The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1907-12-06
Ear Above Rubies. E"
by MRS. !. [. M'CoNAUGHY.

Bf MKS. l. l.. Nj SONAOOf1.
One rainy day at the seaside may pass
off very we'll, by the way of variety. The
young folks can foil theit gay wraps about
them and gather in knots, to "poetize'
over the foaming white caps and the roar
of old ocean. Their elders can pass the
time as comfortably in chat and gossip.
But, when it comes to three days OF
such weather. with every prospect of a
stormy week, it is rather too much for
either poetry or philosophy, and is some
thing of a tax on good-temper.
The young ladies at the Sea-Gull House
were not in their most 1miable mood, as
they looked forth on the leaden sky,
which as yet hung out no fair-weather
signals.
Where does Emily Raymond keep her
self this dismal morning.? said Pauline
Gray, as she threw herself into an arm
chair by the centre table, and began to
turn listlessly the leaves of book. She
is the only comfort we have had since
this spell of weather set in. If she can't
invent something to amuse US, no one
can
Speak of angels, and they will appear,
said Jessie Auburn. Frightening. Here
you come, smiling in upon US Emily, just
as if this weather were the pleasantestin
the world, and we in such an awful state
of low spirits. Can't you think of some
thing, dear, to cheer US up" And she
twined one arm around Emily's waist
and waltzed away to window-seat.
When she had got rid of her mercurial
friend, Emily said:
Suppose, girls, we try something useful
for once. You may even find it amusing
because Gifts novelty. Let us have a
sewing society, and make up package
Of clothing for The Home of Little Wan
derers,' in the city. Mother and often
visit the place, and take great interest
in the children. So would you, if you
were to see them once
oh, that is capital cried Josie Norton.
We'll, then, we will each contribute a
little money, and invest it in some neat
print; and then we can sit around here
and make it up. am willing to cut out
the work, if you will help sew
Little Belle Dayton was accordingly
instructed to pass around basket, for
contributions. She stood by Emily Is
side, and watched the process of count.
ing over the money with much interest
thinking, silly little creature, how much
nice ream.chocolate it would purchase
Emily went out at once, in spite of the
rain, accompanied by two or three of the
girls, to buy material. They were soon
turning over the goods, in small store
with great delight. Young girls do like
to shop, If it is only shilling calico they
are after, as they were then.
Such bundle as they brought in and
displayed on the table! The rest of the
girls were quite astonished to see that a
little money could buy so much.
How shall we know what size to
make the dresses? said Madge.
Nothing comes aniss there replied
Emily. They have children of assorted
sizes l am sure saw dozen there
about Bellies size. Now, darling you
will let us fit you, l know
Accordingly, Emily took the measure
of her skirt, and cut one out in less time
than it takes to write about it. Here is
something for you, Josie, she said. And
now | will cut out for Madge; then | will
fit pattern over Bells jacket
The girls were soon all busy. Their
faces no longer wore the shadow of dis
content, and their conversation, from
being dull, grew cheerful and merry. To
feel that we are doing good to Others is
one of the surest ways of winning happi-
ness for ourselves.
Several young men, meantime, had
been walking and smoking on the
veranda, occasionally turning an inquir-
ing glance toward the sky. They missed
the girls fitting about by the windows,
and stopped at one window at last, to
see what they could be about.
Seems like a sewing society-doesn't
it, Fred?" said Herbert Lance, as he
took his cigar between his fingers and
drew one of the armchairs before the low
windows.
Haven't seen them so comfortable
this week, said Fred, taking a chair on
the opposite side. They must be pick
ing their friends to pieces, after the man
ner of sewing societies. Whom have you
on the carpet now, Miss Jessie? Neither
Lance nor me, hope.
Don't fatter yourself too much, Mr..
Allen was the saucy reply. Emily,
isn't there some useful thing you could
set these idlers about
They might sew on buttons said
Maud, mischievously, threading her
needle. Only it would be so much
trouble to teach them and to keep their
needles threaded. On the whole, there
would be but little profit in it. They are