New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-04-06

will be the most becoming dress you could
wear You may have to take in the seams OF
the tunic little, to fit your slender waist; the
skirts, I think, will be just the right length.
And here are the little shoes---iumber three:
You see remember the number And here is
the mask to tie over your sweet face, and
dearest Clarice, aohat are you talking
about Not, surely, of my going to this
g Now do not say word, for see the no upon
your lips have set my heart upon it. No
one will know you. Your mask will shield you,
and you can see everybody, and enjoy the brill
liant scene, and mingle with it, without any
person ever suspecting who you are"
It will be very, very pleasant, certainly,
butt
g There are to be no butts. Mrs. Sumner and
/ have arranged it all. There is your ticket :;
and Mrs Summer is going to send a coach for
you at eight o'clock this night week. She has
always felt kindly towards you but to keep
peace with her family has seemed to give you
up
!" But the dress, dear Clarice'-
&c Never mind the dress; it is n present from
Mrs Sumner. Now don't look proud. We must
mt Ia too independent in this world, but do as
ve would be done by, and accept favors from
others when sincerely given, as we would give
them, lovingly. and in the spirit of trust Oh,
there is 70 little Of that spirit in this wicked
world Z
q NY dearest Clarice, where did you learn so
much Of that true spirit of Christ But need
look no further than your own truth-inspired,
genuine little heart for an answer to my cues
hon. You have prevailed, darling. ! could not
refuse you much more important request, what
ever pain it might cost me-
pain, dear Ruth But this will cost you
nothing but pleasure
s And now your dress, my darling Clariee ~
1 IL 81 hnv,ry S hn mt
to guide you in making it. You Will go!
Yes, dear Clarice''
$ Mrs. Sumner, recollect, is to send coach
for you; but you will not come home alone'
unless am greatly mistaken.
The night of the masquerade had arrived !;
and Ruth had to acknowledge that she could
not have worn more becoming dress Her
mother could not sufficiently express her admlra-
tion Of the beauty of her darling. Everything
that could make her toilet complete, even to the
embroidered handkerchief, was sent with the
Dress 1t was like some fairy tale to Ruth.
And when, punctual to the moment, the carriage
came, the tumult of her thoughts grew more
strange and conflicting She was once more
going into the very midst of the circle Of which
she had once formed part, and no insignificant
part; but it was still like fairy tale for she was
going to wear the invisible cap, and not one OF
the gay company could know who she was.
tions, and she was charmed out Of herself and
all her old sad thoughts in watching the numer-
Gus beautiful and strange costumes, and in try
ing to make out this one and that Her cousin
Bertha she was sure she had discovered. dressed
as Mary, Queen of Scots, and most queenly
queen she made. A tall, graceful form, in the
picturesque, close-ftting guise of the ancient
Greek complete in all, even to the light flowing
mantle over the left shoulder, who lowered con-
hnnv
told her, Lincoln Raymond.
Presently, tamborin in hand, came up to
Ruth the merry little fortune teller
6 Come with me, dear Ruth whispered she
very mysteriously; g / have something to show
YOU lai.t.
Ruth followed her cousin through rooms and
long entries all thronged with the way maskers,
until, coming to door, Clarice drew key from
her pocket, and opening it, said to Ruth
e g TO in, dear, and stay till | return 1t is o
perfect love of little ROOM
Ruth could not well do any thing else than
remain till her Cousins return, for she had
locked the door and taken the key with her.
However, she soon returned, but not alone,
for she brought with her the graceful Greek.
Sc Now" said the tamborin girl, edo me the
favor, both of you, of unmasking, and tell me,
when return, if the surprise is not mutual
and well conceived. You need not fear inter-
ruption.'
Before Ruth had time to reply, the dancer
was off with her tamborin, with the door
locked after her, and the key in her own pos
session.
This is a cool proceeding, to say the least of
it, said the Greek &c But will do my part
of the obligations" continued he, unmasking
$ and if my fair friend will do hers''-
But the g fair FRIEND instead of unmasking,
chose to faint. The Greek gently united her
m IN rvIuo ka1. fbon aud 20
we're revealed to him, he could scarcely repress
scream. He caught her to his heart, and
held her there so long and fervently, that his
own strong life infused vitality into thepale face
resting on his BOSOM
"Where am L? Oh, have had such q strange
dreamp' exclaimed Ruth
&C You are safe, and will soon, hope, be we'll
But, dearest Ruth-my dear Miss Lee, when
did you return from Iowa."
ssOh, have never, never been to Iowa in all
my life. /" And Ruth looked as though she
would faint again.
"Neyer been to Iowa! This is strange Your
cousin Bertha"-
sob, do not say any thing ill of her! She is
my cousin. Never mind me. Let me leave the
room. had rather co.
$ But, my dearest-but, Miss Lee, the door is
fastened upon the outside, and we are both
prisoners. Let us make the best of it, and talk
~" eiiS PiSe' Cuauob tcI YOU uOW nave
longed to see you. j had decided soon to go to
Iowa in search of you''
They told me you were soon to be united to
my cousin Bertha
We will not talk of that; though will con-
Tess that your false cousin somewhat bewildered
me. But she never could succeed in effacng
you from my heart, dearest, dearest Ruth
When left the country year and half ago
1T was more suddenly than / expected, and
without any formal engagement or declaration
of love between us. But my whole heart was
yours, and hoped and trusted your love was
also mine. Was Twas mistaken!'
Ruth trembled from head to foot, but could
not say word The coming in, just at the
moment, of their little jailer was a great relief
to Ruth; but, though she had given Raymond
no verbal answer, the light of love in her soft
eyes had illumined his inmost soul, and made
him happy.
Clarice saw at glance how things were, and
all she said was
$ Oh, forgive my poor sister! And forgive me
for not revealing to you sooner that cousin
Ruth had not left this place; but oh, could
not speak the words! Bertha is my sister, and
her untruth made my heart ache so much |
could not speak it. But oh, say l am for
given?'
Raymond was too happy to harbor an unkind
thought against any one, and certainly not
against the present author of his happiness.
30. out Of his full heart, he comforted the tear
ful little (lapina init