The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-03-21

pers, but most Of them sat apart and
alone in silence; two or three, laid full
length upon their backs on the sofas.
seemed contented simply TO be at rest
these were the cashiers of shops who
have to stand all day: others sat back
in their chairs leaning their heads upon
their clasped hands-an attitude which
betokens complete physical exhaustion.
Nobody was reading, nobody was
laughing, nobody was singing. The
general depression was not due at all
to the regulations of the home; it had
nothing to do with the committee; the
girls were not in the least longing to be
out after $50, nor were they pining for
the society of young men. They were
simply tired.
1t was about a quarter to 8 when the
door opened and another girl came in.
She was a tall and beautiful girl-you
have already seen herewith light curly
hair and gray eyes and a face full OF
sweetness; made for love-if that
means anything, because nearly every
girls face shows the same benevolent
intention of nature. Now, alas! her
face was full of trouble. The other
girls faces showed the depression
which comes Of fatigue and monotonous
work. but there was trouble of another
kind OH Katharine's face. When she
appeared, one or two Of them looked at
her in%quiringly, and read the answer to
their question in her eyes.
She sat down beside another girl.
Evidently they were friends, these two.
as there news?" she whispered.
Katharine shook her head.
Lily, the other girl, pressed her hand
in silent sympathy. She was a dark
haired, swarthy, low-browed girl, with
deep-set eyes, black eyebrows which
met, and Spanish features, though her
name was Lily, and she ought to have
been fair and dressed in white. Lily
would have looked we'll in a mantilla
| and in black velvet and a diamond
coronet. She was born for black vel
vet. yet by one of natures mistakes
she had to wear black stuff.
There never will be any news, Lily.
Don't speak to me just yet, dear"
At this moment the two old ladies
by the fire rose from their chairs, and
the elder, generally known as MISS
Augusta, went to the piano anu pc'
a to play. She always. played every
evening, because she thought that mu'
| sic is good for the soul and for the tent
per and for the tired limbs, and the
| irritated brain. But the music u
be good. and therefore she played
| Mendelsohn's Songs Without Words"
which 20 straight to the heart in a
way hardly achieved by any other
music. She played in a quiet, old
| fashioned way. with the emphasis
which belonged to the timeNit was a
sentimental time-when she was
young.
The other old lady, her sister, Miss
Beatrice, began to walk about the
room and talk to the residents. 1t was
her opinion that young persons can be
greatly helped by sympathy and kind
ness, and that, being an old person
herself. she might perhaps administer
words of comfort and peace while her
sister was moving their hearts by the
mower of music. And, indeed, there
were times when the atmosphere was
heavy with dependency.
First, she sat down beside the woman
who was so fercely working.
MY DEAR" she said, you have been
working at you business all day. Your
cheeks are flushed and your hand is
burning. Cannot you put away your
work for a single evening"
Mono. I must work. 1 must work.
The others may rest, but 1 must work.
1 must work."
why must work, dear? You are
so much better off than the rest OF us.
You have such Il handsome salary.
Why must you work."
1t was known that this person had a
salary of three pounds a week-actu-
ally three pounds! AS much as is
given 10 q CuTdle, anu yet tHeiS wa"
no evening except Sunday when she
did not work fiercely. until the last
moment before the gas was turned
out.
You are a Christian?" the worker
asked, in reply.
Surely" said Miss Beatrice. oh,
my dear, that is a strange question.
What other comfort is there for a
DOOR woman, and what other hope!'
For those who are His. He is cru
cited. Those who are not His-must
be crucifed by themselves
1t was n strange answer to be MADE
in a respectable home where the
fercer emotions, including despair, are
supposed not to enter. They are ex-
cluded-with the young men.
my dear; my dear'-he poor lady
trembled at the mere strength of the
words-'you terrify me. 1 do not un-
derstand what you mean
CTo be c%ontinued.)