The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1900-03-15
EIlen's Fault.
By W. z.
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81 wish to look at fans-party fans,
if you please"
Ellen Purple swept into the fancy
store, her gray silk suit rustling softly,
the long, wine coiorel, willow plume
dropping over the brim of her hat, and
her dark, brilliant eyes sparkling with
health, good humor and exercise. She
was pretty brunette, with black eye
Z brows, long lashes and the cream
tinted skin which is like velvet, so
soft, fue-grainel AMI clearly colored.
What contrast to her was the
Fragile girl, standing behind the
counter in her shabby de beige dress
with dyed ribbon bow at her throat
and frill of mended lace encircllng
3 her slender neck. But this world
offers Us contrasts at.erery step.
s.Do you wish white or colored?"
the latter asked.
ssoh, I don't know. Pink, I sup
pose" Ellen Purple answered, after q
second oftwo of consideration on the
momentoas question. tPink is my
color"
The pale shop-girl reached down a
box of daintily-decorated trinkets,
smelling of sandal wool, edged with
tinted swansdown and inlaid with pearl
and ivory-and, as she stood respect
fully awaiting the young customers
decision, a paroxysm of coughing
shook her slender frame.
Miss Keturah Purple, Ellen's mai
den aunt, looks at her with eyes OF
kindly pity.
s.My dear" said she, 'tyou have a
very bad cough"
The girl smiled sadly.
sI have had it this long time" said
sha
You ought to go home and nurse
yourself up, instead of standing he"e
In all these draughts, counse'ed Miss
Purple, who had CHEEKY, dictatorial
way with her, like one in authority.
Yes, / suppose so, said the girl
sBut we are very poor, and my wages
are all my mother and I have to live
upon, and
stOh, auntiel look here, what a
beantyp' cried out Ellen, suddenly.
white, watered satin, covered with
point lace, and the sweetest pearl
sticks. What is the price of this one?"
turning to the shop-girl.
The girl glanced at the label.
Twenty-Five. dollars" answered
she.
EIlen's countenance fell.
ssOh, can never afford that" said
she. twelve is all have to pay. I
must content myself with something
less elegant. Show me other styles
please .
As she spoke she closed the fan so
suddenly that one of the sticks slip
ped out of place and tore Jagged
rent through the exquisite point lace
stretched across ii. Ellen stared
I guiltily, and, glancing around to make
s snre that no one was looking at her,
replaced it in its box.
ssIt was only an accident" she told
herself, aud the shop-girl brought a
new box of fans for her inspection;
sT am not to blame. No one can ex-
pect me to pay for s25 fan destroyed
By accident besides, they should
make these things stronger"
And pushing away the large box
she turned her attention to the new
fans, and finally settled upon pretty
ross-colored article, edged with Span
ish blonde, which came nearer the
sum she had appropriated for her fan.
SWELL" said Aunt Keturah, care
yon suited?"
AZ last, auntie!''
ssThen let's Co." said the old lady,
ssor1 never shall get sn opportunity
to buy my furniture, chintz and un-
bleached muslin. Fans and lace poe
ket handkerchiefs and pink sashes are
all very well, but they're of no use in
q housekeeping point of viewl No use
at all!"
Ellen Purple went to the party in a
dress of rose-colored silk, with an
oserdress Of Swiss muslin, and the
prettiest of sashes, looped srtistically
over it-and she was very happy. All,
indeed, why should she not be? Only
S Is; the petted darling Of an old
bachelor uncle and maiden aunt, with
face That satisfied her girl-heart
every time she looked into the glass,
and sunny, happy temperament that
was worth more than fortune, in
that it learned her to see the bright
side Of human nature and sip the
sweets from hfe's cup, regardless of
its bitter dregs. And, moreover, Guy
Middleton danced three times with
her, and carried of one of the buff
rosebuds from the ball bouquet Uncle
Simeon had presented her, vowing he
would keep it for ever and ever.
ssOf course no one knows what
these promises amount to-" laughed
Ellen, as she told Aunt Keturah, who
was sitting ND in prodigious flannel
g dressing gown and her hair in por-
cnpine state of curl papers, to hear
3 her niece's report Of the ball festivi-
ties, s'bus they are very nice at the
time And he is so agreeable, auntie. -
IS Aunt Keturah smiled and patteil
Ellen's lovely flushed cheek and sent
3 her to bed.
''Get your beauty sleep, my love.
s said she. cit don't hurt tough old
pine knot like me to keep vigil all
night-that's one of the numberless
advantages of being old and tough
bnt it don't agree with peach blossom
complexions and eyes like hazel
Stars
The next morning Aunt Keturah
and Ellen went shopping again, in the
snug little ciaret-colored coupe which
Amt Keturah hired by the month
from neighboring livery stable.
'I need sewing silk" said Aunt
Keturah, ''and you're always want
ing Java canvas or worsted, or some
such fol-de-rols, and the good fresh
air won't do either of US any harm,