The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-06-16
Miss Maria'S ~
Brass CandlestiCkS.
By EMILY S. WINDSOR.

THEY stood, one on each end of the
high, old-fashioned, wooden mante]
in Miss Maria Henshaw's sitting-room.
They were tall, massive, curiously
wrought, and shining. They gave an
air of dignity to the plain room with
its homespun carpet, and meager furni-
ture. They were its dominant feature.
One could not sit in it and be uncon-
scious of their presence. Miss Maria
counted them her greatest worldly pos
session.
Mrs. Antrim's gaze was longingly
fastened upon them.
"You see, Maria," she was saying; II
am fixing up a colonial room. Every
thing in it is to belong to the times be-
fore or just after the revolution. I
have some chairs that they say used to
belong to the Randolphs, and two
tables that were the Winthrops', and a
clock-it stands as high as the ceiling
that belonged originally to cousin
of the Waynes'. Then, I have a spin
ming wheel, and a lot of things in pew
ter and silver-I have those on the
dearest old sideboard. They have all
cost a lot of money, assure you"-an
air of Importance on her plump fea-
lures.
mo doubt" gr;mly assented Miss
Maria.
YES" went on her visitor, compla-
Gently; "but I don't mind that. I
want my room to be nicer than the one
the Hunts have just had arranged.
They have an armchair that they say
used to be in George Washington's
hall. They are so set up about it.
Now, if I had those candlesticks, ]
could boast as much as they do. They
haven't any candlesticks. I've just set
my heart on them. There's not another
pair equal to them anywhere around
Miss Maria smiled coldly. "You
know I've told you before that would
not sell them"
II know, but thought perhaps
Mrs. Antrim wanted to say: "Now that
you seem so badly off, you might be
glad of the money" but she did not
dare with Miss Maria's severe gaze
bent upon her. So she ended her sen.
tence rather lamely with, perhaps you
would change your mind"
''Why should I change my mind p
asked Miss Maria, bluntly. Her visito,
hesitated and said with little height
ening of color: "Wcll, the money would
do you more good. I should think
Maria.'
Miss Maria drew herself up stifHy
''That's according to your way of think
ing" she said, dryly. II don't know
money"
'Now, Maria, you needn't get huff,
about it. suppose if you won't, yo,
WON'T" said Mrs. Antrim, risin!
with an air of offended dignity, and ;
rustic of her silk skirts.
"That's it WON'T" returned Mis-
Maria, grimly, rising also. The tw,
women were strongly contrasted. Mrs
Antrim, plump, fresh colored, AM
brown hair, her rich furs and hand
some gown giving evidence of world,
prosperity; Miss Maria, thin, worn
gray, cotton gown faded and wei
mended falling around her in scant
folds
Mrs. Antrim stood moment, whe,
she reached the door, her hand on tn
knob. "Well, if you should chang
your mind" she said, with backward
glance at the mantel, lust let m
know"
Miss Maria made no reply except t
bid here cold "gocd-evening."
She stood at the window, an
watched her departing visitor as sh
passed down the path to the gate, an
to her carriage. -. ~. RI s
The early winter evening was closin
in. Miss Maria drew down the blind
stirred the logs that were smolderin
in the cavernous fireplace, and seate
herself in the cane rocker in front Of j
a blaze sprang up suddenly, brighter