The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-10
CLARE's HOLIDAY.
BY EDITH M. BLANCHARD. tcopyright,, hso4, by Daily Story Puo' NnA

NOoPsN -oe'-'N -7T Outside. the snow lay thick ana white. Inside, young girl stareo nut ,,pon if witr unseeing eyes. Some fipe face that she was making had slip ned unheeded to her lap, and she oio not notice the tiny blasts of coio tna' swept in through the cracks near the window, sometimes with such force that they stirred the locks or ner ITCH brown hair. ..,.x, ,hen suddenly. a sleigh dashed rapidly bv. leaving a confused picture Of spien- did horses. flashing harness. fur ropes ana tinkiing bells. She drew pack ouickly: but not before the man m the sleish had seen her and hfted ms can. With a tinge of color In hef checks she picked up the lace and De- ran to work rapidly, just as the door was thrown open.
 "Weil. Clare, working as hard as ever. I seer' was the visitors cSeet- ing, She was very fashionaply oress- ed. Even her voice had the latest fasn' ionable drawh Clare thought inVoi- untarily of q fashion plate as sne heiped remove the costly furs ana ex- pensive hat.
 'T pasaed the senator as l came in" she remarked, with a sharp, in- ouisitive glance. seating herself on inc wide window seat, where sn could see everything inside or out side the room. A trifle more coior came to Clare's cheeks.
 eyes. I saw him drive by" she an- svered. Then there was silence. The visitor drummed on the window pane. A
 "Well." she finally inquired, haven't you anything to tell me Isn't 1t settled yet? Haven't you seen the folly of sticking here, when you might have more money than you could spend"
 "And A disreputable old man thrown in :" flashed Glare. Now, let's not go all over the old ground again. we have done 1t so often before. you know. with no good results. have aa much right to my opinion as you have to yours. You made your own choice. and took wealth and position and the man. But why bother about me? You have everything you want" among them a sister who disgraces mel
 Glare looked up proudly. You VIII anoloRize for that word, or you and l
  calmly. Mrs. Singleton saw the dan- ger signal in her eyes.
 "oh. I will, of course" she ex- claimed. "But l really do not know what word to use in its place. You are the one thing that keeps me back. socially: every once in a while people mention my 'seamstress sister, Ever aimee Lady Herford heard 1t she has taken pains to inquire for you every time we meet. I was not invited to her last dinner. either. and l am sure 1t was on account of you' sne Iin- ished, in an aggrteved tone.
 half mockingly. T am not a seam streaa But don't you think they wo,,ld better call me one than to say I sold myself for goldT
 Mrs. singleton shrugged her shoui-
 If you are going to get personal. I think I'll Ro," she said, rising. "But Clare. if you won't say yes to the senator, please. oh, please leave all thIs and live with me. Perhaps soci- ety will take you back after while"
 A peculiar smile fitted across Clare's face.
 uuired. Mrs. singleton pondered.
 "Yes. I do," she finally said. HOf cotirse 1t will mean a lot of hard work: they won't forget for long while. But think 1t might be man
 Then Clare laughed outright. and laughed again at Mrs, singieton's sur prise. 'It is now six months since father died and came here to earn my own living by painting and making lece. Yes. I know I refused to share your hame, and insisted on coming to this iunfashionable street. And this, you say, has cost me my position in soci" etyT wilI you open that top drawer of the desk? See what is there"
 why, it is full of letters-invita- tionsv' exclaimed Mrs. Singleton, do- ing as she was requested. What! Do you mean to say you've been receiving them all the timer"
 several every day." carelessly And you never told me! You al- ways were the oldest person l ever saw. and-what's this? The Hon George Verner's dinner and Louis Beresfords. she exclaimed, envious- Iy Lady Herford's, too"' she almost screamed And you refused invita-. tions that half the town would have given anything to get! Are yos lcraxy2'
 "No, not quite" laughed Clare sBut I think I shall be if you do no l 70 soon. Julia. You get me all mud