Year: 1869

Miss Vernon sat at her window
plunged in deep thought. This need
scarcely be wondered at, for the ques-
ton upon which she was pondering af-
fected her nearly.


She was an heiress, having come in
to possession at her majority of fifty
thousand dollars. She was proposes
sing in her appearance, and this, as was
uatural, added to the report of her
wealth, which, as usual, was consider
ably exaggerated, brought her suitors
in plenty. Among them she made
choice of William Winsor, and in few
weeks they were to be married.


William was engaged in the whole
sale clothing business, and had the
reputation of sharp active man of
business. Hew of good appearance,
and so far as he could be judged was a
good match even for the heiress. Moth
ing to his prejudice had come to the
ears of Miss Vernon, until the day be-
fore. A poor woman had come to the
door in evident poverty, and asked for
relief On being questioned, she said
that she had been employed in making
shirts at twelve cents apiece for whole
sale dealers-that after making dozen
and carrying them to the store, she had
been roughly told that they were spoil
ed, and that nothing would be paid for
her work; but that she might have
some more, if she would agree to make
them better. She added that this was
one of the small ways in which the firm
made money out of poor women; by
pretending that work was unsatisfactor-
lily done, when really no fault could be
found with it.


The sum, small as it was, of which
she had been defrauded, was all impor-
tant to her, as it represented nearly a
weeks work.


'0nly dollar and forty -four cents for
a weeks work ? exclaimed Miss Vernon,
IN dismay.


That's all, said the poor woman.


How, then, do you liver


1T can hardly be called living. It's
Just barely keeping body and soul to-
gether, said the woman.


And who is this extortioner that first
pliers you starvation wages, and then
1efrauds you of them 2 asked Miss Yer
non, Indignantly.


william Winsor.'


4 can hardly believe this. 1 know
.he gentleman


1t is true, and if you willinyestigate
he matter, you will find it to be So


4 will investigate the matter. Here
S five dollars for your present needs.
Come here tomorrow at this time, and
may have some work for you to do


4 will lock into this said Margret
Vernon, resolutely, and if it prove true
he engagement between William Win
or and myself shall be broken. will
lot give myself to such man.


Nancy said Miss Vernon, the next
morning to the chambermaid. Have
you an old dress and shabby cloak and
oonnet that you can lend mep


4 have got some that are so poor
hat am not going to wear them again.
'aid Nancy, surprised at such an in
IuiTyr


will you lend them to meP


'Of course Miss; but what would
he likes of you want of such old
,lothesl'


"a little fun, that is ALL said Miss
Vernon. 4 am going to disguise NY
ielf, and see if l can't deceive some
,ody.'


With this explanation Nancy was
ontent and produced the clothes.
diss Vernon put them on, and in addi-
ion borrowed of another of the SER
ants thick, green veil, somewhat the
worse for wear, and then set out on her
mission. No one, in her disguise would
lave recognized the usually elegantly
lressed heiress Miss Margaret Vernon.


Miss Vernon slipped out of the base
nent door, and took her way to large
tore, on which was inscribed the name
William Winsor in large gilt letters.


She entered, and after a while
Jerk spoke to her in rough voice;


4Well, what do you wantg


i want to get some work, she said,
q low voice. i


We can give you some shirts


Anything