The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-03-28

tree tops stirred in the gentle breeze.
and tiower-scents and bird-voices
filled the air. e vas just the morn.
ing to fill ones heart with a pleasant
premonition Of coming good.
II feel as il something nice was 90.
ing to happen!" said Miss Ferry ia
herself, as she looked out into the
beautiful, fresh world. but there
What am l thinking OF It'l be
buttOnholes, or maybe JaneIl want
me to tend Willie through one of his
collie spellsl'
Breakfast over, Miss Ferry sat
down in her little sewing chair and
took up her work but for some req.
son the needle would not go, aud her
thoughts would wander far from the
little garment she was fashioninS.
She was gazing at the swaying elm
tops, and her work had fallen from
her hands, when q rousing rap at the
door started her into the conscious.
ness of the present.
Good land! What's Gomez" sha
exclaimed, springing up, TO find that
1t was only Colonel Heath's coach,nau
| with a bundle.
The work Mrs. Heath promised
me. " thought Miss Ferry, as she laid
the big parcel on the old lounge. az
don't believe I'll open it now; some.
how don't want to see more work to.
day"
In moment, however, she changed
her mind. "Mrs. Heath's real good
to me; maybe it's something she wants
done right up" and she proceeded to
undo tho numerous wrappings.
Seems to me it's done mp mighty
careful for just being sent down here.
What under the sun is it, anyway"
she raid aloud, as she took of the
cover of the long pasteboard box and
unfolded 4 pretty dark blue dress, all
made and finished.
Something Miss Florence wants
altered. [ guess. It's too small for
Mrs. Heath. Here's the directions,
she continued, as IN envelope fell from
the folds Of the skirt.
As she read, her thin face flushed
and she laid the note down with q
gasp. "Ch, I cGn'tl And after all
I've said tc herr she whispered. Then
she read it again.
Dear Miss Ferry-I was IN the city yes.
teTHny ana saw this dress, which made me
think OF you. thought that az YOU were
so busy taking stitches FOL other people
perhaps 1t might be IA little help to hive
something al made up. and think 1t will
nt you. VIII you accept It with my lover
Please done mind my sending Il. dear Miss
Ferry, for you share so much With Others
you must lot others share wish you some
times.
Mamma wishes mo to ask you IL YOU will
come and spend this beautiful day with us.
we are going TO drive in the afternoon to
Fin6 Foiut, anu IL viii Elv0 Us 50 much
pleasure to have you with us. Please como
and wear the now dress. James will call
for you at eleven. Yours very truly,
FLORENCE w. HEATH
"Tho good Lord bless her!" said
Miss Ferry, with littlo sob. cit
seems as ii L couldn't take so much
from any one, but it would be down
right ungrateful not to-" And then
the Joy Of possession entered into her
soul.
She examined the dress with the an
probation OF skilled seamstress.
just sec those silk facings; and it's
finished elegantly. [ never expected
to live to SEQ this day. And after all
my complaining, too! L amt deserv-
ing! But, oh, even Miss Florence
can't know what it means to me TO
have new dressw
Promtly at eleven James. impress.
siVe i'll dark blue livery and shining
buttons, helped the huttering little
woman, in her trim new suit, into tho
soft-cushioned carriage.
I am not going to describe the vel
come Miss Ferry received Mt the
Heaths' nor the long day of delight
sho passed in that beautiful home.
1t is needless to say that the dainty
lunch bore no suggestions of being
warmed over, and that beans and hash
played no part in the elaborate dinner,
like unto none that Miss Ferry had
ever lbefore tasted. 1t was such a
satisfaction to rise from the table with
a feeling of luxurious leisure! Not
even her kind hostess could appreciate
what it meant to the little woman to
leave the dining.room with no thought
Of uuwashed dishes on her mind.
After lunch came the drive. The
roomy victoria rolled over the roads
with delightful ease, and tho sleek
horses, that tossed their heads and
shook their glossy names, bore their
load along at pace that was pleasure
to their well.exercised limbs. They
drove through pleasant wood roads.
and the fragrant breath of the pines
was like balm to Miss Ferry's tired
lungs They drove by the beach
bordered bay, and the sea sparkled and
danced before them.
1t seemed to Miss Ferry that tho
out-oi-doOr world was never 30 bright
and fresh and clear as it was that af-
ternoon. Sho lay back in rapt enjoy.
ment abandoning herself TO the pres
ent, knowing that seams would be less
monotonou5 and buttonnoles not so
much q nightmare when lightened by
tho memories Of that drive.
When the long day was over and
Miss Ferry bado the Hcaths good by.
5ho tried TO make plain n little " her
gratitude.
cts the Grat day Of whole things r
over had, said sine. ''You can't quite
guess what that means to me. who
haven't had anything but pieces and
patches before and thcn she was
driven away, smiling through happy
tears.
"Well" said Florence. standing
ont iu The moonlight and watching the
carriage roll slowly down tho drive.