The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-01-15
A LEAP YEAR STORY.

4 LEAP YEAR STORY.
1t was very small house in the
heart of crowded city, and yet, small
as il was, three families made home
there. The first floor, and the one that
brought the most rent, was occupied 10y
James Saunders, retired sea captain,
who was supposed to possess gold
mine, at the very least, and who had
undoubtedly ''feathered his nest' well
in many years Of prosperous voyaging.
The basement floor was distinguished
by sign over the door, and a shop
window, wherein were displayed the
wares of a grocer-Geo. Davis-on Il
very small scale grocer who bought
10y the basket and box, and sold by the
half peek and pound.
Upstairs-there was only one story
above the first iioor-Nanette lived
with her mother, Madame Hillien.
-Nailcitt ilsti cSSti icii val iAi -hiiNi A'I
and was employed 10y milliner, who
made good Use of Nanette's nationality
when her customers suspected her of
being anything but French milliner.
Madame Hillien was yellow and wrink-
led aud wore an old sacque of dingy
coicrs over black silk petticoat, and a
cap OF elaborate construction over very
rough, gray hair. Nanette was clear
brunette with eyes black As sloes and
soft As velvet, cheeks like the heart of
a crimson rose, teeth like pearls, and
the triggest little figure ever balanced
on two pretty feet. With scant means
and her French tastes Nanette was
always well dressed. Her print gown
fitted her 20 nicely, her hair, glossy
and abundant, was always arranged
becomingly, and there was never any
thing tumbled or soiled to mar Nanette's :
toilette.
Two men, at least, adored Nanette !:
George Davis in heart-sick silence;
Captain Saunders with the audacity Of
wealth and position.
Captain Saunders sent always to
Madame Hillien such preserves and
fruits as opened wide the eyes of the
favored few invited to partake of them.
He had always a friend in port, just
arrived from Italy, from Cuba, from
Liverpool, from China, from any point
where the long arm of commerce pushes
her vessels; and these friends would
always have foreign dainties TO tempt
the gold from the purse of the generous
captain. 1t was whispered that fabrics
only suited for feminine wear, jewels,
fans, trinkets also came to the captains
room, but of these he said nothing.
Boxes of oranges, jars of ginger, boxes
of macaroni, tempting morsels from all
lands were carried up the flight of
stairs to Madame Hillien, but of India
muslins, Canton crepes, Pon's silks,
rings and bracelets the captain said
never a word.
Still the face of George Davis grew
longer and paler day by day, a the
sight of his rivals p prosperity was fore
ed upon him. II was true Nanette
Loyalty purchased every pound of tea
and peck of potatoes at the grocery in
the basement and presented her cash
with the smile of an angel. True, too,
that she never passed the grocer with
out smile and sometimes a little
blush.
For the grocer was only three and
twenty, with a blonde beard and eyes
as blue as patch summer sky, while
the captain was nearly sixty, with
griZzled red hair, a skin like mahogany
and eyes of no special tint, unless it
was sea-green. But the captain had
long bank account that could WOO gal
lantly and loudly, while the grocer only
spoke with his eyes, and wondered
vaguely how long two could live upon
profits that Were half starvation for
one.
She is SO pretty the young fellow
thought, with a sigh no wonder she
likes to ride with the captain in the
park, while am tied to the counter
and cannot even afford To hire boy to
roll in the barrels. could not send a
basket home if a customer asked it.
But fortunately the customers were
of that class that never trust market
basket out of their own hands. Still,
as they were very exacting as to the.
largest measure for the lowest prices,
that balanced the matter.
1t was not very flourishing grocery
store, for the goods were ofthe cheapest
description, and the profits were very
small and often when the stock had to
be replenished, George Davis wore
patched shoes and the shabbiest of
clothes.
1t would delight my heart, Nanette
said once to her mother, if could once
get my two hands in the linen closet of
Monsieur Davis and repair his collars
and cuff. They are frayed. Oh =
with uplifted hands-how shabby
they are
You had better look at something
else than the cuffs of Monsieur Davis,
said Madame Hillien, severely. In my
country maidens do not look at young
men.
But mamma, when / must look at
him every day how can but see him ?
Do not buy of him sugar and tea and
all that we have to eat
If you were wise you would not be
compelled to buy food in a little store
like that. Listen, Monsieur the cap
tain has told me that if he marries he
will buy the whole house!
Bat we are comfortable in three
rooms.
Bah We live! But comfortable =?
You have no sense, Nanette, Twice
already has the captain spoken to me.