The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-05-16
Marjorie's Mistake.

A very pretty picture Marjorie
Loomis made as she stood upon the top
step OF the vine-wreathed porch draw
ing on her driving gloves, while she
waited for Dan to bring the phaeton
round.
1t was Marjorie's birthday; and the
phaeton had been one of her birthday
gifts, so it was no wonder that her face
was bright with happiness and that her
whole air was one of contentment.
The last year had made great differ
ence in her life, and it added not lit
tie to her happiness to remember what
different prospects were before her
year ago. Then her father had hard
work to make both ends meet, and
Marjorie was studying with the hope
of being able soon to help by teaching.
Their home was a plain one in one of
the city streets which was not all fash
ionable, and there was very little in the
external circumstances of the family to
suggest prosperity. If fairy had
moved her wand everything could not
have been more entirely altered.
M6rjore's father had very lucrative
position offered him as superintendent
VI u ldISC ludb
had necessitated a home in this pretty
country town, and while Mr.. Loomis
was not extravagant in his tastes, nor
inclined to make a lavish display, still
he felt he could provide many COM
forts, and not a few luxuries for the
dear ones, who had been 30 brave and
contented when they had been obliged
to go without things that make life
pleasant. 1t is not every one who can
bear an increase in prosperity without
becoming spoiled by it.; and Marjorie's
mother had noticed regretfully that her
daughter was inclined to hold her head
high, and was sometimes rather naughty
in her manner to those who had not as
nice home, nor as dainty wardrobe
as her own.
In choosing her friends in this new
home she was influenced rather more
by the social position of those whom
she met than she was by their attrac-
tive qualities; and she passed by un-
noticed some of her schoolmates, simply
because they were poor, while she made
much of some others whose greatest at
traction was that they moved in the
| highest social circles.
IL VOC q NOiJ cChodulOu
when she took up the reins and started
off down the street in her new equi-
page. She could not suppress the hope
that some of her friends would see her,
and she glanced about as she drove
along, looking for familiar faces.
"Ah, there comes Mrs. Judge Tan
ner," she said to herself as she saw a
carriage approaching and recognized
the occupant as the lady who took the
lead in all social matters in Asheville,
and of whose notice Marjorie felt very
proud. Mrs. Tanner was deservedly
beloved by all who knew her, and many
another one besides Marjorie would
have been proud of the kind attention
the young girl had received from that
lady. Mrs. Tanner directed her coach
man to stop, and greeting Marjorie
kindly, she said:
" Bessie came home last evening,
and hope you will soon be able to call
upon her. 1 have spoken of you to her,
and am sure you will find each other
congenial, you are interested in SO
many of the same pursuits"
" shall be very glad to call this after
noon," Marjorie answered, flushing
with pleasure. She had heard great
deal about this daughter who had been
away at college, and she hoped that
they would be great friends. Nothing
could be more delightful than to be the
chosen friend of Mrs. Judge Tanners
daughter.
Marjorie had some errands to do at
the dry-goods store, and then she drove
to her dressmaker's to see whether a
dress which she was having made there
was ready for her to try on.
The girl who came to the door asked
her to walk into the parlor and said
Madame would be at liberty in a few
minutes. Very frequently one of Ma
DANES girls would sit in the parlor with
some work, that she might be in attend
ance upon any lady who should need
her. A young girl, in simple gown,
which more experienced eye than
Marjorie's would have known was care.
fully chosen and daintily made, plain
though it might appear, was sitting by
the window, stitching away on square
of delicate linen. Her hat was upon
the table, hidden by some fashion
magazines, and Marjorie not unnatu.
ally took her to be one of Madame's
seamstresses.
She threw herself into a chair with
little exclamation of impotence
Sometimes Madame's five minutes were
long ones, and Marjorie did not fee
like waiting.
The room was warm, and she though
regretfully of the cool breeze tina
played outside.
A large palmleaf fan lay upon thu
young girls lap, and Marjorie wanted ii
1.-THE airs of having to stop and far
herself" she thought scornfully, as thu
girl laid down her work and used the
fan. She'd put it down fast enough
if she heard Madame coming. | wan
it, and am just going TO ask her for it
sol"
Feeling quite convinced that she ha,
perfect right to the fan, as one @
Madame's patrons, while the girl wa
only one of her seamstresses, Marjori
said imperiously:
al will take that fan. 1t is yer
warm in here"
2 A faint shadow of surprise crosse
: the girls face, but she arose and hande
/. it gracefully to Marjorie, without