Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-05-11

tBrother Fred, l b 20 As am, though
I would gladly consult your taste and my own
by exchanging this aombredrea forthe roae-
colored Grape but b would not Be Hght I
should despise myself. l am sorry you are
going 10 be mortified ct my appearance. i
did not think before ] came below, Thai I
looked 50 old and prim; but Of counsel Do,
as you say so,P :
"Never mind, sis; I'm proud of you, let
you look as you will. / should not have
loved VOC halt 8 vel bad you weakly yield
ed TO my request And now run and get
your bat and cloak, for The carriage waits
At the DOOM EAE
Had my readers l0eked closely il tAase
Of Fredrick Ross, they Woald have seen
something closely resembling a tear glitter-
ing upon bis dark lashes, which be h~urfiedly.
wiped away AS Lita turned from him.g And
Lia thought he had never looked 30 lovingly
upon her as be did when be haLded her 30
tenderly into the carriage; and she was quite
sure that his bearing was more hat usually
proud as he led her TO the farther end of the
crowded reooption-rOom, TO present her TO
Mp. ThurstOn, the lady of the house.
4 Lita Ross, rs l live ?" cried an imperi-
GUS beauty as she tossed her stately head.
~ wonder what new freak has taken posses.
sion of heF2"
q Oh, she likes to render herself eonspicu-,
Gus" replied the lady, caressingly toying
with one other long golden Curls, dSee.
hoE all eyes follow her. l should not care
to be in her place. She looks like a Quaker
ess mRtron of thirty or thirty-fVe. You'll
stand quite a chance of being the reigning
belle tonight now that she has hidden her
beauty. under a cloud Of drab."
Miss Milford, the young lady addressed,
cOlored a little at the doubtful compliment
and gathering up her pale blue satin dress,
sailed stately away, ass.
miss Ross" said Mrs. Thurston, bending
her gentle face near to Lita's "Will you give
me a key to the mystery that SO sorely puz-
zles my guests, viz; the plainness of your
dress tonight"
al cannot at present Mrs. Thurston," re-
piled Lita ''but at some future time l hope
you do not think l have anything improper2
have a motive which you would approve Of,
if l were at liberty to name it," and Lita
stood blushing through her smiles at the in
curing face of the lady.
"Oh no, Hiss Ross, nothing improper; but
It seems SO different from your own girlish
self, that it causes speculation in the minds
Of many. But do not let il trouble you. 1
think it very becoming to you, this drab
dress with its blonde trimmings in short |
never saw you looking so lovely as tonight,
though not so brilliant as is your WON'T
Oh, Mrs. Thurston, you do not really
mean i'll | am sure / am looking very plain.
Brother Fred said, before we lett home, l
looked twenty-five, and so very prim, and l
have felt as if il were true all the evening"
Il must be your Partially for me, my dear
Mrs.. Thurston, indeed it must" HT
"NOt at all, Lita. Lam quite sincere in
my opinion, and l have heard others say the
slme.h
alta Ross is Lita Ross, dress her as you
may" said a light. hearted girl, as she stood
talking with her companion. q Just see her,
Harry, as she stands there with the light
falling around her soft drab dress. l used to
think her a beauty in her eurls and her tasty
dress, but she looks prOttisr to might than
ever" continued the uhsel6sh girl. "DC
look, Harryr
eyes, Lizzie there arc but few faces like
hits Ross prettier without ornaments than
with. Iknow Of but one other in this whole
assembly" and the little hand of Lizzie was
pressed tenderly by the young man, while
soft blush stole over the fair brow of sWeet
tempered Lizzie Gray, as they mingled witt
the crowd.
The upper saloon was thrown open, anC
the tables laid with silver and cut glass, sup
porting all the choice Injuries of the season
presented a dazzling spectacle, under tbI
multitude of gas jets from the rich burners
while the long polished sideboards were sup
piled with the choicest wines, rejecting man.
a prismatic color.
miss Ross, what can ] help you to :?
queried the gentleman who had escorted Lat
to the table. ,-,...H tal Fl
But for a moment Lita was quite oblivious
She was thinking Of her brothers promise
and wondering what effect it would hsv
upon Charlie Chester.
The ladies had withdrawn from the suppe
room, but sIIl many of the gentlemen lin
gered, or returned after having escorted thei
fair companions from the saloon.
"Fred-Fred Ross, here, take this seat b
me and while we sip our wine we will hav
q chat"
"Well, Frank, I've no objection 10 tn
chat but the wine | must refuse"
aired a temperance man-signed th
pledged Three cheers for Fred Ross"
Charlie Chester held in hand his seeOn
glass, and just ss he wss about 10 drain il
contents, the words of Frank Leland fell upo
his ear. He turned pale, placed his gla:
upon the table, and stood looking upon Fred
erick Ross who sat smiling composedly
his bOisterous companions.
T ayes q Temperance man, if you like it,
I've signed the pledge, too, for I'm bound
keep it" asfl-
t Lita Ross had Stationed herself near II
/. folding-door, and not only had seen all tbs
took place at the side hoard, but ret wor
t had passed but had reached her ear. With
; heart filled with happiness she turned ava,
: and at that N would not have exchsn(
ed for the richest around her, her own simp,
! drab dress. tl
Several weeks wore away, and yet Lit
was never in public in anything but drab.
] alt is ridiculous in 4 child of her years
said q lady, as Lita entered a large dry gooC
: establishment-"perfeetl ridiculous. ] suI
s pose she thinks it will pass for eccentricity-
Bun it. is not it is downright folly.iI If Sd
( was my girl, I'd shut her up in the hons
e and keep her upon bread and water, befo
: I'd see her making such a simpleton of heI
T self. Only see that drab bonnet with i
Z white ruche and strings, and the drah 81
7 dress and caps-quite suitable for her gran
a mother" 1
al have heard her called one of the fine
dressed ladies upon the street to-day, by
b gentleman from Europe" replied the cler
and he expressed q desire to obtain an i
PRODUCTION to her.
"Ah, indeed" said the young lady, TOT
ing her head. "Show me some iii
!. mOires."
"Frederick Ross" said Charlie Chest
IF drawing Fred's arm within his OWE, as th
left the crowd who thrOnged at AIRS. Gre
Wills musical assemblies, will you wa
with me2 I've something to say-a {
questions to ask you, if you viii not deem
impertinent in me-"
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