The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1894-08-14

ladies were alone with him; "but l
thought it best to come and see you
before putting our account IN the hands
of lawyer. AS you are aware, 1t IS a
disagreeable thing to do-and expen-
sive, besides. But regard for our own
interests, madan--
"Of course" said Mrs. Lester,
family. .,
eff any arrangement could be made,
suggested Mr.. Skinner. THE amount,
with interest, is trihe over twenty-five
hundred dollars. I don't think you can
say we have been hard on you"
"No,": ":assented Mrs. Lester.
Milhcent came forward.
"Mr. Skinner, your account shall be
paid. The furniture and pictures ID this
house are worth much more than that.
7 think We will decide to sell them and
move into smaller house. DO nothing
for a week or two, and you will hear
from u.s.
Mr.. Skinner picked up his hat and
withdrew, saying to himself:
"What duced fine girl that young
est one isn'
Mrs. Lester and Estelle remained
paralyzed with astonishment as the
heavy door closed with bang after
Mr.. Skinner. Then Mrs. Lester spoke:
"You are subject to strange changes,
Millicent. But half an hour ago you
said you could not give up the house
and live as you now propose to do"
eyes," said Millicent, with a kind of
sad defiance, 'sT 2ald so; but what's the
use when a man comes to you and talks
about putting a great bill like that in
the hands of lawyer? Won't all the
others, big and little, be down on US?
am no more of heroine than was
before, but I can see when necessity
compels. I see now that we have
reached the end of our rope. We have
lust to face the world in small house
in a back street, and l shall try to do it
as bravely as can, but I expect to be
miserable and never expect to see
Harry Blogden again.
1t was the early part Of November.
It did not take long to make their
arrangements.
The sale was advertised to take place
in two weeks.
Millicent and Estelle- even Estelle
came out of her shell of selhshness-
arranged the lovely home to look its
loveliest.
Then Millicent found tiny house
with little garden to it, and went to
work with a will to make it ha5itable
and even comfortable. She actually
succeeded in making it look inviting.
Strange to say, she did not find her
self as miserable as she expected dur
ing the transition period. Everybody
did not forget them, but Harry Blogden
did not come near them.
Perhaps what help to sustain Milly's
spirits was that, with the great foot
man dismissed, and the lady's maid
and all the other superfuous servants,
she had enough to eat; and she used
to laugh at herself for her gluttony as
she munched good, wholesome piece
of beef with her little, sharp, white
teeth.
1t was the day before Thanksgiving
that they got into their new home.
They had CHEEKY little sitting-room,
with a soft-coal fire.
Some few things had been saved
from the wreck. The furniture, and
especially the pictures and bronzes,
had sold we'll; and after the first shock
was over, Mrs. Lester and Estelle had
experienced some of the relief that
had helped Milly to bear the change.
The bills had all been paid in full,
the servants discharged, and only one
maid-of-all work was engaged to do the
work of their small establishment.
Thanksgiving Day dawned cold and
bright. MilIy and Estelle walked to
church with their mother. That was
one of the perilous moments they had
looked forward to. 1t was the first
time they would meet all of their &C
quaintances after the crash. But like
everything else, eassed off better than
they expected.
Nlillicent's heart was in her mouth
and her cheeks flushed and paled pain
fully. Right behind them sat Mr..
Blodgen. Milly felt his presence all
during the service. She would have
liked to have got up and rushed out of
church as soon as the benediction was
pronounced, but she could not. She
was proud creature, and she meant to
walk calmly and sedately out, with her
head we'll poised in the ar.
She did 1t pretty we'll. Millicent had
certain histrionic talents, and just as
she reached the sidewalk a gentleman
joined her.
Millicent did not look up. She knew
the step.
II have have been out Of town for
week or two and only got back last
night. May I walk home with you.
"Certain!y," said Milly, coolly.
Her mother and Estelle were little
in front ofthem.
Il hope you have been WE'LL" said
Mr.. Biogden.
"Oh, yes" said Milly bravely. "Of
course it has been trying time to US
the moving and everything but
now we are comfortably settled and will
eat our Thanksgiving dinner in our new
home"
Mr.. Blogden looked excessively
puzzled.
Your new home?'
YES" said .Milly. "Haven't you
heard? We found we couldn't afford to
live in our old house, so we gave up
the lease, sold nearly everything, and
have gone to little house on Pine
Street ~