, 1898-08-17

IN the matter OF furs, AM when at last
she found Il set which she liked it proved
to be too small round the neck.
"We can have it altered in a minute,
ma'am," said the polite salesman.
"')ne of our young women can fix it
while you wait. Miss Carson-here-
send Estelle to mel"
And a light, pretty little figure Gid
ed in, dressed in somewhat shabby
mourning. Major Essex sat by the win
dow, looking absentiy out into the
street, but as the work girl attempted
to remove the fur wrapping from Mrs.
Colonel Changhley's neck u pin at her
wrist caught in the widow S lace collar.
"You awkward, clumsy thingv' al
most screamed Mrs. Colonel Changhley,
and then she checked herself abruptly,
remembering the presence of Major Es-
sex.
~ am very sorry, ma 'am-indeed-
indeed l did not intend it" faltered a
sweet, low voice, which made Essex
start round as if a finger of fire had
smitten his ear.
"Estelle Dayton!'
"Oh, Major Essex, is it you?"
Estelle colored aud then grew pale
the snowy little circlet of fur dropped
from her fingers to the floor.
miss Dayton-if you please!' began
Mr.. Mink of the firm of Mink & Fur
tail. And Estelle, catching up the en-
mine collar, murmured a word or two
of apology and escaped from the room.
$50 you're acquainted with the
young woman!" said Mrs. Colonel
Changhley a little superciliously.
"The young lady's father" said Es-
sex coldly, Twas one of my Oldest
friends and one of the wealthiest citi-
zens of Floridn before this unhappy war
desolated all ranks of life. Mr.. Mink,
will you oblige me with Miss Dayton's
address,"
And Mrs. Changhley wished she had
not insisted IN Major Essex's company
during the fur seeking expedition.
He went, as soon as he had reason to
suppose business hours were over, to the
place named by Mr.. Mink, but his expe-
dition was in vain. Miss Dayton was
not at home.
"Home," what a contrast was this to
the cool veranda and wide halls of Day
toms place. Essex's heart sank within
him as he locked round at the carpet
less floors and rickety stairs of the
third rate boarding house.
Half an hour later he was sitting in
his private parlor at the De L'Orme no.
tel smoking a meditative cigar when the
waiter knocked at the door and ushercd
in u slender figure in black. Essex flung
his cigar into the fire and sprang up
with a glad countenance
"Estelle! l have been to your house
to find you, but without success.
"We worked late tonight she said
quietly, land the late hours and con-
slant confinement are killing me. Major
Essex. l have a favor to ask of you fer
the sake of old times"
He had drawn forward n chair for
her, into which she YEARLY sank.
at is already granted, Ectelle."
II wish to beg of you to use your in
fuence to obtain me the situation Of
companion or seamstress-to-to your
wife,"
"To my wife, Estelle? But 1 am not
married"
The rosy scarlet suffused Estelle Day
toms cheek.
"That lady in the black silk dress
was she not your wife?"
"No, nor likely to be, I hope" Essex
answered, with a slight grinace. but,
Estelle, though l do not happen to be
married, that's no reason why | should
not want a companion and n seamstress.
Dear Estelle, will you come to me and
be my wife,"
but, Major Essex
II know | am 10 years older than
you, but l am not an old man yet, and
1 believe I have loved you longer than !
can remember"
at is not that-oh," sobbed Estelle,
cit is not that! But only | am not good
enough for you, dear friend"
Mrs. Colonel Changhley was highly
scandalized at the whole affair and
positively declined to attend the we'd
ding or visit the bride, but Mrs. Major
Essex somehow has cCntrived to survive
her neglect and has grown fairer than
ever in the sunshine of her husbands
love, and the shadows through which
she has passed only added new bright.
ness to her present ife.-Exchange.