Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-07-15
FOUND WAITING,

Tiny Clarence sat in her pretty little
parlor as bright tropical bird bal
ances itself on the swaying boughs of
a palm tree, for the carpet was Of
green and the window draperes were
green, and the walls were just tinted
of that delicate sea-green that shines
translucently through the rolling bill
lows of the deep; and she herself, cur
iously carrying out the unity of things,
wore a dress of soft green cashmere,
with silver lilies in her hair.
Her real name was Flora, but people
called her Tiny; it was pet name and
she had ever since she could remem-
ber-perhaps because she was small
and dimpled and fairy-llke, and had a
fashion of nesting down on low otto
mans and little footstools instead of
perching herself on big, stiff chairs
like full-sized mortals.
She was very fair, with a transpar-
ent skin. flushed with pale roses, and
hair like floss-silk, where the bur-
nished shadows came and went in
golden glimmers; while her blue eyes
were full of sweet wistful expression
a human lily of the valley in short.
At least, so Earnest Sargent thought,
as he sat looking at her, with his heart
in his eyes.
"You will not give me the answer,
then, which is to seal my fate?"
mot this morning, Mr.. Sargent"
why not? I have surely the right
to ask the question:"
Il am not altogether certain that I
have made up my mind Mr.. Sargent F"
Earnests eyes frightened
"You will Give me the benefit Ct the
doubt them"
II can't tell you just yet; I don't
know myself Can not Won compre-
bend, Mr., SARGENT" she added, with a
sudden spark of impatience in her soft
eve, that this matter of marriage is,
with us women, something more i'm
portant than the selection of favorite
shade in silks or the color Of the spring
ribbon?"
II stand rebuked," he said, rising
and howing somewhat tremendously.
Tomorrow morning. then am to get
my answer"
Eyes, tomorrow morning, If you
like"
So Earnest Sargent bent his head
over Tiny Clarence's little rcseleaf of
a hand and went his way
"Well, my dear" said Mrs. Clarence,
as Tiny came slowly upstairs, twisting
the green tassels that hung from her
waist. what have you decided?"
81 have decided upon nothing at all,
as yet. mammal"
Don't you like Mr.. SARGENT"
Eyes" answered Tiny, after a mo-
ment or two of grave consideration, ~
suppose do"
"He is very rich, and, your father
says. in a business whose profits are
continually increasing. You will be
wealthy, my child"
"Is wealth the first object in life,
mammal"
mo; hut it is more or less import
ant; and then Mr.. Sargent is very
handsome"
"I know It, mamma"
And then Tiny Clarence went further
still upstairs to the room where
Bridget was sweeping and busting in
frenzy of energy.
Bridget" she said, will you lend
me your black cloth cloak this after
noon, and the black silk bonnet?
want to wear them"
"Is it fun we're making of poor girl,
Miss Tiny? Sure, We wouldn't even
yourself to the likes O them. And
YOU. wild all the fine clothes oneen
would wear!"
"But | am in earnest, Bridget I am
going to see a poor woman who lives
in a tenement house down town, and
would rather dress so as to attract no
particular attention"
Bridget still stared, but she made no
further opposition.
81 can't understand at all, at all, so
can't" she said. shaking her frenzied
head as she carried the aforesaid gar
ments into Tiny's room. Sure, miss,
it's like dressin' the queen OF the fair
les up in a cabbage leaf Your bonny
face is lost entirely in the old bonnet
let alone the cloak covers you from
head to foot. entirely"
Never mind that, Bridget. Now
lend me the veil. There. that will do"
Tiny Clarence felt curiously unlike
the aristocratic little queen OF fashion
that she was az she rode down town in
the extreme corner of Second avenue
car. and alighted a. length at cross
street. wlose narrow purlieus md
swarming rows Of tenement houses on
either side betokened It the residing
place Of the poor.