Year: 1877

But Clara prevented the impending
shower skillfully turning the poor la
dy's thoughts to the new cap which
was ready to try on.


Isn't it pretty? Just the soft ef-
feet that is so becoming to your clear,
pale face. Take a good look at it
and tell me whether you will have
pale pink bows or lavender


It's very nice, child ; you always
suit me, you've snch charming taste.
I'll have lavender, for though it's not
so becoming as pink, it is more appro-
pirate to our fallen fortunes, an
swered her mother smiling in spite of
herself, as she studied the effects in
the mirror.


No, let us have pink, for I want
my pretty mother to look her best,
though no one sees her but ms, and
I'm so glad to know that | can make
caps we'll if l cant do nothing else,
said Clara, rumaging in a box for the
desired shade.


No one ever suited me so well, and
if you were not lady, you might
make a fortune as milliner, for you
have the taste Of a French woman,
said Mrs. Barlow, adding as she took
her cap off, don you remember how
offended Madame Pigat was when she
found out that you had altered all her
caps before | wore them, and how she
took some Of your Eints and got all
the credit for them?


Yes, mamma, was all that Clara
answered., and then sat so silently
that it was evident her thoughts were
as busy as her hands. Presently she
said, 4 must 80 down to our blk box
for the ribbon there is none here |
like, and, taking a bunch Of keys, she
slowly went away.


In the large parlor below stood
several trunks and cases belonging to
Mrs. Barlow, and left there for her
convenience. Clara opened several Of
these and rapidly turned over their
contents, as if lc coking for something
besides pale pink rlboon. Whatever
it was, she appeared to find it for
dropping the last lid with decided
bang, she stood a moment looking
around the large drawing with
such Frightening eyes it was evident
they saw some invisible beauty there ;
then a smile broke over her face, and
she ran up stairs to waken her moth
er from bref doze, by crying joy
fully, as she waved curl of gay rib
bon over her head.


I've got it, mamma, I've got it !


Bless the child what have you, a
letter. cried Mrs. Barlow, starting
up.


No; but something better still, q
new way to get living. I'll be a
milliner and you shall have as many
caps as you like. Now don't laugh,
but listen, for It's a splendid idea and
you shall have all the credit Of it, be-
cause you suggested 1t.


I've material enough she contin-
ued, to begin with, for when all else
went, they left us our fnery, you
know, and now we can live on it in
stead of wearing it. Yes, Ill make
caps and sell them, and that will be
both pleasanter than going out teach
ing and leave you here alone.


But how can you sell them 2 asked
her mother, half bewildered by the
eagerness with which the plan was
unfolded.


That's the best Of all. and | only
thought Of it when I was among the
boxes. Why not take the room be.
low and lay out all our fine things
temptingly, instead of selling them
one by one, as if We were ashamed OF
it? AS stool there just now, l saw
it all. Mrs. Smith would be glad to
let the room, and | could take it for
a month, just to try how my plan
works; and if it does 60 we'll, why can
I not make living as well as Mad.
ame?


But, child, what will people say


That I'm an honest girl, and lend
me helping hand, if they are friends
worth having


Clara worked busily for several
days to carry into execution her plan
then she sent some notes to a dozen
friends, modestly informing them that