MILDRED'S BARGAIN.
A Story for Girls.
BY MRS. JOHN LILLIE.
Chapter IV.
Mildred thought she had never seen anything finer than the beautiful hall and staircase at Miss Jenner's. She scarcely felt her foot fall on the rich dark carpets as she made her way up stairs into a beautiful old-fashioned room where half a dozen young people were congregated, laying aside their wraps. They were talking and laughing gayly, and Mildred recognized them as the daughters of the "leading people" in Milltown—girls about her own age or a little younger, to whom she had constantly sold ribbons or laces, or the "newest thing" in mantles. Poor Milly felt the pink coloring all her face, as she stood among them, some way feeling shut out. She was not old enough nor wise enough to realize the honorable side of her own life and its hard work; she thought only of what their feelings would be were they to recognize in her one of "Hardman's" girls. But as no one knew her, two or three whispered together, wondering who the pretty lady-like stranger could be, and as they all went down the oak stairs together, one of the girls spoke to her in a friendly, good-humored way. Milly was glad of company as she found herself at the door of the long, beautiful room in which Miss Jenner stood waiting for her young friends. The eyes of the poor little "sales-woman" were dazzled by the quiet elegance of the room—the many pictures, the statuary, and articles of virtu from many lands. Milly forgot even her fright and her intense consciousness of her gray silk in her pleasure at these novel sights.
"So you found your way here, Mildred," Miss Jenner said, in her brusque though kindly voice. "Well, I'm glad to see you. Now come and let me introduce you to my niece, for this is her company."
Mildred found herself following Miss Jenner into a pretty half-shaded room at the end of the parlor. A young girl of about fifteen, very slight and delicate, but exceedingly pretty, was seated there, with one or two young people near her.
"Alice," said Miss Jenner, using a tone so soft that Mildred could not believe it was her new friend's voice, "this is Mildred Lee: I want you to make great friends with her."
The young girl stretched out a slim hand with something uncertain in her gesture. As Mildred took it, Miss Jenner whispered, with a deep sigh, "She is blind."
Mildred felt full of compassion for the poor young girl, who, surrounded by so much that was beautiful, could see and understand nothing of it; but she speedily found that Alice Jenner took the keenest delight in conversation. As they were left by themselves half an hour, Mildred found it a pleasant task to entertain her. She described for her amusement the little company, the dresses, the effect of everything, finally drifting into her own affairs, and avowing her position at Mr. Hardman's. Alice listened with delight; Milly's life was so different from hers.
"Yes, I should think so," sighed Milly, glancing around at the luxurious, warmly tinted rooms; then she remembered the young girl's infirmity.
"No, Milly," said Alice, "you would not change with me."
MILDRED AT THE PARTY.
When tea was announced, Milly found it hard to leave her new friend, but she thoroughly enjoyed the bountiful and sumptuous meal to which they all sat down. Later, games were played in which Alice could join, and finally Miss Jenner's nephew, a tall boy a little older than Milly, was called over to take her to the library. Mildred never had seen such a room as that library. Not only were there all the books she had most wanted to read, but there were photographs of every place under the sun, and engravings of all the great masters she had heard her father talk about. So keenly interested was she in it all, that young Jenner went away, bringing back his blind sister, and begging Milly to "describe it all to Alice." Nothing could have pleased her better, and so the three bent over a book of engravings, Alice listening eagerly while Mildred explained each picture in elaborate detail. Roger Jenner begged Mildred not to pause, even though ice-cream was being handed around in the parlor—he would go and bring in Alice's and her own share. He returned speedily, followed by a servant carrying a tray with the ices and delicious cups of hot chocolate upon it. Roger was divided between listening to an account of Raphael's St. Cecilia and the duty of handing Mildred her chocolate, while Milly absently stretched out her fingers for the cup. It was an instant's awkwardness on both sides, followed by a little cry from Milly, and a stare of horror from Roger. The cup of boiling chocolate poured in a brown stream down the front of her gray silk dress.
Poor Mildred! I am afraid, in spite of Roger's anxious apologies and her own instinctive politeness, she looked very miserable. The rest of the evening hung but heavily on her hands. Alice easily dismissed the subject, not guessing of how much importance one silk dress could be to any one, little knowing the misery in her companion's mind. Mildred tried to continue her narrations, but she was glad when the room filled, and Alice's chair became a general centre; still more pleased when it came time for her to go home, and she could again wrap her water-proof over her new dress, and feel it hidden. Miss Jenner had certainly been very kind. Even one or two hours in such a beautiful house was enough to fill her with delight, and Alice and Roger were charming companions; but Milly, as she stood in the dressing-room, felt somehow the evening had not been a success, and her comfort received its last shock on overhearing two of the "leading" young ladies whisper to a third, "Why, that girl in the gray silk dress is one of Hardman's clerks. How could Miss Jenner have invited her? And see how she's all dressed up." Mildred felt rather than saw the sneering looks which followed her out of the room. Poor child! her heart under the much-prized dress was beating with mortification and disappointment as she went down stairs. Miss Jenner said very little about seeing her again, and when she joined Joe in the hall, she found him in a most unamiable mood.
"What is it, Joey?" said Milly, as they went out of the gate. Come what might, Mildred was always a thoughtful, gentle elder sister.
"Why, the landlord's been in," Joe said, sulkily, "and he says we must pay in advance after this. I wish the day could come, Mil," added the boy, "when I could get a place in at Hardman's."
Poor Milly gave a little groan. "Don't say that, dear," she said. "People talk of my being there as if it was a disgrace. Don't bother about Mr. Stiles, Joey; I'll see him to-morrow."
Deborah was waiting up to hear Milly's account of the party, and was wrathful at the girl's running quickly up stairs, not knowing what she had to conceal. Once in her own room, Milly looked eagerly at the stained silk. It was hopelessly ruined! Chocolate she knew never would submit to any cleansing, and so she put it away with a sigh, feeling she had paid dearly for one evening's finery. For the first time since her bargain, the thought of the thirty dollars weighed like a guilty secret on her heart. She could not sleep, but after going to bed lay thinking of the weekly visit she must receive from that bold, hard-featured woman.
[to be continued.]
