The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-05-07
THE LACE
By HARRIET PRESCOTT sPoFFoRD.

49, G-I%1 $3.50 49, $50
put UP the roundest little hand In the
world. and twitched petulantly at the
scarlet shoulder-knots that gave her
dress an odd resemblance to a red
winged blackbird.
IF l only had a Spanish lace
shawl" said the owner of the pretty
face and figure. ct looks so unfn-
ished- But therel" And with that
she seized her gloves and handker-
chief and went slowly down the stairs,
complaining to herself against the
fate that refused her a black Spanish
lace shawl to heighten the dazzle OF
those plump white shoulders.
We'll, my pretty blackbird, said
her admiring father, as he stood upon
the rug and confronted her entrance,
this is an early hour for you, and L
declare Fdon't see but that you eclipse
the lovely beings that take three hours
to dress in"
"Of course l needn't be so long as
people who have whole consultations
Of diamonds to secure, and no end of
lace to pull outl"
You have two black diamonds, my
dear, hat l wouldn't mortgage for a
kingdom,
You silly mani"
And as for the lace" continued
/ her father, why, hereI" and 10 a
moment his dextrous hand had thrown
what seemed a shadow through the
air, and, dark and soft and clinging as
a cobwcb, it had fallen all around her.
She caught a glimpse of herself In the.
mirror, as the exquisite thing hung
from her hair about her shoulders
and her dimpled arms; it was the
loveliest little Andalusiau picture
that was yer painted.
oh, papa, how good you are
how kind you arel What made you
think of it2 You dear old mani Oh,
mellow perfectly beautiful Put
down your mouth and let me kiss
you-but don't disturb my hairl"
And with these words she had sprung
upon an ottoman and flung her arms
round his neck, squeezing him with
rap(urOus embraces to the detriment
of all his starch and much Of her
toilette. But then she was a mother
less and spoiled thing, aud this was
the least of her liberties.
There, there, therei' cried the
father, swinging her by the waist a
minute ere he set her on her feet.
" Let me off this time, andI promise
not to do it again.
Il don't want you to do it again.
How came you to do it this time, you
dear old fellow2"
How came [ to doit this timer
What made me think of it2 Why.
to speak plain, Therese, have I had
any rational conversation fora month
passed, into which there did not
enter the flavor of Spanish lace?'
What kind of flavor is that,
papa?"
As Professor Blot, my dear"
l know myself" she answered,
with her coquettish way, which she
must needs exercise Oh her father till
some younger chevaiier took her of
his hands. 1t is made up of one
part orange grove in full blossom, so
that its air is only a divine perfume
like love, you know, papa, sweet but
bitter too u-9Iea.
What do you know about love2'
All, much Then there is one
part moonlight, castle-turrets In the
distance, two lovers, duenna, the
tinkling Of the guitar, an answering
nightingale, the whole mingled with
the music of a falling fountains
waters, and you may throw In the
bay leaf If you pleased
, Well, my dear, | am glad it takes
so small a thing to make you happy
and high spirited. I have hesitated
a little about the matter, I may as
we'll eonfess-net that I do not want
to grant all your wishes, little daugh
ter-but because five hundred dollars,
which is the price of your shawl, as
you may as we'll know"
"Oh, [ have known that a long
time, papa" she answered, with a sigh
of remembrance and of relief.
Because that five hundred dollars
will help five families over the severer
portion of the Winter; keep the hope
in husbands hearts, keep the life IL
little children, and keep girls ike you
from death aud worse than death"
How you do talk, papa. Can't
/ you afford to give FIVE hundred dollars
to the poor, too? | don't suppose.
though, there is any need; the city
allows so much fuel, and there are the
sOup-houses.'
Her father made 20 more reply, foI
: though he meant that at some timt
r she should see and understand the
/ darker sides of life, yet tonight be
hardly cared to spoil his little girl's
enjoyment of her new Pc session. Ht
looked at his watch aud touched the
bell, ordering the coach at once, as be
meant to drive round by MaeNamee'
a.. his porters-house, Tor a necessary
errand, before Joining the thTOng al
4. Mrs. Meyerbehr's.