The Democratic advocate., 1871-04-13
Oriainal Story.
CINDEREtLA-.
A STORY OF THE CARNIVAL.
Written for The Democratic 4drocatc
BY sTRATHMoRE.

The last bracelet had been fastened,
the last false curl arranged by tasteful
fingers, and Nellie Herbert sighed as the
merry laughter of her cousins echoed
through the hall as she closed the door
on their gayly attired forms. When
she sat down at the work table in the
deserted back parlor, feeling of lone
illness aud neglect came ovre her, and
though she tried to occupy her mind
with her work, some delicate embroidery
for her cousin Annie, her thoughts
would wander far back into tho happy
past, when she was petted beloved
child, and loving hands did the Kind
Offices for her, that dependence now
compelled her to do for others. Poor
Nellie! the blue eyes He'd with tears us
these memories filled her heart. Only
two short years ago, she had enjoyed
the pleasures of Mrdi Gras in her
sunny home. Now a sad change had
indeed come over everything. She
could imagine how it would be tonight
the beautiful costumes, exquisite
flowers, aud above all the glorious music!
All /! poor child, hers was nature that
craved all such pleasures and Injuries,
and alas. her life was so lonely and
drcary, the lot of a dependant SO hard
to bear!
While these'thoughts filled her heart,
Nellie was not aware that some one had
entered the room, until she was aroused
by familiar voice, and looked up to
meet the gaze of queer but exceeding
ly kind looking old lady. "Why Miss
Ellis she exclaimed as she arose to
greet the unexpected visitor, "whcn did
you come in, did not hear you" "No
child" said the old lady with an odd
smile, "of course not crying because
they wouldn't take you to the mas
queradc, hey? Why Annie aud Bertha
would be afraid to trust your sweet
young face beside their faded ones, il
they do rouge SO terribly" Nellie was
trying to make some excuse for the ap-
parent neglect of her cousins, but the
kind hearted old maid interrupted her.
81 know just. how they treat you, aud
have made up my mind that you shall
go to the masquerade this very night"
Nellie looked at her in amazemeut. "Go
to the Ball oh !! Miss Ellis, how could
that be possible? | have no one to go
with me, aud the greatest trouble, l
have nothing to wear" "Very likely,
but child ! have thought of all that,
and to day / made out nice little plan,
and now you must go, if it is only to
please me-"
Nellie had always liked Miss Ellis,
who was what her co Isiu called her the
"oddest old maid," though they took
care to keep in her favor, for she was
extremely wealthy, and peep into her
jewel casket "did their hearts good" as
they expressed it, aud drive down the
avenue behind Miss Ellis's beautiful
bays was a treat TO be coveted But
Nellie Herbert was the old lady . fayorite,
though the naughty cousins sneered at
the preference, and wondered ''what she
could see about that strange child to
like; but NeH had always had such de-
ceiyM ways of getting into peoples
good graces." Several days before Miss
Ellis had called upon the family, and
heard the young ladies discoursing upon
the anticipated delights of the Carnival,
aud above all "that glorious Masked
Bali She saw pale, quiet Nellie bend
lower over her sewing, aud heard the
half suppressed sigh that escaped her,
and when the "queer old maid went
back to her elegant home, she made out
as she told Nellie her "nicc little plan"
or course Nellie was frightened at
the very Thought of such thing
"What would her cousins say, If they
knew it, they never would forgive herl
"No, oh! no, dear Miss Ellis, cannot
gor'
Blu. "can't go" was not down on that