The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-20
CHAPTER x.

School Friends-The Party-Christnas Eve-The
Characters of the Friends-Levity of Manners
Excuses for Shopping Invitation to the Ball
In the following week Alices two friends
arrived, attractive and snowy, but both wanting
in that sweet nameless grace which shows the
influence OF the Spirits teachings. Lillian Fos-
ter Was tall, handsome girl, with hair of a
chestnut hue, and large blue eyes, but there was
made one uncomfortable. You felt, that could
she be touched by lthuriel's spear, she would
suddenly appear in very different form from
her present most lovely one.
Lucy Damer was brunette, with sparkling
black ewes, which seemed never to have mo.
ment's repose. Her hair was black, and worn
in short curls over her head, her whole sem
blance partaking of the Indian nature, to which,
however, she had no claims, at least within her
knowledge. .. ....
Two days after their arrival our party came off.
Janet would have termed them all "old fogies"
with the exception of Mr.. May, who came hate,
but that her oDservant eyes were closely scan
ming the characteristics of everybody, and she
became interested IN spite of herself And the
new charm of Agnes Marshali's society being stlll
fresh, she made herself very amiable, and sub
milted to be petted by Mr.. Elwood. .Us'
Fanny Mavor had been invited as a kind of
companion Tor Miss May. Experience, however,
proved there could be no assimilation between
the two After tea the card-tabes we're arranged
Miss May and Mr.. Marshall played chess and
Fanny Mayor fitted about from one to the other.
The girls retreated to the back room, and closed
the folding doors. Alice's two friends played
duet, and played well, too. Then Alice sang,
Mary played, and Alice sang again to her sisters
accompaniment. Presently, one of the folding
doors was slowly opened for small space, and
Mr.. Elwood whispered, May come inW Janet
held out her hand, and conducted him over TO
chair. The old man was delighted. He asked
ior several OF the old ballads of his youth, but
none of the girls were accomplished enough tor
this excepting Mary, who warbled, for It could
hon lad NOT al 70 han anlxC sannU
Soon after one and another came in, till my hus-
band complained of the desertion, and both
doors were thrown open. Janet asked:-
when shall we dance, mammaY and will you
play for us " ..-..
siNow, if you like, and will play"
The rooms were soon arranged for dancing;
all the gentlemen we're pressed into service,
spite of faint denials and requests that if they
Consented all shortcomings must be overlooked.
We had good country dance; one OF the olden
times then quadrilles, and, lastly, Sir Roger de
COVerley. And so the pleasant evening passed,
| and separations came, and kind farewells were
| said, and hopes of future meetings which latter
came in all due time
Christmas eve arrived with all its welcom
! ings but the soul had gone out OF it. Unspoken
| memories of Dot and Edith were visible in all
| our faces, however deep buried in our hearts
| we stroYe to keep them. Even Walter and
| Franks boisterous spirits were checked, but
only occasionally, when they looked up and
instead of smiles, saw the rebellious regret
which time had been unable to etface. 1t was
late before Richard arrived, brimful of mirth
He brought with him some small present fo
each-none were forgotten. Among othe
things, carefully packed in box was large
gilded doll of gingerbread tor Janet. She ac
cepted the present without remark, much Il
the astonishment of her brother, who present.,
discovered her feeding Fdo with the dainty
She was laughing, aud said she was meditatinl
on the best way to make "Fiddy" return thank
for being so pleasantly remembered. Dcl
looked crestiallen; he had expected anything
but this, and set himself thinking how 1t was pos
sible that his joke could fall pointess 10 tn
ground. s. Hl ty.l -
Tbese two trivial circumstances opened m
eyes TO their characters, felt held the Ike
to both their natures. might trust Janet tn
world through. She would receive no insults
but quietly turn the tables on any one VIII
offered them. The gingerbread doll did nc
make the slightest difference in her love {
regard Tor her brother; II did not lead her I
retaliate In any way; but, whether she knew