Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-04-18
CHARLESTOWN, tn URSDAY, APRIL l8, 1867
"And las he never written 2"


"Thea most probably he has forgotten you
"Nc, papa-I know he has not forgotten me"
you're curious girl, Maude, said her ia
ther, caressingly stroking down the bright black
curls. Never mind, pet.-when your year
of calico is over I'll give you present that
shall please you passing well.
81 dom, want any present, Pspa, said
Msude, wistfully looking up into his face
eoh, papa there is only one thing in the world
that do want"
"And that You know very we'll you can't
have" said the merchant, sturdily. And SO
the colloquy terminated.
"Oh, Auut Eloise what a magnificent silk!
real gold color, isn'tit"
"Yes, think it is rather handsome said
Mrs Harrington, complacently. Il ordered 1t
imported myself. Sect shines like sheet
Of gold in the gas-light:"
who is it for ??
You, to be sure, child--for O'iena Syhe'
welding reception"
Maude shook her head demurely.
why, Maude, what will you wesr' You
must have q new silk.
Maude caught her fathers eye fixed earnest
ly upon her In an instant her resolution was
taken.
4 shall wear calico, Aunt Eloise.'
Calico To Mrs. Sykes wedding receptionY
why not, auntT
You dare not thu, defy society
Dare not
That was all 8Iaude said. The year Of or
deal was up that night, and she had stood
bravely 10 her colors.
Mr.. Bryant did not often attend parties, but
he went TO Mrs. Sykes that evening without
his daughters knowledge, and stood lesning
against door casing, watching the brilliant
devotees of fashion as they entered in glitter
ing. perfumed throngs-watching them with
an anxious eye.
Would Maude wsver aoto2 Was her will
no stronger than that of FIVE hundred other
women
Presently she came, as lovely as ever. the
throng parting on either side, as she advanced
up the room at the side Of her portly, vexed-
looking Aunt Harrington. Wbatwas the mur-
mur that reached her ears
Pink Calico Calico l--imposSblei Miss
Bryant wear Calico indeed Glace more like
ly, or MORE antiquel Actually calico? What
strange whim But Maude Bryant looks
lovely in anything
Lovely-she did look lovely in the soft folds
Of the French calico, with her sweet eye full OF
liquid light, and her cheek glowing with soft
scarlet.
Mr. Bryant drew long sigh Of relief, and
then ordered his carriage for home.
II was late when Mauie returned, but never
theless, she took peep into the library to sec
if her father was still up.
'PapaT
Come in, Maude. Do you know, pet, your
year of probation is up tonight 2
Il don't call it probation, sir.
Perhaps not Well, do you remember my
promising you present if you adhered to your
odd notions 2
Yes. papa but told You / did not want a
present.
You'll find it in the drawing-room, child.
Il won't takeit papa.
Wont you Suppose You just take look
at il first
And Maude went slowly up st,irs, obedieni
to her fathers gesture.
4 will not take it, wha,everitis, shethought,
as she opened thedoor, 'for--my goodness.
Charley May
'Maude-my own true love-
And Charley's bright brown eyes were look
ing into her's-Charey's chesnut moustache
was close against her cheek.
What do YOU think about taking my pre-
sent now. Miss Msude demanded Mr. Bryant
rubbing his hands gleefully. I've sent all the
way 10 Chicago for il, and think you seem
rather pleased with it than otherwise. tell
you what, Charley May, you may imagine that
YOU have been working hard FOR my daughter
all these months, but she has not been idle
Maude has well earned the happiness Of this
hour
And Mr. Bryant went down stairs to explain
it all to Aunt EIoise. who was highly mystifed
as 10 the state Of affairs.
Ph, was the solution Of the enigma that 81
puzzled the fashionable world few days. sub
sequently, when they read in the papers that
Maude Bryanthad married no moTed!ssinguISh-
ed person thsn Charley May.
p..-,-. go Car, novy -Tbo ;ovs Of p,-