The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-04-17
SeletfeS Dale.
(FRoM THE SOUTHERN HOME JouRNAL.)
THE OPERA BONNET.
BY J. WILLIAM VAN NAMLEE.

"Oh, dear! am afraid Miss Hyde
will disappoint me, and fail to bring the
opera bonnet in season. If it does not
come will not stir out of the house
this evening""
DO not wrong her, Ethel. 1t will be
here by the time you are dressed, l
think. Miss Hyde, you know, has a
great deal to attend to. Her mother
being i'll, she requires much time and
care t
Her mother is nothing to me, She
promised to have the bonnet done, and,
if she does not, it is the last piece OF
work will give her. This charity busi-
ness is detestable. [ do wish papa
would not insist on my giving work to
such people. If had ordered the bon
net to be made at Madame Du Points it
would have been home at this hour
Really, it is too provoking. 1t lacks ten
minutes Of the time Mr.. Greystone said
he would call for me-
Ethel Stone was an only child, pet
ted and indulged in every whim. She
grew up selfish, cold-hearted, and i'm
petuous. ats
Mr.. Greystone, the gentleman whom
she expected to accompany her to the
opera, was her fathers business part
ner. Three years before the readers
introduction to Ethel, Harry Greystone
had entered Mr.. Stones mercantile es-
tablishment in the capacity of book
keeper. He had followed the oceupa-
tion of school teaching; but finding 1T
did not agree with HIM, he sought more
active employment in the city. After
filling the situation of book-keeper two
years, he became the possessor of quite
little fortune, which he invested in the
firm ofStonc s. Co., and became one OF
the partners. tsfi'
He was frequent visitor at the house
of Mr.. Stone, and often accompanied
Ethel to places of amusement. He was
a handsome man and ar agreeable COM
panion. Perfectly free from all the sill
ly sentimentality and foppishness OF
fashionable gentlemen. Ethel conceiv-
ed an ardent admiration for him, and
looked upon him as her future husband
though he had never spoken of love nor
marriage, but in a thousand ways he
had convinced her that he admired her.
At the appointed hour Mr.. Greystone
arrived. lie found Ethel sitting in the
parlor, dressed for the opera, with the
exception Of her bonnet. A trown dis
figured her brow.
Good evening, Ethel. You are ready
see, and waiting. The carriage is at
the door, and we will start Immediately
as no doubt you will be anxious to hear
the first Of the new opera. But why
does that frown rest upon your brow
Il am angry, really angry, Mr., Grey
stone. ! The girl whom l employed to
make my opera bonnet has disappointed
me, and | shall be unable to attend the
opera this evening. Really, these sew
ing-girls are the most nnti uthtul beings
in creation. do not believe they know
how to tell the tfuth.' ,.xh.a
You are severe, am afraid, Some
thing unexpected may have happened,
and prevented this girl from fulfilling
her PROMISE But surely you will not
remain at home for so triilins circum-
stance? You can wear some other
covering for your head rfrs.
'Oh, you gentlemen know nothing
about a lady's toilet. But bark!
think she has come. Excuse me mo-
ment ana Twill see.'tL .4IiJtQN
Ethel glided from the room, but in her
haste to reach the hall, left the door
ajar, and Harry Greystone was an un-
willing listener to the following conver-
sation. .-- .....--..
Miss Stone, hope 1 am not too late |?
said sweet musical voice. yI
Il canassure you, Miss HYDE that
you are. You have, by, yourlimpudent
bVCh bhC NthuoO VI III oiA
engagement this evening, and sorely
offending friend. You promised to
have the bonnet done at six o'clock; il
is now eight and after ''.-'- Z -
Il know it, and am very sorry. Itried
to get it done, but mother was so much
worse could not work upoa.it steadily
NJ have nothing to do with your moth
er nor of any of your affairs. You
promised the bonnet should be done at
six, and you have failed to keep your
word. 1t is the last piece of work you
shall receive from me. l cannot pat
ronize person upon whose word l can
place no dependence
She was about to return to the parloI
with the bonnet in her hand.
! will you have the kindness to give