyhow,
cause got a lot more up stairs-none on
'em cheap-and sealskin jacket and gloves
with ever SO many buttons and all man.
ner.r
"Bravop' said he. rubbing bis hands, with
a smile; there's nothing like doing things
thoroughly, Aura"
MY shoes is a caution,"I said, stepping
out into the light and drawing back my
skirts to show the glittering buckles.
1Ns"As w vain wv, SuOulu say.
Walk! feel like as if l could Almost
dance in 'em, I'm that light Just like
dream. where you feels if you could fy
An it don't seem real neither 1t kinder
me to think as l may wake up
presently and find myself on the sacks up
In the corner Of Baxter's wharf"
Turn 1t about. Say that this is the
and Baxter's wharf the dream
10 be forgotten"
tried to realize that. but my heart and |
brain gave way under the strain put upon
hem.
"It's too much for me all at once, ~ said.
with my hysterical emotion
It's more'n I can bear. Don't you say
mother word to me just for minute or |
wo, or I'll make fool Of myself again"
But though he did not speak, and turned |
way. biting my Lip to stop its quivering,
be tears would spring In my eyes and