The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-24
A FIRST DAYS WORK.


carelessly, although it was the one question
that had been in his mind all this first day
Of his return. frolA long East Indian alb.
sence.
"Oh, she married some fellow or Other
and-let me see-I believe she is deatil''
You speak vaguely mother of your OWL
niece?''
"Well, really, you know that Glen Fair
fax's family never seemed like our own,
and Rosita was always full of some within
or other''
Mrs. Fairfax thought to herself how
fortunate it was that Rosita was out OF
her sons way.
"Allan would have been just absurd
enough to renew the old engagements if he
had had the ghost of an opportunity and
now that Helen Farquarson, with all that
property of hers, fancies him such piece
of chivalrous romance would have been
simply absurd
Mrs. Fairfax sailed out of the room and
he was left alone.
'.Marriedr' he muttered. ooh, Rosita,
how could you have SO soon forgotten?''
81 know could do it, mammal"
"But, Rosita, only think of it, cried the
poor little widow, wringing her helpless
hands. "You, Glen Fairfax's daughter,
STOPPING to such mental occupation as
that of a hairdresser, Rositar'
"No, mamma interrupted Rosita,
laughing. "Give it the French grace of
Specification. Say coiffeuse''
And Rosita went out with smile that
seemed to turn her whole bright face to
sunshine. "She is fit to be a princess, -
thought the mother, with longing, lin
gering thrill of tenderness. 49,
Nine Lucille de Prenneror received her
new workwoman very graciously.
VnV1r
said. Ma fol, the orders that I have re-
ceived today If 1 had had 100 hands,
they would all have been busy. Let me
see. What are we to call you?''
my name rs Ro''-
"Oh, true, true, but it was not of that
was thinking. 1 like my girls to adopt
French names. Miss Meenie Dow is called
here Nannette Dupont and you--you are
Marie Pelotte. You do not object? 1t
gives US style, Partisan TOM
81 do not object, said Rosita, smiling
at the oddity of the whim.
NWell, Marie Pelotte, you shall go out
today. 1 have three orders-two dinner
parties and a ball. Here are my plates du
mode. Study them well and reproduce
them on the heads of my patronesses. Do
you think you can meet the emergency?''
Certainly, ma'am.''
"You will find the number of the streets
and the hour of appointment on the card.
You will charge So a head, and look to
you, Marie Pelotte, to sustain the well
known honor of the Prenneror establish
ment.''
Rosita went out at the appointed hour,
her heart beating rather tumultuously,
but nevertheless quite prepared to meet
the onerous duties before her.
The first candidate little bewigged fe-
male, who was scarcely visible through the
paint and powder on her face, was easily
disposed of and was highly gratiffed at the
amount of puffs that Rosita arranged for
her. --..
II like you, Pelotte," said this eccentric
lady. 'sTeIl Prenneror always to send you
to me.''
The second place was a mansion, with
brownstone steps and velvet window dra-
peries, fringed with gold. Mile. Pelotte
was shown into boudoir whose elegance
reminded her of other days by some strange,
hidden link of association. Presently
pert looking girl came to her.
my mistress will see you in her dress
ing ROOM
Rosita followed her into room where a
lady sat in a loose dressing wrapper of
white null, heavy black hair falling down
her back-a lady whose naughty glance
toward her as she beckoned her to approach
filed her with nameless terror.
1t was her aunt, Mrs. John Fairfax.
Evidently, however, she was herself I'M
and, gathering new courage
from this, she glided round to the back of
the chair and commenced her operations,
thanking the planets for Mrs.
Fairfax's nearsightedness.
Mrs. Fairfax languidly opened book
md began to read, while Rosita, with
hands, proceeded to brush and
arrange tho heavy hair of the woman who
turned coldly from them in their hour of
need
Chow slow you areP' exclaimed Mrs.
Fairfax impatiently after she had read
few pages. "You will never be through
Who is that at tho door? Open it!''
But Rosita did not stir and the lady,
that the young Frenchwoman
did not understand English, readily called
out, ''Come imp -.-
The door opened and Allan Fairfax en-
tered, looking rather surprised as he did SO.
"You are busy" said he, land will
not''-
The half completed sentence died away
Oh his tongue as he stood gazing at the
golden haired girl who was behind his
mothers chair
"Rositai'' he exclaimed. '..My Rositap"
Mrs. Fairfax sprang up and applied her
eyeglass to the hard black eyes that had
played her so false.
''What does this mean?'' she cried. But
the girl replied to Allan alone.
''Not your Rosital" she answered with
spirit 81 am one of Nine. Prenneror's
employees dressing your mothers hair. I
do not scorn to earn my bread and that Of
my mother, whom that woman turned from
her doors year ago. Why did you not
speak a word for us then, Mr.. FairfaxF'
IT have been in India two years. But I
wrote to you.''
81 never received your letters"
'sMother,'' said Allan sternly, twill you
give me an explanation of thisf"
But Mrs. Fairfax had sunk into chair,
covering her face with her hands.
f'You told mo that Rosita was married;
hat she was deadp'-New York News.
How to Pronounce Iowa.
Speaker Reed not only pronounces it
a rIrar,rnrrr lint has donn co for sapara1