The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-06-15

with an air of offended dignity, and
rustic of her silk skirts.
That's it won't" returned Miss
Maria. grimly, rising also. The two
women were strongly contrasted. Mrs.
Antrim, plump, fresh coiored, and
brown hair, her rich furs and hand
some gown giving evidence of worldly
prosperity; Miss Maria, thin, worn,
gray, a cotton gown faded and well
mended falling around her in scanty
folds.
Mrs. Antrim stood moment, when
she reached the door, her hand on the
knob. well, if you should change
your mind" she said, with backward
glance at the mantel, lust let me
know"
Miss Maria made no reply except to
bid here cold "gocd-evening."
| She stood at the window, and
watched her departing visitor as she
passed down the path to the gate, and
to her carriage.
The early winter evening was closing
in. Miss Maria drew down the blinds,
stirred the logs that were smoldering
in the cavernous fireplace, and seated
herself in the cane rocker in front of it.
A blaze sprang up suddenly, brighten
ing the homely room, and increasing
the spleudor of the brass candlesticks.
Miss Maria regarded them thought
fully, as she rocked slowly back and
forth. She had feeling of satisfac-
ton in seeing them there. They had not
| gone to adorn Lucinda's fine house.
For moment she had been tempted
Heaven and herself alone knew how
much the $50 offered meant to her
but it was only an instant that
she had wavered, and Lucinda should
never know it. The latter had spoken
truly; there was not another pair to
equal them. Well, Lucinda must have
some disappointments. Life had gone
very smoothly with her.
No; she would not sell those candle
sticks, poor as she was. Her mind
went back to the long-past youth;
to the family gatherings, the merry
makings, and how always the candle
sticks had been one of the important
features. They had been her grand
mothers, who had received them from
her mother, and she had had them in
| the old colonial days.
| The room grew dim as the fame died
| down. Miss Maria arose with sigh,
and went out into the kitchen to pre-
pare her supper.
Meanwhile, at her tea table, Mrs.
count of her call. cts SO provoking.
| Those candlesticks are just lost in her
mean little house. And they would
make that room perfect. I have never
seen any candlesticks to compare with
them. They used to say that old Mrs.
Henshaw's grandmother brought them
over in the Maytiower.
"Well, her grandmother did live in
Plymouth. The family was always
very proud of them. l should think
Maria would be glad to sell them now
that she is so poor. But she always
! was queer"
Il wonder if that nephew of hers is
out of the penitentiary, yet" said Mr..
| Antrim.
"He was sentenced to three years.
| Poor Maria, she has had hard life;
that boy that she had brought up from
baby turned out so badly, and then
losing nearly ali of her property! She
can't have more than a couple of hun
dred dollars year left. 1 don't see
how she lives! wonder how she man
ages!"
Frequently that winter did Miss
Maria wonder about the same thing.
Times were hard, and she found it
difficult to procure the sewing with
which for several years she had eked
out her slender income. Often, as her
glance fell on the candlesticks, did the
temptation to accept Mrs. Antrim's
offer assail her. But she would set
her lips firmly, and think, mo, never
One evening in March she had just
cleared away her supper table and was
resting before her sitting-room fire. 1t
was later than her usual hour for that
meal, for she had been finishing some
sewing, the first she had had in several
| weeks.
A faint and hesitating knock came to
the door. Miss Maria arose and opened
it. It was dark and rainy. She could
see no one.
"Who is there?" she asked, sharply.
A figure moved into the light stream
ing from the door. Miss Maria repeat
ed her question.
"It's me-Aunt Maria," said a husky
voice, and the figure came nearer. Miss
Maria retreated step.
"You, Martin! What do you want?"
she demanded, sternly.
GIVE no place to go. just got out
last week, and I've been tramping ever
SINCE" $50
"And you dare come here?"
"Tm tired out-I'm hungry"
"And you come to me! You have the
assurance to come to mel" Mss
Maria's voice grew harder with each
word that she uttered.