The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1866-12-06

Matte, when you put it on, shall
see myself again." and saying it, her
eyes were wc.; and seeing this, put
down the longing for the dress, aid
said:
; IN 9th Ter. put it back ; it is toogand
for me. What would Gilbert saly to
see me wear it ?"
bat mother was determined. So we
set to work to change the make of it
as we'll as we could. And the next day
how we did work | and father looked
so amazed and was so pleased, that
was to 60. I sewed till my bones
ached; and mother did the cutting and
contriving, and that is more than half.
1t wasn't in the time Of sewing ma
chimes, but before dark mother put the
last stitch to it, and 1 took it up stairs
to put it on. I laid it down and look
cd at it, and held it up and looked at
it. 1t was the grandest thing I had
ever had; since then I have worn
many such, but none pleased me as the
first did. Then I sat down by the win
dow, and looked over to Gilbert's home
standing back among the trees which
kept it in such shadow. and dreamed 7
was mistress Of it, and the years were
charmed years for Gilbert and me. Then
l curled my hair and put on the dress.
Was it really Matte Raymond that
smiled back at me from the glass
How the tiny stars seemed to wink
at me from the deep blqe!. Then I ran
down to ask mother if she knew herself
kagain. - '1'
How bright it all is, to remember
since things have all been so changed! !
Across the fields came Gilbert, walk
ing fast and distinguishing bunch
Of white roses in his hand I ran up
stairs and mother brought me the roses
I caught up my sleeve with them and !
put bunch for, my brooch. and went
down: stairs, and I was Happier then
than ever before, Or: ever shall be again
till it is all made right. 49, =
"Why, Mat" said: Gilbert; ttit is you
see, perhaps--you look more like
some lady Of old, or may be an angel"
Mother laughed and said: "she
won't be outshone" e"-but I colored up
and answered:
"It takes blue to make me an angel
tho "-and tried to cover over moth
er's speech, for I did not care that Gil
bert should hear how mother and I had
planned about it, for he would not IN
derstand men never do, you sec.-I
Then we started across the field, and 1
held up my dress SO not one of the tiny
stars should sweep the grass, and Gil
bert was at his gayest, and laughed and
joked me- about my dress, and said l
only wanted a half moon in my hair to
make. ! me: queen; Of the night: ;, How
proud and happy I was that time! o.!
that the best parts Of our life can only
be tasted but once in all the years we
must be alive! =
My! how the lights spark led and lit
up the gay dresses of the city ladies !
Over in one corner they stood watching
our country boys and girls, getting
ready for the first dance; and high over
all the gay laughter and sound of dane
ing feet, Aoated the music, and think
it must have witchcd US all.
Gilbert said we would cross over aud
see his city friends, and so 1 held up
my dress and tried to still the bounds
my heart gave, and went with a proud
face to meet my woe.
Gilbert shook hands with them (ex-
cept one lady, standing apart, talking
with the handsomest man of them ALL
aud told them I was his friend, Miss
Raymond; and they bowed and smiled
and seemed to forget my country ways
so forgot them* for onee, and was at
my ease among them, wondering who
tho lady wa! he did not speak to. Then.
tte gentleman che was taking ts turn
ed and said: Miss Raymond, Miss
Howard" and sheFbo~ed,, and glanced.
at me with her great shining eyes,
But when :Gilbert's turn came; she.
reached forth the whitest hand towards
him, and looked Up in his face and
smiled, aud then I saw what she would
do, and hated her.
I: 'Rober. Hide talksd, and walked, and
danced with me-, and Gilbert and Miss
Howard seemed to be fast friends
I laughe&my gayest and danced my
best, and only glanced at them now and
then,: wondering how it would end.
+ They were handsome couple ; she
as slight as fairy, her hair as bright
as gold, and so soft and fine, and her
great, blue eyes, so full of light, made
one think of looking, down into clear
lake to where the silver sands sparkled
at the bottom. But I hated her for
her beauty. That night, at the door,
Gilbert said:
"Mat, you and Robert Halo seem to
suit each other first rate"
| And I thought be did that to; sound
me, SO said "Hc is the finest man l
ever met" aud then, never to let him
think I cared II don't want you to
tell him I said SO, though. Isn't Miss.
Howard an angel, too?" e.
. "She will not need to change her
face when she IS wanted for ouc," said
he; "all she lacks is wings" g.:
"They may be growing" I told him,
rand he said r perhaps" and added
"good night. 1Mat-Itwish you success.
r. soou,s q c,so or lovo ot fret sioht with