Year: 1870

find, and then, after trying the thinble
on each of my fingers in succession, and
finally crowding it down on tho only one
which it could be persuaded to remain on
(that being the last finger on my left
hand), I held the button firmly on its
proper place, and began to sew.


l will drop veil of oblivion over the
next fifteen minutes. Let it suffice to say,
that at the end of that time had broken
the points off of half dozen needles, split
four buttons, and met with difficulties
enough to have discouraged any but the
hardest and most determined of mankind
was, however, nearly desperate by
this time, and looking fiercely at the clock
on the mantel, whose slender hands point
ed mockingly at five minutes to eleven,
held the fifth button on its proper place,
now stained with drops of blood from my
lacerated fingers, and repeating grimly
the time-honored motto relating to per-
severance, began once more to sew.


At this stage of affairs l was aroused
from my labors by giggle, a veritablc,
school-grlish gigy|c, from the direction of
the door.


Now, if there is anything hateful to me
on earth-if there is anything which ex-
asperates me beyond measure-it's gig
gle and as l had often told Mollie so, |
considered that she was doing it on pur-
pose to aggravate me, and determined to
treat it accordingly.


In my excited state of mind, 1 lost all
sight of my own treacherous and under
handed proceedings, and, man-like, was
only too glad to find some one whom l
could blame for my broken engagement
and smarting fingers, therefore, without
turning my head, deigning to cast glance
at her, l commenced in dignifed way,
which sat badly on my coatless shoul-
ders-"I declare, Mollie, this is pretty
state of things No one up in the house
but the servants, and the bell has been
rung already three times. l guess that
the next time [ take you to party, you'll
know it, any way"


How much longer I should have con-
tiuncd in the same strain l cannot tell,
for the insulting giggle turned suddenly to
a ringing laugh, which l knew never be-
longod to Mollie, and wheeling around
wrathfully on the music stool, | confront
cd the intruder.


To say that l was humiliated, would
express only slightly the feelings with
which l looked at the plump little figure
of Primrose barley, in bright-colored
morning dress, her brown eyes dancing
with merriment, her red lips smiling in
spite of her efforts to look grave, and the
dark hair bristling with crimping pins.


" l didn't know that you were here,
Mr.. Elliot, indeed 1 didn't" she depre-
Gated, beginning to retreat as she saw the
expression on my countenance.


In order to explain this young ladys
appearance at that unreasonable hour, it
will be necessary to say that Primrose
barley was my Sister Mollie's best friend,
and the two girls were in the habit, al
though they lived not a dozen squares
distant from each other, of visiting back
and forth to an alarming extent.


For the past week Primrose had been
visiting Mollie, for the purpose of mutual
assistance in planning their toilets for the
party, and as they had been for nearly
all the time locked into Mollie's room,
surrounded by, and oblivious to anything
but muslins and laces, had seen little or
nothing of either of them.


Now l am not going to say that I was
{" in love" with Primrose barley, but as
she was Jacks sister, and Mollie's best
friend, was in manner obliged to agree
with my sister, when she declared rap
turously, as she often did, that Primrose
was i" the dearest girl in the world" and
although will not say that I was sin
love" with her, wiU say that l would
rather have been caught in that plight by
any one else in the world.


Their was no way, however, but to put
a brave face on it, and acknowledge my
failure and helplessncss, therefore, seeing
that the little mink was going to leave me
to my fate, / stretched forth my hand,
displaying my crumpled and parti-colored
wristband, and said solemnly-" Prim-
rose barley, do you know how to sew a
button on"


She was demure enough by this time,
only roguish twinkle in her eyes be-
trayed how hard it was to keep her amuse-
ment from sight, and closing the door she
came across the room, and looked down
on me like pitying angel-"I sew all
jacks buttons on" she said, taking in at
glance my forlorn situation.


Hero was model sister for young
man. In imagination I contrasted her
with my somewhat indolent Molle, end
ing by envying Jack tremendously; but
even as did so my eyes fell on the dis
mantled work basket, and | confess that [
shuddered.


:" Primrose" said I in whisper,
" where is Mollie 2"


She understood my thought, and pick
ing up the basket, commenced untangling
the contents.


She's got headache, and won't be
down for long time yet," said she re-as-
suringly, and settling herself down cosey-
ly in the great chair which I, having re-
covered my politeness, rolled up for her,
devoted herself to restoring it to its for
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