Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-03-28
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CHAPTER L


but she had died long since, after linger
ing for many years, helpless invalid
Their father, also, died when they were
quite children, and so they were Left alone
in the world, TO look after themselves.
with the help OF a small income left them
by their parents; not enough, however,
TO render them independent.
And so, Patience kept house Pansy
was q daily goyerness, and Pearl was a
clerk in the employ Of large firm in
the city.
They led very peaceful life, taken
on the whole, though, with them, as with
all others, it was not all bright; but Pa
thence never wearied of reminding them
that "some days must be dark and
dreary" She was a good girl, such
comfort about the house, with "a sweet,
smiling face, and a large stock OF pa
thence.
Her sisters alternately bullied and
petted her. as they felt disposed: but
they both loved her, as she loved them
fondly
They were handsome girls, but quite
different from each other in both looks
and disposition.
They are sitting around the fire in the
prim little sitting room in the gathering
twilight of an autumn evening, when the
days varied work is over, and each is
relating TO the other her adventures OF
the day.
At these little gatherings, after tea is
partaken of. the conversation is usually
in the hands of the younger girls, Pa
thence sitting, as now, silent and atten-
tive, only throwing in thoughtful re-
,nrtr nd hot, kill
What pretty trio il is, with the fire.
light throwing the corners of the room
into darker contrast and lighting up so
fitfully the youthful faces as they gaze
into the depths of the blazing coal
Patience, with her sweet, pale face
turned towards the fire, one arm resting
on the easychair. the other playing with
Pausy's bright hair; Pansy, who is re-
clining on the footstool at her feet, one
arm in Patience's lap. the other hand
stroking the cat in her own lap. Her
blue eyes look thoughIfLllv into the nre,
and now and then wander 10 the face
above her. Pearl is sitting on the other
side of the hearth in little rocking
chair. with her hands e,asped idly behind
her head-Pearl. the prettiest of the
three
And she is. indeed. beautiful. Her skin
is wonderfully fair and her hair and eyes
wonderfully dark. the beauty OF the lat
ter enhanced by the curling lashes that
fringe them Her forehead is low aud
white. her nose straight as that of Gre
clan statue, her mouth the sweetest of
rosebud mouths.
She was beautiful, and she knew it.
Her mirror reflected her face every morn
ing, and she was constantly reminded of
it in other less pleasant ways than that,
by the thousand and one petty annoy
ances she had to suffer from the small
lealousies OF the girls with whom she
was thrown into contact.
Pearl had serene war Of turning them
off, or entirety ignoring her tori ,entors,
that baffled them completely. but did not
prevent them from giving vent to their
malice in some way or other. And, al
though she never betrayed any resent
ment to them, it told sometimes on her
temper, and then her sisters suffered for
it III the evening.
Today seemed to have been particu-
larly trying for they found her hard to
please Snc complained bitterly Of the
hard lines of their lives, and the obliga-
ton to turn out i'll all weathers, and at
all seasons. TO earn their daily bread.
81 wish She exclaimed, with sudden
energy, 81 wish that / was u great artist,
or a great singer, or that ! had a special
talent for acting. Upon my word, Pa
thence, | would go on the stage if only
l got the chance. and there was a ghost
of a hope of Distinguishing myself"
"Hushl" answered Patience, in a
shocked tone What would mother say
if she could hear you, dear? 1t would
break her heart We must try and bear
these small annoyaIces, and find consO-
lation in each other when we get to-
gether. You know you don't mean this;
you viii feel differently tomorrow"
Il can't help it." replied Pearl. pas
sionately. II am tired-dead tired of
everything. Why was / made pretty, if
it is all to be wasted in that wretched
hole of an office? What is the use Of
having beauty if it is never to be seen
and appreciated? It's no use trying to
conceal the facts of the case: the girls
all hate me because I am better looking
than they-just as if / can help it!
wish, if l am to stay there all my mis-
cradle life, that / had been born ugly
plain, anything rather than what | am !"
OH" interposed Pansy, with a slight
touch of sarcasm in her voice. If you
let them see that you know You are pref
", ana that they are jealous, no NOhdel
you have to suffer for it. You should
hide your vanity, my fair sister. till YOU
are safely home. with only your humble
admirers here at your feet to listen to
your remarks on that interesting point.
AS for you" retorted Pearl, you are
as bad as the worst Of them, Pansy. If
IT were not for Patience, / don't know
what | should do 1t is really too cruel
to have ones own sister turn round and
accuse me of vanity" she concluded, sud
denly bursting into tears. Il WON'T
can't bear it much longer. 1t viii drive
me mad. I'll 60 on the stage, indeed ]
will. ! am certain was never made for
an old smutty, grimy office"
She paused, and hopping her eyes
looked reproacbfully at her handkerchief
as If that innocent piece of cambria were
responsible for all her troubles.
Come, Pearll don't be so cross. You
know-or would know, if you were not
determined to take ofFense, that ] was
on.T laughing at you. Don't be absurd
al e't it, said Pansy, soothingly.