The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-08-13
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E HLVIRH'S LOVE STORY.
BY DOROTHY (. NELSON. :
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touched the tops of the grasses that
fringed the roadside, or moved u few
leaves here and there on the ma
pies, but that was all. The sun, beat
ing down on the white picket fence,
seemed to draw dazzling lines out into
the air. The flowers in the narrow gar
den beds on each side of the path were
dull and dropping. The shriE, ceaseless
whirring of the cicadao seemed like the
voice of the heat.
A woman walked down the path; she
was large and stout, and her skirts
brushed the dropping flowers all the
way. She pushed open the door, ard
stood on the threshold moment till
her eyes could become accustomed to
the change from the quiverng bright
hess outside.
For the lands sake, Alvircy!" she
exclaimed, Il sh'd think you might as
well be sewing in a ccllar-all that
black stuff, tool"
Two women We're at the windows sew
ing. A table covered with mass of
alpaca stood in the space between the
windows, andiboth the women had pieces
of the work in their hands. Miss AL
virey was pulling out hastings and roll
ing them into little wad of thread
which she put into her mouth. Her pro-
nunciation was somewhat less distinct
than usual, but her dignity was unim-
paired by such trifles.
Il guess my eyes is good for some
time to come, Mis- Corbin," she an
sN cred, stifIly. "Set down, an I'll have
this ready to try ON. There's a fan on
the stand"
Mrs. Corbin found the fan and piled
it vigorously, her rosy face seeming to
come and go in flashes behind the big
palm-leaf.
"Lor, Alvirey, you needn't be SO
touchy," she said, good-naturedly.
Its powerful warm to-day, and l
amt in any scch a hurry. Lay it by till
it's cooler. Jessie, there, is looliin' as
white as ghost"
The girl at the window cast half
frightened glance at Miss Alvirey.
oh, I'm all right" she said, slowly.
i guess she is" snapped Miss Alvirey,
pulling out the hastings with jerk.
She amt worked hard enough to hurt
fly to-day. Young folks didn't used
to think themselves SO dreadful deli
cate"
"Sho' now," said Mrs. Corbin, COM
fortably, you amt no need to get in
sech stew, Alvirey. l said it was
too hot for both of you; but land, you
never was one to give up"
Miss Alvirey worked harder than ever.
Her whole figure, with it's patient, pa
thetic droop, made one think of the
dropping flowers outside.
Miss Alvirey rose and shook the
threads Off her dress.
Now, Mis- Corbin," she said, briefly.
Mrs. Corbin rose stiffiy, and put on
the black skirt. Miss Alvirey eyed it
critically.
Turn round slowly" she said.
There, no, a little farther to the right!
thought so. You are getting to lean to
the right, Mis- Corbin." .
But Mrs. Corbin's good humor was
untouched.
Mercy sakes, Alvirey!" she said, with
i. loud, CHEEKY laugh, when a body gets
as old as be she's bound to lean some
where. Might as well be to the right as
anywhere else"
Miss Alvira had her mouth full of
pins and was kneeling on the floor,
pinning up the hem.
There" she said, presently, Il guess
that will do. I'll have it done Thurs
day, Mis- Corbin."
Inn. ~ hanna1 MrS Cnr-
bin. I'D sight rather wait than have
you and Jessie work yourself to death
over it this weather. l amt in a mite
of Il hurry"
when / say thing will be done l
calculate to have it DONE" replied Miss
Alvira, severely. Weather don't make
no difference. hope you won't get het
up going home, Mis- Corbin. Take the
fan along if you've u mind to-"
II dunno's I'm so warm as all that"
she said, with an attempt at dignity.
BE sure you don't get that dress bind
ing acrost the shoulders, Alvirey. The
last one was. l always felt as if twas
hitching up somewhere. Good-by, Jes-
sie." and she closed the door with mild
emphasis.
Miss Alvira had scarcely noticed her.
She waited until she was out of hearing,
and then went over to Jessie and took
the work out of her hands.
'Why didn't you tell me you want
feeling well?" she said. You're as
white as a sheet. I'll do this, and you
go lie down. Better stay to supper, and
then you can go home in the cool of the
evening"
Il amt so tired" she said. "and l
must go home at five o'clock"
Must? There amt no must about
it. You've got to stay"
II can't, Miss Alvirey. It's real kind
of you, but l can't" the girl repeated
with kind of helpless obstinacy.
I'D like to know why not"
A faint rose color crept into the pale
cheeks and the long lashes dropped over
the gray eyes.
Il promised George I'd be ready at
five, and he was going to stop for me"
she said, slowly.
Miss Alvira stood and loc0ed at her
a moment in silence, and fierce pain
seemed to beat through her breast. The
girl was so beautiful! She had always
envied her her beauty. and now she had
ii loyer-young and beautiful and had a
lover. To the little, thin, plain dress
maker with only bare, hard girlhood
behind her and onS years of bare, lone
ly life before her, this girl seemed the
embodiment of all that should have