Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-03-05

| callcu nCT. lIlC lttSI DSIO1S hS nSho
out, she was puzzled how to elude his
| observation.
AT last she hit upon plan. On the
morning of the long-expected day, after
putting her dress and ornaments care
fully in parcel, she took them to the
house of her friend; and, without nam
ting hersreasen, -req qaestettll- lea~ea ase dress
there in the evening. This was, of
course, readily accorded; and now all
her difficulties seemed to be overcome.
The evening at length arrived; and,
bidding adieu to her husband, Emma
fastened to the scene of gaiety. She
speedily arrayed herself, and certainly a
more lovely being than she appeared
could scarcely be imagined Her sim
pie robe of white muslin, tastefully trim
med with delicate blue satin, set off her
neat little figure to perfection; a string
of small pearls Cher rich unclc's wedding
presently encircled her fair throat; and,
to complete the whole, the bird of para
disc reposed in its lustrous colors on her
| luxuriant hair, which, without other or
nament, was dressed in plated braids.
Her heart throbbed with gratified van
ity as she surveyed herself in the glass
pIChIOu " " l1AO
and her young companions compliment
ed her long and loudly on her elegant
appearance.
I said she was gratifed; but there
was lurking pain within that told her,
well as she looked, she could not wish
her husband to see her; and again she
confessed to herself that her vanity had
cost her dear.
The meeting of friends in the ball
room, however, with the sound of the
music and the sight of the dancers, soon
chased away all sombre reflections, and
she quickly entered into the spirit of
the exciting scene.
As she was good dancer, and exces-
siyely fond of the amusement, it may be
supposed that she was seldom a specta-
tor. Hours few like minutes; and those
who did not intend to stay to supper
were already departing, when, as she was
declining to make one in a quadrille
which was just forming, she heard her
hostess cxclaim, 'Delightfal why, if
here is not Mr.. Foster!"
Poor Emma's heart stood still, and
her hand was instinctively raised to re-
move her head ornament ere it should
meet her husbands eyes. Pride, how
ever, deferred her, and i'll less time than
it has taken to tell it, she glided from
the room, unseen by any, and, almost
fainting with apprehension, she made
her way to the dressing room.
Fortunately it was empty; so remov-
ing with nervous haste the ornament for
which she had suffered so much, she laid
her aching head on Il couch and pressed
her throbbing temples between her
hands.
Her name soon resounded through
the rooms and on the staircase, and
when the lady of the house, accompan-
led by several of her young friends, en-
tered the room, they started with alarm
at beholding her pale countenancc.
There was no need to feign indispo-
sition-the poor girl was really i'll; and
saying she wished to 90 home immedi-
ately, she was Informed of her husband 5
| arrival. This was the hardest trial that
Emma had yet encountered. She was
compelled to pretend ignorance of the
fact. Then cntrcating her friend to have
coach called, she FASTENED as well
as she could to join Mr. Foster in the
parlor.
"Why, Emma, my love-" he exclaim-
cd, as soon as she entered, 'what is the
matter? You are surely very ilI-and
so suddenly, tool Somebody said that
you were dancing when [ came in
You are really too fond of dancing. l
believe l must interdict it altogether y
Emma smiled languidly, and replied
''that she believed she had ovcr-exerted
herself, but she would be quite restored
| by morning"
Emma assisted into it by her kind and
attentive husband.
During their drive home, Mr.. Foster
accounted for his presence at the ball,
by informing his wife that just as he
was about to start for the country, the
gentleman to whom he was going came
up to the door, and thus rendered his
journey unnecessary. Il was obliged, u
/. continued Frederick, ';to ask the old
gentleman to take glass of wine, the
flavor of which, or my good company,
he added, laughing, $50 delighted him
that [ thought he would never take his
leave, or | should have followed you al
most Immediately.
" nat iuCh S"S1pC. thOuS III ELI
f ma, and again her heart reproved her
: and she mentally resolved never to con
; conceal anything from her husband
: again.
They sat down to late breakfast tbs
next morning, and were long over it
discussing the ball of the previous eve
: ming, when their little maid of-all ll-worl
entered the room, and placed n LITTLE
, packet on the table beside her mistress
saying, "Mrs. Mason sends her love tc
, you lam, and wishes to know if yot
l are better this morning; and she say
5 you forgot your bird of Paradise las
r night, so she has sent it home"
Poor Emma! it was all out at last
=. She had just presence of mind suficien
: to dismiss the maid with Il suitable mes
: sage to Mrs. Mason, and then prepared
r herself to answer the instant exclama
S ton of her husband.
| "a bird of Paradise! What on eartl
{ IS that ." and he deliberately stretched