Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-10-14

my dear, you are feverish," her mother
said !" You did too much Yesterday. You shall
come IL necessary"
But Clara declared she was perfectly we'll; and
certainly she appeared 50.
Her spirits were 50 high that Catherine was
puzzled at the change. The two gayiy chatted
the morning away. Clara consulted Catherine
on every point relating to the order for the
evening, and together they filed the flower
vases and baskets, decorating the simply
fectiYe.
BY seven O'Clock Mrs. GRAY was in her corner,
dressed in black silk, with purple ribbons in her
cap, and some fine knitting in her hand Cath
erlne, brunette, wore q pink silk fastened
with pulled sleeves of black Spanish lace.
Clara's dress was white cambria stripped with
pale green. She wore in her hair sprigs of the
pale smilax; an old-fashioned gold chain, with
a square, red-jewelled ornament, clasped her
slender throat, and long ear rings trembled in
her ears. small colored imp, hired for the
occasion, was stationed in the kitchen to watch
the ire where tea and coffee were TO be pre-
pared, and to attend the door.
Haf-past seven came. Catherine famed her
self superbly. Mrs. Gray knitted and yawned.
Clara walked to and fro, readiusting chairs
cushions, and books.
The first ring came. Enter Eliza Harlow, in
brown silk and best pocket-handkerchief. She
says, " GoOd-evenng, ladies'" looks round the
room with pleasant black eyes, and subsidies
into an abstract silence.
Catherine stares at her in amazement.
Rings come fast now. Young ladies and young
gentlemen drop in whose chief anxiety is to find
seat. This done, rigid, waiting silence fol-
By-and-by so many have arrived that the
luea OF permanent seats is given up; parties
stand in little groups, and begin to talk. Mrs.
Gray puts aside her knitting, Clara grows won
dertully voluble, GATHERINGS spirits rise.
The smell of coffee energies the air; the
party grows more lively; laughter Is heard. A
thing new was about to take place.
MI. Chandos, in full dress, Is bowling himself
In, and with him near-sighted, ight-hared
young man, Mr.. Redfall.
Clara receives them with perfect grace, her
secret feelings and the exterior circumstances
give Ne he P manners the proper equilibrium.
mr. MT hedfali, at once acknowledging her a. q
lady, excuses Charley Chandos for his weakness.
catherine Sinclair, with cunning side-looks,
investigates the newcomer, and makes In
sidious advances. She believes in magnetism;
SO does he, apparently, for he shortly finds him.
self near her, with strong desire to express 0
considerable friendliness.
" The smell of coffee on such occasions Is the
Key Key 10 conversation, have noticed" was his
1--WE have been SILENT" she replied, 9th
within few minutes. As soon as we begin to
quets could be arrayed ut the front, before a
battle opens, on each side, there would not be
much fighting, but a jolly exchange Of national
dishes s. frog for Bologna sausage, cabbage
"Now, what shall say to this ready misse"
he thought. Then, aloud al presume you
have been studying the map of Europe?"
/" Dear me, no; We have only sea-charts in
ThOrnbury.o
So their talk ran on, the listeners thinking
Miss Sinclair very forward; but Mr., Redfaf1
fresllment.
Mrs. Gray was taking cups of coffee and tea to
me guests, who were in both parlors, and pass
large table was spread i'm the middle room which
opened from the end of the hall.
Mr.; Chandos, crossing the hall, saw Clara
with h0spitable cares. He Joined her. and
asked if he might be of service.
" How delightful every thing looks tonight"
he said, with a beaming face, because she had
smiled in accepting his offer. "OId John was
amazed at the shrubs standing in the hall, and
at the beauty Of our flowers. How these geIan-
:. Times flies so; you forget they were set out
before Catherine came"
:" 1t is an age ago"
hal. 1t won't fly SO when she is gone, but hang
"When is she gong?"
=" In a day or two"
Did she hear a sigh as if of relief?
1t seemed SO, and she felt throb of pleasure.
She could not help giving him a shy glance; he
was pale and sad, and looked as if he needed a
friend.
"Do help me to serve these neon,e inm.-
diately. How shall We feed them to the best adj
vantage?" she begged; ''and do not leave me
LET MS ask them into this room; the table
with All TINS glass and china should be seen be-
"That would not do at ALL" said Mrs. Gray,
coming in; people DO not like to stand and eat:
upon. 1t is the custom; every thing must be Of
Tered to every person as if he were smItten with
universal helplessness."
s. Do as you please, Mr.. Chandos," ordered
cara . only make us merry and satisfied"
Her face looked so bright for a moment-she
stood so near him-that he almost forgot him
self. He hurried out, found Mr.. Redfall still
talking with Catherine, and spoke A word or two
to them. Mr.. Redfall offered his arm to her,
and led the way into the middle room. MT
Chandos offered his arm also to a young lady.
and said: " Follow the leader please; we are 90,
teri "A. A0"u war
Ina moment thirty people were round the
Well-ighted table, and in another were served
with the edibles-biscuit, tongue, marmalade.
delicious cake, fruited and plain, tarts, dishes
OF froth and amber, preserved fruits and cream:
IN short, all that the limits of Thornbury, dis
tant from the city, allowed For a short space
an Immense consumption went on. Clara and
her mother were delighted with this criterion of
success, and Piled aPpetites with zeal.
What dreadful chasms occur Mrs Goreham.
In your table W MIR. Redfall remarked: "bald
spots everywhere! 1 have taken nothing. as
sure you; neither have you, dare say. May 1
n W you seat now? Here is one in this corner
Thank you-a plate of any thing Have you
been to country tea party before?'
-. . No, never; like it. Why do so many keep
opened their mouths to eat, not to speak,
1t is our way. Tomorrow they will speak
fast enough; we shall be turned into hash"
Yet you invite such 2"
"Oh, we must invite each other: we live m
Our events often come from these insignificant
meetings."
"Does that elderly young lady enjoy herself
for instance 2" And he pointed to a silent spin,
ster who held her third teacup, and who was
looking everywhere with wide ewes
Certainly. She has the pattern of all our
dresses in her head, and can set forth our man
ners, and repeat all that has been said, at apy
moment from this"
60 The bashful young man, who laughs 30
much, is he really entertaned?"
4" He is bashful here; but tomorrow, i'm the
shops or loafing- places, he will be very hold and
ciety." "
l see, a tea-party is like others; or human
nature in general"
But have friends here who come with a
hearty and cOngenial spirit, who feel the dearth
OF a Countrywide, and who are happy to recognize
any thing beyond our small routine"
Clara's eyes wandered, as she spoke to a dis
tant part of the room. Mr.. Chandos was talking
very earnestly ~ Catherine. The buzz was SO
loud now, there was so much laughing, that pri-
yate conversation was safe. The ceremony of
the evening was over; Mrs. Gray had given up
effort and anxiety. She sat contented by a
friend, and both were nibbling at cake rich
enough to give them the nightmare. Knots and
groups formed throughout the rooms; cards were
brought out; somebody played a flute; q game
went on. As Clara still looked that way she
saw Catherine raise her eyes, then a deep glow
came into her face; she laughed cOouettishIv