The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1895-08-16

limited purse, and to prevent 'Pa'
from seeing too plainly the ruin he
had wrought.
The neighbors were very kind, and
often some little delicacy found Its
way to their scanty table-given with
SO much friendly goodwill that sens1-
tive little Mrs. Pendergast was no
more hurt by the attention than the
neighbors were when Helen brought
them punches of MayAowers from the
woods in spring.
But of late Helen's fingers had been
buster than ever. Upon careful re-ex-
animation the sbundle' 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
'srustle delightfully."- under their
wooden gowns.
ssJust the last things in the world
any of US really wanted" Helen ad-
mitted; "but the silk wasn't fit for
another thing, and as it didn't cost us
anything l 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 voluminous
old gray opera cloak and the best of
the we'll worn redingote as ever a
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 GROWING feature of the costume
was beautiful pink silk parasol,
which Cousin Frances would certainly
never have recognized as the ''skele-
ton" of her famous bundle, newly
clad in the pink lining of the opera
cloak, and adorned with the freshest
founces of the chiffon gown.
| ssGirls, how do look?" was Helen's
anxious question, as arrayed 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 finery
seemed hardly in accord with their
Strengthened 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 straining ears
caught more than one fragment of I'M
friendly criticism, which seemed float
ing in the air.
1T does beat ALL" old Mrs. Sharp
whispered to her neighbor, show 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.
ssDid you see how Chan Basset,
kept lookin' at her? He can't afford
to dress wife like that. heard Mis-
Bassett tell him so durin' the collec-
ton"
'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, OF
else they amt SO poor as they've been
maxim out.
can the neighbors sendin' 'em II
cake an' pie at every bakin'!'
Helen's cheeks were like roses a:
they went on their homeward way
and Anne wondered if she, too, ha6
overheard the gossips' whisperings. OF
whether the deeper flush was only the
, reflection from the pink silk parasol
which she held SO brsvely overhead
Margaret was less observing, and wa:
evidently quite unconscious of any un
usual stir going on around them.
1t was the first Sunday in many
months that Chauncey Bassett had mo-
walked home with Helen. He had
been with his mother on the church
steps when they came out, but he hae
only bowed and then had looked away
1t was certainly strange, thought
Helen, but---if he didn't want to come
he needn't! And no one, not ever
Anne, should know she cared!
The weeks rolled around, and sum
mer followed spring. Every Sunday
Helen went to church in her brave at
tire, and walked home afterward will
Anne and Margaret; and Chaunce,
never came.
She never mentioned him; bu
Anne, watching her darling with jeal
Gus eyes, saw how her cheeks grew
paler, and how listless she seemed t.
be as the summer days went on.
One night as Anne lay bordering
upon these things, with Margare
, asleep beside her, she heard stitlet
sob from the cot where Helen lay
That was all but it was not long be
fore Anne had determined what to do
And the next day, on her way hom
from the village, she stopped at Mrs
Bassett's for the first time since tina
spring Sunday when Chauncey ha'
fingered at his mother side.
l Its ever SO long since I've had
, chance to run in" Anne began, will
) friendly apology. "But I've been 81
| busy, teaching right along. 1t wa
l fortunate for us that the Benton
: wanted their children to make ~
all they lost when they ha'
whooping cough last spring. l
it wasn't for that and for two O
5 Margaret's music scholars, who hav
kent richt on. I hardly know what W