Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-02-14
THE SACRIFICE OF AMY,


"And all the while she may be
dead" said Htlda, with a shrug Of her
shoulders, ''or some common girl who
can't even speak properly. 1 don't
suppose you will need to envy me my
slSter-in-law. But never mind that
now, Amy. Let us settle about the
dresses. Miss Stitchmore will make
them up very cheaply, know, and if
L overlook her, we'll, she can't go far
wrong. Besides, if the silk and trim
mings come to more than we expect,
we needn't be in such a violent hurry
to pay her."
"Oh, no." cried Amy, Mortified, 81
wouldn't make her wait for the world!
She's i'll; she's got a dreadful cough,
and I'm sure she works a lot too hard
as it is. Hilda, I'll give way and run
in to Percytown at once, to buy the
materials, if you'll promise to choose
a very cheap silk, and one that we can
afford"
'Oh, yes, yes, anything!'' cried Hill
Ola, glad to get her own way. and
springing up and rushing to get ready.
Arrived in Percytown, she was
quite satisfied to drag the reluctant
Amy from shop to shop in quest of her
peculiar fancy. When at last she
made her choice, the bill was so for
midable that Amy, as usual, tried to
eQualize matters by taking for herself
a much inferior silk, pretending she
preferred the pattern. She was so
used to similar sacrifices that il did
not even enter her head to feel sorry
or envious.
They were back again at the cot
tage by lunch time, and immediately
after, Hilda was anxious to start off
and consult with Miss Stitchmore.
Il do hope" said Amy, as they
stood on the doorstep Of the dress
makers little house, chat she will be
able to undertake them. There isn't
much time, you know, and she en-
ploys no one to help her."
Cali the BETTER" said Hilda. "thev
won't run the risk Of being spoiled by
an apprentice"
Miss Stitchmore answered the door
herself, and invited them into the lit
tie sitting-room, putting forward the
best chair for Amy and addressing
herself to her too. But Hilda prompt
ly took all explanation upon herself.
Il don't know how l am going to
promise them for the 18th, MISS" said
the poor dressmaker, looking nervous
~ from one young lady to the other.
Il have some work still to finish off,
and my cough is so bad, it hinders me
dreadfully. And the STOPPING makes
it worse
Il am so sorry" began Amy, in
sympathetic voice, but Hilda inter-
rupted.
But you must promise them, Miss
Stitchmore; don't you understand the
ball is on the 17th?"
81 could do one, 1 know" said Miss
Stitchmore, with a sigh, "and per
haps If the other one weren't quite
finished off inside
ooh, that's good enough" said Hill
da eagerly, ''as long as we can put
them on, and they don't fall to pieces
on US, that will do! But it is very
important, you understand. We must
have them"
Very well, Miss. I'll do my best"
consented Miss Stitchmore.
As the two girls walked down the
garden path Hilda remarked, II ex-
pect [ shall have to keep q sharp look
oh
have them"
Amy paused. ''Wait one minute, Hill
da, 1 have forgotten something"
She ran back and tapped softly at
the door There was no answer. She
tapped again, and Miss Stitchmore ap-
peared. Amy thought her eyes looked
wet, as if she had hastily wiped away
tears. and indeed, there was q hand
kerchief in the hand which she put I'D
tremblingly to her throat, while her
thin, work-Worn fingers played ner-
vousIy with a mourning locket set
with pearls, which was tied by a black
ribbon round her neck.
"Oh, I just came to say" began
Amy hurricdly, that if you would
get Miss Hnda's dress done first, it
doesn't matter so much about mine
But it's quite true that hers is very
important. If your cough is bad" she
added, don't worry about mine"
The girl gave a wan smile.
'Thank you, miss, you're very
kind. You're just an angel, always