The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-01-03

lence of the assembled working
women. Mrs. Jarvis smiled and
shrugged her shoulders.
"All this is mere rant said she.
Maidstone, bring that last inventory
into my Office"
But the next day, when on reach
ing the building, as usual, the 20
sewing machine girls found that it
had been burned to the ground during
the night. they instinctively thought
of the widows curse.
1t was the janitor's fault. He had
gone into the stockroom with
lighted candle, and. started by the
springing of a cat, had let it fall too
near a basket Of waste paper and an
instantaneous coniagration had been
the result. And, what was worse, the
insurance had run out on the evening
of the previous day, and Mrs. Jarvis
was a ruined woman!
Yet she was not easily discouraged.
She tried again, and rallied her forces
with true muscular energy, but it was
all in vain. There is tide of fortune
in the affairs of everyone-and hers
was on the ebb.
Ten years afterward poor, shabby
old woman, bent and bowed and
dressed in a rusty black, was shown
into the silk-hung reception-room of
the wife of one of our New York's
wealthiest merchant princes. Mrs.
Tressilian came in, wondering. She
was a fair, pretty young creature of
about 20, Mr.. Tressilian's second
wife and idolized darling.
You sent in no name" said she. as
she beckoned the Old woman to seat
near the ruby-shining crate. And l
do not think | know your face. What
is your business with me?'
Il am very poor, madam" pleaded
the old woman. Il sent in no name
because l am an utter stranger to
you. My only claim is my wretched-
ness and poverty l have heard that
you are good and generous-that OF
your allowance YOU give to those who
are less favored by Providence"
Mrs. Tressilian. deeply touched by
the haggard pallor of the bent old
woman and the tremulous falntness Of
her tones, had taken out her purse and
was unclasping it, when light touch
fell on her arm.
stop a moment, my daughter" said
a soft, low voice, and, turning, Mrs.
Tressilian saw at her side lady with
hair white and lustrous as silver and
a superb diamond cross glistening in
the lace at her breast, while her black
velvet dress trailed noiselessly over
the crimson pile of the Administer car
pet. Il believe know this person. If
l am not mistaken it is Mrs. Jarvis"
MY name is Jarvis" said the old
woman, looking rather surprised.
Yes" said the other. quietly. Il see
you have forgotten me. / am the Mrs.
Pennant who. years ago, was turned
from your employment because, tied
down to sick child, she could not be
quite punctual to your orders. This
laying her hand on Mrs. Tressilian's
shoulder, lis the very child-my little
Jessie-who lay so i'll at that time.
God has prospered us since then. But
you"
81 am a beggar," burst out poor
Mrs. Jarvis. shrinking back from the
others stern, questioning eye. "Heav-
en- help me- | have nowhere to lay
my head"
And you come here to beg Of US,
forgetful of how pitiless you once were
to me-" uttered Mrs. Pennant. sternly.
"Oh. forgive me! Re merciful and
forgive me-" faltered Mrs. Jarvis,
kneeling at the others feet.
Il vowed that day, within myself,
that | would be avenged said Mrs.
PenRant slowly.
Mamma" pleaded the young wife,
"lcok at her. Sick, old and poor. God
has taken the bolt Of vengeance into
His own hand. All that remains to us
is to be mericful"
MY love. you are right" said Mrs.
Pennant. Rise, my poor woman. You
shall be fed, sheltered and aided with
money. For the present go to the
housekeeper's ROOM
And Mrs. Jarvis crept away, with
choking sob in her throat.
The great circle of fate had accom-
plished its revolution. and the widow
was indeed avenged-avenged all the
more completely in that she had
learned the lessen of forgiveness -
New York News.