The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-02-04 00:00:00

CHAPTER VII.
'THE STITCKITP'S PARTY.

DIE party at the Stuckups' was a grand affair, a
magnificent gathering of the lovers of finery.
There was the dashing Mrs. Pierre, whose dress was
spangled with diamonds, or at least what passed for
such, and the heart that beat beneath them was as
hard and cold as the glittering counterfeits themselves
but the wearer was a bel esprit, and had the reputa-
tation of being a wealthy widow from America, there-
fore she was one of the bright particular stars of the
evening.
The Stuckups were but just returned from Paris,
and it was understood among their set that this
brilliant party was given for the express purpose of
displaying the elegant costumes they had brought
from that city. Of course all the satins, laces, and
jewels of the guests were put in requisition, that
they might at least make a respectable show beside
them.

Such a brilliant display had seldom been seen in
that arena of millinery, the fashionable saloons of
Kensington. Laces that had done duty for several
generations, and had consequently fallen into the
"sere and yellow" tinge which connoisseurs profess
to admire, but which, to the unsophisticated taste is,
certainly not pleasing, clothed the faded forms of
those who could afford no new investment in that
line, and several antique satins that had glittered in
the stately minuets of the day of the Georges were
again brought to light.
In short, the party of the Stuckups was what it was
designed to be—a sort of conference of finery, in which
censures were passed, resolutions made, and petitions
meditated, if not actually presented. A suite of
dancing rooms with walls newly frescoed, and floors
artistically chalked, were thrown open to the gayer
portion of the crowd. Opposite to them a second
suite was devoted to games, and lounging, while the
wide-arched hall was filled with promenaders. The
guards' band filled the walls with harmony, and
outwardly all was brilliant enjoyment.
Internally there was much chagrin among the
fairer portion of the guests, for the three graces, as
the fair Misses Stuckup were called among their
admirers, appeared in a costume which might have
been appropriate for those whom they were supposed
to resemble. Simplicity was carried to an extreme
in the toilette of the three sisters.
Miss Stuckup, who was tall, thin, and dignified,
wore a Swiss robe delicately embroidered, with only a
spray of natural flowers in her hair, and a sash of
rose-tinted ribbon, with long, flowing ends. The
two younger sisters, who were red-haired and dull,
were dressed alike in blue glace silk with no trim-
mings.
Wlla t could they mean by giving out invitation
for this party three weeks beforehand, and then ap-
pearing themselves in this simple toilet ?" was asked
ameng the fair ones who had spent time and thought
enough in preparing for the display of this evening
to entitle them to a diploma from Madame La Mode
herself.

"Well, / will ask Seraphina Stuckup what it
means," said one courageous young lady, and she
approached the second daughter of the house with
her sweetest smile.

"My dear creature, you are really looking charm-
mingly this evening. I never saw you dressed in
better taste; but do you know we are quite taken by
surprise to see you in so simple a toilette on such an
occasion."

The young lady slightly elevated her eyebrows, and
with an almost imperceptible shrug of her shoulders,
replied—
"My dear Mrs. Le Bas, it cannot be unknown to
you that in Paris it is considered in very bad taste to
receive guests in full toilette. That is one of the
things our country women have not thoroughly
learned yet, but you know among the bon ton in Paris,
it is imperative that they shall dress simply when at
home to their friends."

" Ah-h," said the pretty Mrs. Le Bas, tossing her
curls, and looking quite enlightened, "I had no idea
that such would be your course, for it was whispered
that you and your sisters have brought home mar-
vellous dresses, in which to-night you were to eclipse
us all. Look around and see the brilliant costumes
that make their first appearance here. Really I
should not be surprised if many hundreds of pounds
have been spent on the display now made before
us." _

"So much the better for trade," said a young man
who had been listening intently. "The extravagance
of the rich feeds the industrious poor."
Twade be hanged !" said another voice, in a
curious drawl. "Can't you leave the shop behind
you, Alsop, when you come come into fashionable
society? For my part, I weally think such allusions
insuffewably wulgar,
Ah, Boosey, is that you? Glad to see you, old
fellow; cwiticising as usual, I perceive."
"Why shouldn't I be a cwitic if I find pleasure in
it? Have'n't I been to balls at the Twilleries, seen
the world at Wome and Naples, and shaken hands
with the Czar of all the Wussias in his own palace? I
fwatter myself that I am up to a thing or two, and I
assure you that this is a vewy tolewable affair got up
by the Stuckups, though I must say those two
younger pvirls look like blue cardinals with red top.
knots. Ton honour they do."

" S-h-h. Miss Seraphina will overhear you."
"If she does, they'll inwite me all the same, for
these people consider it an honour to have me pwesent
under any cwircwumstances."
Here the Hon. Gauche Boosey stuck his eye-gla,si in
his eye, and sauntered on in his usual awkward,
careless manner, confident that his presence 'ma felt
as an honour by his hosts and their guests.
(To be continued.)