Middletown transcript., 1868-06-20

could not but confess that the child was
right when she said, "Alice put on your
garnet silk-it is your color;" for l never
looked SO well as on that night.
On entering her dressing room she met
me with kiss, and called Frank to admire
me, saying.
oh, Frank, cora mioi See how beau
tiful sister Alice looks Now Alice dear,
you shall wear my ruby set, for it will just
match your dress :" and despite my refu-
sal she clasped the tiaris around my head.
6 These are my birthday presents to you,
sister mio, with all the love have-after
him, you know"
The last sentence was spoken in whis-
per and a side glance at Frank.
"Now, Frank, you must leave the
ROOM"
What for, little lady 2'
"Why-because?"
"That's woman's reason; give mo a
better one."
Well, thcn-a gentleman has no bust
ness in BRIDES apartment until the bride
is dressed!' said Nina, with all the Sc
riousness in the world.
"Oh! I beg your pardon" laughed
Frank. had no idea what horrible
breach Of delicacy I was guilty Of" and
Frank shut the door, just escaping Gin
derrella slipper which look its fight that
way.
Now, Marie, he's gone; hurry with
my dressing"
Nina flung herself into an easy chair,
and Marie began the task of brushing the
pale gold hair.
elbow am to dress it, Madame !'' said
Marie.
Nina laughed clear ringing laugh.
"Dress it? Not at all !! Only brush it
out. Frank wishes me to look as much
like mad person as possible tonight
Alice; SO he has given me orders to nei-
ther braid or curl it. Only think how I
will look with my locks hanging fancy
free! won't be bad likeness of Lady
Adela that ancestress Of yours who was
killed by her jealous lord. Will I Alice ?"
" Nonsense, Nina, don't talk so." I
confess l could not deny myself but she
bore striking resemblance to the beauti-
full but unfortunate Adela Marchioness dc
Pontell, who was murdered through the
jealousy of her husband, and whose pic
ture hung in the south drawing-room,
In few moments Nina was dressed.
The long sweeping train ofwhite satin en-
broidered with silver encased the little doll
like figure, and the lace veil hung like
mist about her head and shoulders. No
thing remained but the clasping of the cir
clet of pearls, which was to be Franks sole
privilege.
Maria summoned him, and in moment
Nina's toilet was complete. How proud
and handsome my brother looked as he led
her to the end of the drawing-room to re-
ceive our guests Murmurs of admiration
could be heard on all sides, for mono had
seen my brothers wife until that night
and as for Nina herself she looked like
some fairy queen. Her pretty rosebud
mouth was wreathcd in smiles for ALL
After the arrival Of the guests the ball
was opened by Nina and friend of Franks,
who led the Minuet de la Cour.
remember that the room was much
crowded and very warm, in consequence
of which the numerous long windows from
ting the balcony were opened, thereby Civ
ing the company chance to promenade
through the grounds and still obtain views
of the dancers. think it must have been
about IL o'clock. While all the merriment
was at its height I saw Maria the French
maid, make sign to her mistress. Nina
was talking and laughing in a circle of
young people and did not notice her.
So went to Marie and asked her what
was the matter. She said she had note
for Madame. ga motel" Yes, gentle
man came up on the balcony. and gave her
note to deliver to the Madame. She
thought the gentleman said it was short
note from Monsieur Latel.
ga note from Frank Why, what in
the world did he write to Nina for ?" and
wondering, I took the little folded paper
and gave it to Nina. She opened it with
a queer, puzzled look; then began to
laugh.
"Why, how funnyl It's from Frank.
He wants me to come down to the sum-
mer-house on the edge of the cliff, for
moment. So excuse me ladies and gen.
tlemen, and you am;co milo, do the honors
to this circle"
Gathering up her long train she laugh
ingly left the room. We all could see the
white figure as it few down the walk in the
moonlight and at last disappeared in the
summer house.
Some one asked for music, and dozen
proposed singing. So I, in compliance,
went to the piano. Song after song fol-
lowed, and did not note the fight Of
time, until looking up from the music, |
saw Frank leaning on the end of the pi-
ano and looking anxiously around the
room. Bending over toward me, he asked:
"Where is Nina, Alice? %
Nina? Why. where did you leave
her? Did she not come in with you"
Come in with me-what do you
mean? have not been out.
"Not been out!" I rose from the pi-
ano with sense of something horrible.
growing upon me. It must have shown
in my face, for Frank caught the look and
grew white. Catchingme by the arm, he
asked:
ssWhere is Nina, Alice?"