The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-07-10
HhVIRH's love STORY.
Ely DOROTHY E. NELSON.


7 7 was two o'clock on a hot summer
afternoon. Little languid breezes
touched the tops of the grasses that
frineed the roadside. or moved few
leaves here and there on the ma
pies. but that was all The sun, beat
ing down on the white picket fence.
seemed 10 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 shrill, ceaseless
,vhirrinr of the eicadae seemed like the
voice of the heat
A woman walked down the path she
was large and stout, aud her skirts
brushed the dropping flowers all the
way. She pushed open the door, and
stood on the threshold moment TIL
her ewes could become accustomed 10
the change from the quivering bright
ness outside.
For the lands sake, Aivirey.P she
exclaimed. Il sh'd think you might as
well be sewing in a eeilar-ah that
black staff. tool"
Two women we're at the windows sew
ing. 4 table covered with a mass OF
alpaca stood in the space between the
windows, and both 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 trifies.
Il guess my eyes is good for some
time to come, Mis- Corbin," she an
suered, stifily. set down, an III have
this ready to try on. There's fan on
the stand"
Mrs. Corbin found the fan and piled
Ii vigorously, her rosy face seeming to
come and go in flashes behind the big
palm-leaf.
"Ior, Alsirey, you needn't be so
touchy,. she said, good-naturedly.
"lts powerful warm to-day, and /
ain't in any scch hurry. Lay itby till
it's cooler. Jessie, there, is lookin' as
white as a ghost
The girl at the window cast half
frightened glance at Miss Alyrey.
oh, I'm all right she said, slowly.
II guess she is snapped Miss Altirey,
pulling out the hastings with jerk.
..She amt worked hard enough TO hurt
Il fly to-day. Young folks didn't used
to think themselves 50 dreadful deli
cate
"sho' now" said Mrs. Corbin, COM
fortably, you amt no need to get in
sech stew, Alyirey. / said it was
too hot for both of you; but land. you
never was one to give up
Miss Alyirey worked harder than ever.
Her whole figure, with its patient, pa
ahetic droop, made one think OF the
dropping flowers outside.
Miss Alyirey 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 Alyirey eyed it
critically.
Turn round slowly" she said.
sThere, no, 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 salSes, Alvireyl" she said, with
u loud, CHEEKY laugh, when 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, 81 guess
that will do. I'll have it done Thurs
day, Mis- Corbin."
Nov, don't hurry" begged Mrs. Cor
bin. I'D a sight rather wait than have
you and Jessie work yourself to death
over il this weather. l amt in mite
OF hurry"
"Nhen / say thing win be done |
calculate to have it DONE" replied Miss
Alyira, 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 mind to-"
Il 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, Alyirey. The
last one was. i always felt as If twas
hitching up somewhere. Good-by, Jes-
sic," and she closed the door with mild
emphasis.
Miss Alyira 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 wel?' she said. You're as
white as 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 /
must go home at five o'clock"
Must? There amt no must about
1t. You've got TO stay"
y 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 be was going to stop for me. s.
she said, slowly.
Miss Alyira stood and looked at her
n moment in silence, and n fierce pain
seemed to beat through her breast. The
girl was so beautiful She had always
enyied her her beauty, and now she had
loyer-young and beautiful and had a
lover. TO the little, thin. plain dress
maker with only a bare hard Dirlhoo 2