The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-08-15


had any trouble ~ that night, among
a rcomful Of guests, none were gayer
than /.
The time passed rapidly until the
night OF Amy's party came. was to
go home the next morning and had my
trunks already packed 1t was nearly
a week since the bills were sent home,
and during that time had received no
letters. Although greatly worried, |
tried to lay aside all care and enjoy
myself thoroughly this last night ofmy
visit. allowed Lisette 10 assist me in
making my toilet. for l was - nervous
/ could hardly arrange my hair
Amy, looking very elegant in the
cream satin she had chosen for herself
came into my room while Li~ette put
the finishing touches To my toilet She
held a small blue box in her hand and,
when | was free from Lisette, she came
over to where / stood and telling me 10
close my eyes, elasped something
around nv neck. When looked into
the mirror / beheld most beautiful
pearl necklace.
"A present from mamma" she eN-
planned, laughing at my surprise.
''But don't stop to say anything about
il now. for she sent word that We were
To come down at once"
felt greatly elated over the admir-
ing glanees cast at my rich costume
and especially over those from the two
young ladies who had ~ severely criti-
cised my white cashmere. The lights,
the music and the fiattery that were
poured into my willing ears made me
fairly giddy. ''I shall b. gay tonight,
come what WILL" l said thinking Of
the bills But l was not prepared for
what did come.
IL was as / was coming from supper
that heard servant say: "Step right
in here, sir, and will call Mis- Gra-
ham," / wondered whether Miss Grl-
ham meant Amy OF me, but | had not
long 20 wait until the servant entered
the room, and, coming directly To me
said There was young gentleman In
the library who wished very much To
see mev Exeusing myself, ! followed
him from the room. When | opened
the library door and stepped in | start
ed hack, pale with fright, for there sat
Richard. What had happened | felt
sure il was something dreadful. Then
1 thought Of those wretched bills.
s'What Is the Natter | cried, for
Richard had started toward NE and
I then stopped
Esther. EstherF' he said, ''then it
I Is true
knew what he meant and swing
I ing my hands a 1 said, ''yes, its true,
Richard, it i true"
''But what did YOU do it for especial
/ IL when YOU knew how hard father i
involved trying to pay off that mort
gage" he asked, reproachfully.
II don't know, Richard, j really
couldn't have known what | was do
ing when bought il. But what did
father and mother say2' / was fairly
Sobbing by this time and Richard, see-
ing how deep my repentance really
was, gently drew me on sofa by hi
side TO wait until l had become calm.
Then he told me how father had
left home one morning bright and ear
IL and not Knowing when he would gel
back left orders with mother that al
the mail should be opened, and if Their
was q letter from man named VII
son, il should be answered a. he would
tell Us. Richard went for the mai
and brought il into the sitting room
where mother sal sewing he picke,
up a book and was reading, when sud
denly mother gave Il slight scream
and coming over to him laid slip o
paper in his hands IL was the bill 10
nv dress. \ note was sent with il TX
planning why the bill had been sent q
father and also requesting that tn
money he sent not later than thre
DAYS. Mother would not believe any
thing but what there was some mis-
take. When father came home the!
showed il to him and he wrote 10 th
merchant that night. The next da,
an answer came that there was no mi
take made, but that the young lad
said il was to be sent To her father an
gave his address. That day Madam
DE DOng's bill came
Richard said father had no word q
blame for me, but he went about th
house looking 80 white and miserable
Don't tell me any more" said
''Oh, Richard, | can never forgive my
self. / can't understand why ] was :
weak as 10 buy the dress" And ther
in answer To his questions, l told hn
how il was bought the dress "Nh
did YOU come to the city ," | askeC
after pause. .''ro see if these peopl
cannot possibly wait for this money, s
father Is not able 10 pay il now, h
answered. / looked al him for fe'
moments and then asked If that Va
the only reason why he came, for
felt sure he was keeping Somethin
from me. He hesitatcd, then said
perhaps had better tell you At one
Can YOU be calm, Esther??"
YES" / said feeling a. though
Ieaden hand was tearing at my hear
s'Tell me anything you choose. l al
prepared for the worst" He took M
hand i'm his ~ he said ''It hurts IA
dear, TO cause YOU this extra pail
You know mother was not very stror
when YOU left, 80 this trouble has u
terIy prostrated her and now she i
low that we tremble for her life
did not cry, my sorrow was too des
for tears. / could only pace up an
r down the room. Richard locke
!, frightened. Don't dear, don't"
, pleaded. But ii was quite while b
e fore / could gain my self control
n "Did you say father could not pa
= this for some time?'' asked at lengtl
'sYes,u he said, ''it may be sever
n weeks before he il able 'Well, this
r must go TO Uuele John and ask hi
n for the money, a know these Peop
. will not wait, y l said decidedly
: As we passed through the long ha
n we could hear the merry voices and
. - ,,-;,l, I. dnU sorf of a main.