Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1893-01-03
.'iF5E FERNS new GOWN!

2 E1dIl1N2Eos M w OOlf 4Ns
:. What Another gownls
And the glancs which flashed under
the lbushy, iron gray brows was enough
to make Fern start and pull her hand
kerchief neryously.
g / said that could not go to the
party without ii, ?, she faltered, growing
red and white by turns. eager, hopeful
and despairing as she watched his as
stonished face.
80 Didnft / give you money for gown
last weekl,'
{. Yes. father. but that was street
dress made it myself and saved enough
to get a pretty chip hat and -
Very. .commendable very.
And the architect turned to his
draughting table and once more knit his
brows over his work. evidently forget
tingieyen her presence.
Poor Fern was ready 10 cry, She
turned away IN despair and met the as
surfing smile of the broad, bland, homely
face of Melofia, the oyerworked and nm
derpaid domestic,
Sure, sir, ye can't refuse her, The
child never gets off the patch. Now
give her the money-it won't take much
how much did you say. Miss Feynsie2,'
Not more than S10, because III use
Haven e got IS to spare" came the
brusque retort, as Mr., Hayward drew q
long straight hne in foundation; -, &
Fern turned away once mere. Even
{ Meloria was doomed 60 a rsbuff. and
Meloria was generally considered In
5N1nclDte,f asi5 ~ 15s lsstis1 "a fssr f,-s
I Butnot so; the sturdy yeung Wof1an
advanced to the table and placing her
rough, red hands upon the edge md
leaning forward. said with uaatneus de.
Termination: lass
!" Then. SIR. pay me my bacls saiaFg of
you'll get 40 shirts. There b MOI oae
Moned and there WON'T bendne tiaiyea
pay nae or Her.
And she laughed triutnphantl as tlla
architect drew himself MP preudly hefHre
her, sss,f 81 sfsa Sfi
Leave the room. Miss Inpertiaence,
Fern. If you permit ,,-- II
: !" She IS not to blame that I dan,t 81
my pay = stanch1y replied the Rsr1, With
out moving an inch. q and if 1 leave tho
dear knows when you'll get all those
shirts froned. I've fofSeen trouble fhis
good while and Ijust ironed yoaf clothes
asiyon needed them. That pointing
traeically to the glistening SEARCHED
linen - that is the last ono ye have. =
Fern trembled yisibly. Her father's
expression changed from rage TO aston
ishment. from establishment TO submiss
sion.
3aH How much do / osAs yoag,, he
asked. with an effort &C otfended dignity.
Twenty seven dollars and thirty ave
cents. includin' the starch, and soap I
bought on my own account"
{: impossible. 2 he replied, with q dis.
senting flourish Of q footrnle in ono
hand and q compass in the other.
Wen, I'm ready to hear what ye
says
"oh. Meloriai What shall 1 do If
you got" asked Fern, in an agony Of
suspense. " s6H
Meloria shook one hand behind her 10
assure her young mistress, but the front
of the attack was severe and unrelenting
as ever. ~
Not cint less-sure many another
girl would be chargin' ye wild extra foE
the Thursdays I've staid in an brushed
your clothes for lodge meetin's an Sun
days.
:.And your gown. Fernfs'
tOhl'4Fern was just going to say
"never mind, I" but Meloria interrupted.
Ten dollars, sir
Well, since you are so foolishly ex-
trayagant. I'll give it to you. And as
for you, turning wrathful face to the
servant, you may gather those plans up
and - e
Hoorayi Now, Miss Fernsie, yen
| have the dress and If we don't be the belle
of the ball, Meloriai Gillighan amt the
sense of bat. !" and gathering her duster
and chamois skin under her arm she
waved her hand in triumph and noisily
left the room.
When alone with her father Fern be-
gan to beg his pardon for her cham
pion's behavior. but her father only re-
ceived the over rtures with snih cf con-
& tempt. Most people he could awe with
one of his terrible giRnces. Fern loved
him dearly, but stood in mortal terror Of
his anger and sulIen frowns. Meloria
twas the only individual of those uadeI
him In the social scale who could brave
4 the terrific scowls of disas probation.
4 ssYou uphold that wretched cfeatafl
ia her unbounded impertineace, but slas
Shall leave; she shall leave"
t. GA4 14EAAE4 an feAl ~ HI =
was the staneh any IN every contest. and
Fern often wondered how long her pa
6ence would exist under the unusual
tension of hg fathers nnreasonablene
and dreaded her following her threatt
into execution.
1t was worse than hseleas to argge
with her father. 30 she quietly began tc
sort the papers and roll his plans into
A long cylinders Of the glistening fabric.
L After q time her father donned hi
j scrupulonsly neat brit cid fashioned
oyercoat and nuci, rushed siIk has. and,
with the ppmpous air Of g railroad
PRESIDENT. informed her that he would
not return until evening,
II You may infofnf Miss GIN char that
Il i shall lunch down town, = was his cut
Il ting finale. as he drew on the neat blach
gloves which Fern had riended 20 care
1 fully the night before.
l5s Oh. father 2 she pleaded 2 ! sshaI
feel that you are angry with me- Il YOU
don't :,
Mr.. Hayward funbled IA his yesl
i pocket. not tliat he did NOT know II
exact contents down TO the punched
dime which the conductor On th!