Page:Peterson magazine 1849.pdf/19

 18 descended the steps and hastened into the work-room, followed by her eldest daughter.

“Miss Gray, I am in a terrible berry. Helen has to have this dress made by to-morrow evening,” and she tossed a bundle of blue tissue on the table. “Tr is to be made low neck, short sleeves, and three folds, bound with blue sill on the ekirt.”*

«Ianpoesible, Mrs. Hamilton, U could not even make plain dress I am so much hurried, and besides Lem feeling quite ill, and 1 am afraid I shall have to dis- appoint some whom I have already promised, which you know is always a very great trial to me.”

“But you must do it—you had better disappoint others than to disappoint me, for you know I was the first person who employed you. She must have it, and Ill take no denial.”

“Bot [ can’t, indeed—indeed I can't, 1 would do it with pleasure for you if 1 could, bat I am too un- well to take any more work.”

J shall leave it, Mise Gray. I eball insist upon its being done. If you are well enough to ait up, you are able to cut one dress I am sure, and you have Misa Helen’s pattern, 20 it will not be much trouble after all. Come, Helen, we must go.”

“It is impossible—atterly impossible for me to do it,” said Elsie, guzing up into Mrs. Harilton’s face with 60 wan and wearied look that i¢ would have melted any heart less selfish and worldly than Mrs. Hamilton's.

“This comes of patronising young giels and giving them floods of work, and then see how quickly they turn upon their benefactors and glory in disappointing them. I tell you, Miss Gray, if you do not make that dress it is the lust piece of work I will ever give you; and I tall you too that I will publish you all over the city ss the most ungrateful creature in the world, and then we'll see how you'll make your living.”

So saying, Mrs. Hamitton swept from the room, foltowed by her promising daughter, who said, “you did not eay half enough, mother. I dectare I nover saw such impudence, I wonder what these sewing people will come too. Itsa pretty pass now if they’ve got go independent that they can afford to refuse their customers work.”

‘And why were they in such a burry for Helen’s blue tissue? Had sbe no other dress? Dress after dress was piled over each other in her wardrobes end closets, but bleo was very becoming to Heten’s wex doll beauty, and she had not a single blue dress that hhad not been worn once or more.

They had thet moming sscortained that an old ac- qunintance just retuned from his European tour, was to be at a musical party which Mre. Pitwell wus to give, and as he was young, accomplished, and more than all wealthy, Mrs. Hamilton was soxious thet Helen should make an impression; #0 the dress must be had even if Elsie Gray, tho dress-maker, sat up till midnight over it, And Elsio did sit up, not only Ail) widight, but until tho struggling morning light trembled through the vines. ‘Then for one chort—one troubled hour she pretsed her head, her aching, throb- bing head upon the pillow, striving in vain to woo the aleep that would not come,

She arose and went to ber work again, The girls sewed diligently with her, and the dress was finished. With » long igh she left her work-table, and re ar- ranging ber beir, sbe put on her simple cottage bat and silk mantilla, and kissing her mother aifection- ately, went out {o take her accustomed evening wall.

‘Trembling and wearied she at length reached Mra. Devering’s cottage.

“My child! my child! how changed you are,” said Mrs. Devering, as she met her in the doorway, “how very misorably you look; your eyes are boliow, and the lids almost black; and your cheeks are 20 paltid; and your lips so pale and dry—why what is the mater? You shall not work any more—you sbati come and live with me, and rest until the warm weather is over,” and Mra, Devoring drew ber into the wide and matted hall, and seated her upon & Per sian lounge, at (he same time requesting a servant to bring some wine and cake, Elsic revived after drinking a glass of wine, and told Mrs. Devering of her night's work.

“It was oaly thet, I shall soon be better, but it is, 80 bard to work all day and all night tao,” she added.

“Shameful! shameful!” exclaimed Mra, Devering, forgetting her usual prudence.

Mra, Devering left her youngest daughter with Bisie, while Laura end hereelf went to their Yooms to prepare themselves for the musical soiree,

“You know mamma will set you down as she gooa slong, so you won't have to walk bome,” said Emnaay “but wouldn't it be grand if we were going to the party, and could seo that elegant yoring man that Helea Hamilton talks x0 much about. I do indeed believe that Laura thinks a great deal about bim, although mamma says it is very naughty for me ta say so, but I heard Laure telling Bell Townsend that Helen Hamilton was in love with him before he weat to Europe, and that she was certain he did not care a fig for her, and how could she be certain of thet if aho didn’t think be thought some of her?”

«Your reasoaing is not very logical,” smiled Elsie, with such @ sweet, sad smile, that it entirely trans fixed a young man coming up the gravel-walk which ‘wound through the lawn. He was dressed in deep mourning, and his eyes were sad in their expression, dut large and brilliantly beautiful. Hie features were faultless, and his figuro was singularly commanding.

‘There was something about that smite of Elsie Gray's which made his heart stand still, but as it- pasted away from her face leaving that wan, wearied ‘expression, he shook his head mournfully, and com tinued untit he reached the verandah, His steps fell upon Elsie’s ear, and looking up she saw the stranger. No! no stranger to Elsie Gray's heart, for with a wild ery of joy she sprang forward, and then sank back nonseless upon the lounge. Ad that cry ran through the bouse, Mra. Devering hastened dowaward, and found Philip Stewart cailiog upon Elsie hy every endearing word ho could think of to awaken her from her deathly slumber.

“Have I not suffered enough, but that she must die now—dio in my arms, my bird! my treavure! my poor, wan, wasted darling! awake for me, Elsie—for my love! Oh, bring me sir—bring me water—for Heaven’s sake, Mrs. Devering, don’t let my Elsie

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