The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-11-10

said Matilda.
"Not handsome, but so Intelligent de-
clarcd Jeanette, who was the reader of the
family.
$50 sensible, too,n added Laura, who, in
spite of her name plumed herself upon her
aversion to romance.
"But he talked with me more than any
body" laughed Rose, "and came home with
me as well. He said he would call very
SOON"
Ting-a-ling! rang the bell.
The four looked at each other aghast.
What it that should be Mr.. Heath Maid
of all work gone on an Grand; nobody to
go to the door but me.
"Well, Annie, you're fit to be seen at all
events" said Rose.
| Yes, was fit to be seen! had on that
/ brown merino, to be sure. But my little
white apron saved it-snowy white, with
| dainty tucks and ruffles, and rose ribbon to
| brighten the hateful brown. So went to
the door, the rest scudded up stairs, wrap
pers flying, tittering as they went, after the
manner of girls.
Ladies' ~" said pleasant voice.
Eyes, sir; walk in"
Nv instructions were, if it proved to be
Mr. Heath, to entertain him until the rest
were ready.
The experience was a novel one, and en-
| ioyed it. 1 was not selfcunscious-noboG
had ever admired me but my mother-so l
| said the first thing thought of. suppose
| it was something naive, he smiled at all
events Somehow, l took to Mr.. Heath all
at once He was frank and natural, not
Il lo l,,k .,l w "a ho
had been dandiprat, couldn't have said
a word; as it was, l talked easily, and
have been told since-"welln
The piano was open, and Mr.. Heath asked
| if sang.
Having never been in society did not
know that it was en- regaLe to say, nothing
to speak Of" and plead "sore throat" l,
therefore, replied simply
"a little"
"Let me hear that little" insisted Mr..
Heath.
| l went to the piano and sang what songs
| l knew, Mr.. Heath standing beside me. He
had no need to turn over any music, for
| sang only those songs tina. knew, and those
were written on my heart
| There was a rustic in the entry, and NE
both turned My four sisters glided in, at
tired in their new silks, fresh and charming
as young beauties may be.
| They had been nearly an hour dressing
for to be beauty is not without its disad-
vantages; it takes time to support the
character.
| Then began a soft murmur of greeting
and compliment, in which l was preparing
to slip away. But a pair of eyes that held
an expression in their depths that had never
been turned on me before. while a gentle
voice said dccisively:
"You must not go, Miss Annie; your
sweet singing has made me your debtor; you
and l must be well acquainted yet
The girls were too well bred to stare
Rose said in her own tones:
"Annie, dear, stay" then added to Mr..
Heath, " she is so little used to company"
| Mr.. Heath said, bowling, II should never
have guessed it. Nature must have done
more for her than art can ever accomplish.
The conversation went on, and l, sitting
quietly by, enjoyed everything Once in a
while Mr. Heath turned to me- questioned
of this and that l answered upon the
strength of the good old adage, speak when
you are spoken to.
l
turned upon me, not angrily, but mirth-
fully.
"Well, Annie" said Rose, ~ do believe
you've cut US all out with the prince"
"That little white apron has done it all, >
said Laura"
| NO." said Jeanette, the eldest, who
was always intensely practical, it was be-
cause Annie was already dressed You
know gentlemen detest being kept waiting.
They'd rather see woman in calico, than
wait ten minutes for one to make toilet"
"Well," wound up Matilda, d" let's see
whether he asks for Annie the next time he
| comes to see-us"
| The next time Mr.. Heath came to "see
us" he asked solely and only for i Miss An
ME-" went down to see him in the very
identical brown merino, little white apron,
and rose colored ribbon-in fact, that was
the only attire he saw me in the whole win
ter through, for had nothing else that was
presentable
However, he found no fault with my at
tire, simple as it was. Brought me- Oh .
! such exqusites boquets and such pretty
songs that he had chosen himself for me to
sing
l told you was plain; Mr.. Heath did
not think so. A red light began to steal up
my cheek. l brushed my hair, which
CHANGED to be long and fine-we plain wo-
men are apt to have handsome hair-until
it shone satin smooth. My mother looked
upon me with approving eyes. My sisters
were at first tritle nettled, but at heart
they were too good for this to last long. A
feeling of remorse seemed to come over
them, one and all. They said nothing, but
tacitly did everything they could to annul
the past. Rose practiced with me-she was
fine musician, and 1 improved The others
helped with the homework, that 1 might
have time to be with Mr.. Heath.
They would have taken me out with them
now, but l refused to go: and they coaxed
and pleaded 80, however, that l consented.
g People would think it so strange" they
said. How was it that people had not
thought it strange all along" occurred to me,
but 1 said nothing.
A council of war was held over me. How
should be dressed.
A rose colored carleton was decided upon
l had nothing to say in the matter; in fact,
l knew Mr.. Heath would be my escort, and
that would be happiness enough.
My sisters dressed me this time, then re-
Sdrueu Iue result With SURPRISE handsome
it was impossible to make me. Daisy white
and pink never would; but they, bellies
| and beauties, were not ashamed of me-so 1
| was contented. As for Mr.. Heath, he re-
garded me obviously.
Miss Annie, missed the dear little white
apron" whispered he, as he gave me his
arm. :" 1t seems so home-like"
I Twas glad he liked me in the brown me,
rino. 1t is very sweet to know that it is
you, yourself, that pleases; and not what you
wear.
"rll wear it forever, then" said l, with sud
den intensity.
"Not forever" said he; shall want to see
you in certain dress Ipicture in my mind:
eye, one of these days"
What kind of dress was it, Wondered
and would ever be rich to buy it
So we reached our place of destination ant
all five of US sisters trooped into the dress
ing room. I watched the girls as they tool
off their wraps-they were to the mano
born; smoothed out their dresses deity, ar