The Van Buren press., 1896-01-04
A SPECIAL PROVIDENCE.
by MAUD RITTENHoUsE.


There were odors of turpentine and
hot paint upon the air when Nora thrust
her curly head into Miss Yarwoods
studio.
"Wh-ew!" she cried, "aren't you
burnt up? What is it now?"
ITS pin-trays-six of them! And |
am too warm, but | wanted to dry the
color well; there's so little time"
II wonder you don't die, Miss Alicel
You are cooped up here from daylight
until dark, and even after dark, now
that Christmas orders are coming in.
How late did you work last night2'
"Twelve," said Miss Yarwood, half
apologetically. "But you don't know
how thankful am that | can do those
Dresden designs at night See lere;
aren't these dainty? I'm going to fire
them tonight and Miss Yarwood
Strengthened her stiffened figure and
led the way to tall cabinet filled with
odd bits of china, from among which
she indicated one particular row of
tiny cups and saucers.
"Oh, the dainty darlingsl" cried the
young girl, with positive rapture
allow you do them l can't even imagine.
And will those black dots and scrolls be
gold after the firing?"
Gold as can bel" laughed the other.
"They're an order for Kitty Birch;
present, if you please, for the we'd
f1inu of her 1enrest friend"
what will you get for them?" Nora
asked, suddenly, with the liberty of one
familiar with the business" of the
studio.
Miss Yarwood hesitated a moment,
and a little flame of color shot into the
pallor of her cheek as she replied: six
dollars"
"Apiece!"
mo, no-for all of them."
Nora stared blankly and then fairly
shricked:
"Only six dollars for the whole half
dozen? Why, you have worked for
days on them-what did the plain china
cost?'
FIFTY apiece"
'That's three dollars for the set. And
how much gold have you usedP'
.'Not more than dollars worth, II
that much," came the faint response.
"Then you'll get two dollars for work
ing two days and nights, putting out
your eyes, breaking your devoted back,
running your health, and-and the fir
ing still to do. l forgot to count that
and the gas. Miss Alice, my dear, you
are an IDIOT You make me absolute
Iy furiousl" and Nora stalked to the
other side of the room and tlounced
angrily into seat by the low window.
Listen, dearie." Miss Alice spoke
with little deprecatory gesture. Its
Kitty's very, very dearest friend, and
she did want to give her something
charmingly pretty, and yet six dollars
was every cent she could afford"
"Then why didn't she use up her own
strength and nerves and eyesight in
stead of yours in her investment? She
can manage to wear beautiful clothes
and warm furs and several hats sea
son, while you are going about in a
cloak you've worn for five years-and
even your best dress frayed at the
edges"
"Now, Moral I'm sure my cloak is
still stylish and pretty, and bound the
frayed edges only last week, so the
dress looks as good as new. Tn sure
always look nice"
"'Nice'. You look like an angel!'
and impulsive Nora flung both arms
about the little spinster and kissed her
hot cheek. "When l get to Heaven
shall expect to see all the angels wear
ing darned-over cashmeres and big
gingham aprons that smell of lavender
and tinting-oil. Can't you come out
Just for a minute, for a walk and q
breath of fresh air?"
Miss Yarwood shook her head viii
a mock-woeful grimace. Il must get
the cream jug ready for the firing, ant
all the COLDS to put on that vase yet
To-morrow's Sunday. dear; We'll have
n long walk then. in the afternoon"
Nora sighed and left the room; buf
Miss Yarwood smiled as her fine brusi
trailed delicate lines of gold over tn,
pale blossoms on the ivory-tintee
cream jug.
Mora doesn't realize how fortunat,
I am" she said. 81 never had SO many
orders before at Christmas time"
Meanwhile Nora was freeing hel
mind to Caesar, the huge mastiff, whC
stretched his great legs as he rose from
the door-mat.
"She's killing herself, Caesar. for q
dollar day. Come. sir. you need a run
Wen take the back way to the grocery
and get bag of cool oranges for that
no; little goose. There, now, one, two
-runl' 1t was twilight and the street
was still. "Nobody'H know we are