The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-08-07

number of years.
Anne and Margaret were now the
main support of the family, one
teaching music and the other having
good position IN the village school.
The sslittle Mother aud Helen
were the household angels" and it
was no light task to keep things nice
and comfortable with their extremely
limited purse, and to prevent ''Ps"
from seeing too plainly the ruin be
had wrought.
The neighbors were very kind, and
often some little de]icscy found its
way to their scsnty table-given with
so much friendly goodwill that sensi-
tive little Mrs Pendergast was no
mora hurt by the attention than the
neighbors were when Helen brought
them punches of Msyfowers from the
woods in spring.
But of late Helen's fingers had been
buster than ever. Upon careful re-ex-
animation the bundle had shown
possibilities which had not been ap-
parent at the first. And the old party
dresses, dyed-for Helen had mas
tered the ,dyepot's mysteries long ago
were now transformed into four
pretty silk petticoats which would
''rustle delightfully."-" under their
wooden gowns.
'Just the last things in the world
any of US really wanted" Helen ad
mitted; "but the silk wasn't fit for
another thing, and sit didn't cost us
anything I guess we can afford to be
swell for once -
Then in some magical way her deft
fingers had fashioned for herself as
dainty gown from the volumincus
old gray opera cloak and the best Of
the we'll worn redingote as ever
pretty maiden wore to church on a
bright Sunday in spring.
The battered Paris bonnet bloomed
anew with apple blossoms, freshened
over the kettles reviving steam. But
the crowning feature of the costume
was beautiful pink silk parasol,
which Cousin Frances would certainly
never have recognized as the ''skele-
tom OF her famous bundle, newly
clad in the pink lining of the opera
cloak, and adorned with the freshest
aounces of the chiffon gown.
''Girls, how do [ look?" was Helen 5
anxious question, as arrayea for the
first time in all her glory she was
about to start with them for church
"Just too sweet and lovely Mar
garet said, with enthusiasm; and the
mother, who thought her girls were
always perfect, echoed Margaret's
words.
But Anne was troubled Such fnery
seemed hardly in accord with their
strsightened circumstances, or with
the almost Quakerish simplicity of the
quiet town; but Helen was so happy
that she could not bring herself to
speak her doubts which, after all:
might prove without foundation.
She was keenly alive, however, to
the sensation which Helen's appear
ance caused, and which, all during
the service, divided the attention
of the congregation with the
good minister's. words. And
after the service, Anne's strainiug ears
caught more than one fragment otun-
friendly criticism, which seemed float
ing in the air.
'It does beat ALL" old Mrs. Sharp
whispered to her neighbor, ''how folks
behind-hand in their rent can buy such
fnery!"
ssP'raps Pa Pendergast has some
how made his everlastin' fortune" " was
the audible answer.
stDid You see how Chan Bassett
kept lookin' at her? He can't afford
to dress wife like that. heard Mis-
Bassett tell him so durin the collec-
tion."
"Jest see that pink parasol! Why,
Many couldn't get one, plain dark
blue, for less'n five dollars. An silk
petticoats, too, I know by the rustlin'.
They're up an down extravagant, or
else they amt so poor as they've been
maxim out.
can the neighbors sendin' 'em IN
cake sn' pie at every bakin'H'
Helen's cheeks were like roses as
they went on their homeward way,
snd Anne wondered if she, too, had
overheard the gossips' whisperings, or
whether the deeper flush was only the
reflection from the pink silk parasol,
which she held SO bravely overhead.
Margaret was less observing, and was
evidently quite unconscious Of any un-
usual stir going on around them.
1t was the first Sunday in many
months that Chauncey Bassett had not
walked home with Helen. He had
been with his mother Oh the church
steps when they came out, but he had
only bowed and then had looked away.
It was certainly strange, thought
Helen, but---if he didn't want to come,
he needn't! And no one, not even
Anne, should know she cared!
The weeks rolled around, and sum.
ner followed spring. Every Sunday
Helen went to church in her brave at
tire, and walked home afterward with
Anne and Margaret; and Chauncey
never came.
She never mentioned him; but
Anne, watching her darling with jeal-
Gus eyes, saw how her cheeks grew
paler, and how listless she seemed to