Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-06-30

IL
high, old-fashioned, wooden mantel
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 sA 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; Il
am fixing up colonial room. Every
thing in it is to belong to the times be-
fore or just after the revolution. 1
have some chairs that they say used to
belong to the Randolphs, and two
tables that were the Winthrops', and
clock-it stands as high as the ceiling
that belonged originally to cousin
of the Waynes'. Then, have spin
ming wheel, and lot of things in pew
ter and silver-I have those on the
dearest old sideboard They have all
cost lot of money, assure you"-an
air of Importance. on her plump fea-
lures.
NO doubt" grimly ossented Miss
Maria.
YES" went on her visitor, compla-
Gently; but l don't mind that. l
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 l 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"
Il 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 ! change my mind? ?"
asked Miss Maria, bluntly. Her visitor
hesitated and said with little height
ening of color: well, the money would
do you more good. l Should think,
Maria"
Miss Maria drew herself up stif1y.
That's according to your way of think
ing" she said, dryly. II don't know
that have said that was in need of
money"
Now, Maria, you needn't get huffy
about it. suppose if you won't, you
won't" said Mrs. Antrim, rising
with an air of offended dignity, and
rustic of her silk skirts.
That's i'll WON'T" returned Miss
Maria. grimly, rising also. The two
women were strongly contrasted. Mrs.
Antrim, plump, fresh colored, and
brown hair, her rich furs and hand
some gown giving evidence of worldly
prosperity; Miss Maria, thin, worn,
gray, 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, "just let me
know"
Miss Maria made no reply except to
bid here cold "gocdevening."
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 splendor of the brass candlesicks'
Miss Maria regarded them thought
fully, as she rocked slowly back and
forth. She had a feeling of satisfac-
ton in seeing them there. They had not
gone TO adorn Lucinda's fine house,
For a 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 wayered, and Lucinda should
never know it. The latter had spoken
truly; there was not another pair tic
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