The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-05-16
BIDDEFORD, MAINE, FRIDAY MORNING, M

my guests tonight, viz the plainnes Of
your dress to-nishtT
Il cannot at present, Mrs. Thurston, said
Lita, 'but at some future time may. hope
you do not think have done any thing i'm
properH have motive you would approve
Of, II were at liberty to name 1t : and Lita
stood blushing through her smiles at the in.
quiring face Of the lady.
20, no, Miss Ross, not improper; but 1t
seems 50 different from your own girli,h self
that It causes speculation in the minds Of
many. But do not let 1t trouble you. l
think 1t very becoming to you, this drab
dress with its blue trimmings. In short, !
never saw you looking 50 lovely as tonight,
though not so brilliant as your won't
20, Mrs. Thurston, you do not mean 1t !!
l am sure am looking very PLAIN. Brother
Fred said. before we left home, that | looked
twenty-five, and SO very prim, and have felt
as though It were true all the evening. 1t
must be your partiality for me, Mrs. Thun-
ton, indeed it must
Not at all, Lita; l am quite sincere in
my opinion, and have heard others say the
same.'
'Lita Ross Is Lita Ross, dress her as you
may said light-hearted girl, as she stood
talking to her companion. Just see her, as
she stand there with the light falling around
her soft drab dress but she looks prettier
tonight than ever continued the unselfsh
girl. Look, Harry
Yes, Lizzie, there are few faces like Lita
Ross. pretticr without adornments than with
know of but one other in this whole assem-
bly, and the little hand Of Lizzie was ten.
derly pressed by the young man, while sof:
blush stole over the fair faco of sweet tenn
pered Lizzie Gray, US they mingled with the
crowd.
The superstition was thrown open, iand
the tables, laid with silver and cut glass sup
porting all the choice luxuries Of the season,
presented dazzling spectacle, under the
multitude Of gas jets from the rich burners,
while the long, polished side-boards were
supplied with some of the richest wines, re-
aecting many prismatic color.
Miss Ross, what can help you to?' que
ried the gentleman who had escorted Lita to
the table.
Butfor moment Lita was quito obliyious.
She was thinking Of her brothers promise,
and wondering what effect 1t would have up
on Charlie Chester.
The ladies had withdrawn from the supper
room, but still the gentlemen fingered, or
returned after having escorted their fair com.
panions from the saloon.
'Frcd-Fred Ross, here, take this seat by
me, and while we sip our wine We will have
chat
well, I have no objection to the chat, but
the wine must refuse
Fred Ross is temperance man-hc has
signed the pledge! Three cheers for Fred
Ross =
Charlie Chester had in his hand q second
glass, and justsas he was about to drain Its
contents the words Of Frank Leland fell up
on his ear. He turned pale, and stood look
ing at Fred Ross, who sat smiling composed.
ly upon his boisterous companions.
Yes, temperance man, IL you like it,
I've signed pledge, too, and it's useless to
ask me more, for I'm bound to keep it,
Lita Ross had stationed herself near the
folding. door, and not only had she seen oil
that had taken place at the side.board, but
not word had passed but had reached her
ear. With heart filled with happiness che
turned away, and at that moment would not
have exchanged, for the richest dress around,
her own simple drab dress.
Several weeks wore away, and yet Liia
was never in public with any thing but drab.
ut is ridiculous in child Of her years.
said lady, as Lita entered large dry goods
establishment, perfectly ridiculous. fup-
pose she thinks 1t will pass for ccccitricity.
But 1t is not II is downright folly. If she
was my girl, I'd shut her up in the house
and feed her upon bread and water before I'd
see her make such simpleton of herself
Only sec that dnb bonnet with its white
ruchc and strings, and the drab capc-quitc
suitable for her grandmother
Il heard her called one Of the finest dressed
ladies upon the street, to-day, by a gentleman
from Europe replied the clerk, 'and he ex'
pressed desire to obtain an introduction to
her.
'Ah, indeed, said she, tossing her head
Show me some more lilac moires.'
,ExoJox;,L Rns. said Charlie Chcster