North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-02-24


colored little at the doubtful compliment,
and, gathering up her pale blue satin dress.
she sailed stately away. .a ..
'' Miss Ross" said Mrs. Thurston, bend
ing her gentle face near to Lita's, will you
give key to the mystery that SO sorely puz-
zles my guests to night-the plainness of
YOUR dress on this occasion ?"
81 cannot, at present, Mrs. Thurston," re-
piled Lita ;"but at some future time may.
I hope you do not think / have done any.
thing improper 2 | have motive that you
would certainly approve OF, if were only at
liberty to name it,"
And Lita stood blushing through her
smiles at the inquiring face of the lady.
90, no, Miss Ross-nothing improper -
but it seems so unlike you own girlish self
that it causes speculation in the minds Of
many. But do not let it trouble you. I
think it very becoming to you, this drab
dress. with its blue trimmings. In short new
er saw you looking so lovely as tonight
though not so brilliant as you are won't"
"O,:Mrs. Thurston, you do not mean it
am sure am looking very plain. Brother
Fred said tonight, before I left home, |
looked twenty-five, and SO very prim, and
have felt as though it were true all the
evening. 1t must be your partialty for me,
Mrs, Thurston-indeed it must"
"Not at all, Lita. l am quite serious in
my opinion-indeed am. And have heard
others say the same"
"Lta 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 stands there with the light falling around
her soft drab dress; but she looks prettier
20 night than ever" continued the unset
fish girl
"Look, Harry"
"Yes, Lizzie, there are few faces like Lita
Ross, prettier without adornments than with
| know of but one other that can compare
with it in the whole assembly,"
And the little white hand of Lizzie was
tenderly pressed by the young man, while a
soft blush stole over the fair brow of sweet
tempered Lizzie Gray, as they mingled with
the crowd.
The supper saloon was thrown open, and
the table laid with silver and cut glass, sup
porting all the choice luxuries of the season !,
presented dazzling spectacle, under the
multitude of gay jets from the rich burners,
while the long, polished sdeboards were
supplied with the richest wines, rejecting
many prismatic color.
"Mss Ross, what can help you to f"-
guaried the young gentlemen who had escort
ed Lita to the table. ...
But for moment Lta was quite oblivious
She was thinking upon her brother Fred's
promise, and wondering what effect i: would
have on Charlie Chester.
The ladies had Withdrawn from the sup.
per room but still the gentlemen fingered,
or returned after having escorted their fair
companions from the saloon. -
Fred-Fred Ross-hera take this seat
by me, and while we sip our wine we will
have chat"
swell, Eve no objection to the chat but
the wine must refuse"
Fred Ross is temperance mamie has
signed the pledge. Three cheers for Fred
Ross !"
Charlie Chester had in his hand a second
glass, and just as he was about to drain its
contents the words of Frank Leland fell upon
his ears. He turned pale, and stood looking
at Fred, who sat smiling composedly upon
his boisterous companions.
Yes-just so; temperance man if you
like it. I've signed pledge, too, and it's
useless to ask me more, for / am bound to
keep it faithfully. .... .......
Lita Ross had stationed herself near the
folding door, and not only had she seen all
that had taken place at the sideboard, but
not word bad passed but had reached her
ear. With heart filled with happiness, she
turned away, and at that moment she would
nOe nhNC CACnabRcu iOI tuc IlCuoSt uTcSS
there her simple drab. ..
Several weeks passed away, and yet Lita
was never seen in public with any thing but
sonbre dlab.
1t is ridiculous in child of her years."
said lady, as Lita entered a large dry goods
establishment-perfectly ridiculous. I sup
pose she thinks it will pass for eccentricty
But it is not /; it is downright folly. If she
was my girl, I'd shut her up in the house and
feed her on bread and water before I'd see
her make such smpleton of herself. Only
see that drab bonnet she wears, with it's
white ruche and strings, and the cape-quite
suitable for her grandmother.
81 heard her called one of the very finest
dressed ladies on the street, to-day, by a
gentleman from Europe, and he expressed a
desire to obtain an introduction to her."
raDl;od tho ,.iark