The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-11-18

rlstling of muslin.
"Don't meet round the waist by a good 81,
inches, but can hold it mp. I wonder wha
makes the thing drag ON the floor and Gins
round ones legs 80
Oh, know-the crinoline ought to 90 under
For the dignity of manhood" we are r.luct
ant to chronicle the fact that our hero, intent OF
his Moteauf solitaire, did actually then and there
proceed TO the closet, and practically took dowr
hoop skirt, which he solemnly pat on.
Jupiter, how comlcal it feels !" he calculated
with an amused face. "Why, shouldn't dare
10 60 within yard of q vase or statuette, and
I'm quite certain should swamp all the chairs
ana tables l came near! Bother this trailing
mnslin-always in the way!'
For Mr.. Ross had untkinkingly plunged his
masculine foot through the delicate fabric Of the
| Dress
I'm not certain but that should make quite
nice looking woman" unused Kenneth, strut.
| ting backwards and forwards before the mirror.
with his Derby hat balanced daintily, and the
blue muslin revealing about a foot and half of
CALI skin and trousers. On the whole-tomb of
the prophet is that the girls?''
Mr.. Ross gave blindly desperate jerk at his
'saque," and pull at the crinoline, but all in
| vain.
The sweet gay voices, intermingled here and
there with ringing laugh, or a snatch of song,
drew nearer and nearer.
For an instant Mr.. Ross wildly contemplated
rush through the hall to his own door, but a
moments reflection convinced him that such
retreat would be simply impossible.
~ must stay and face it out" he then thought,
with cold perspiration breaking out on his
forehead, "but hold on, there's tho closet, It's
just possible they will stay here only minute
or two."
And Mr.. Kenneth Ross, totally obliy:ous of
the majesty Of man." fed precipitately into the
closet, tumbllng over his crinoline and muslin
IN disastrous manner, and hopelessly splitting
open the seams Of poor Alice's saoue
why the deuce didn't I think to secure the
key I" he thought, as the girls streamed into the
room: However, can hold tight on to the door
handle it any one attempts to get in. If-by
Jove.if the girls should see me in this rig, I
should never hear the last of it. don't see
either why I'm not obliged to play eavesdropper
against my will"
He leaned up against tho shelves, and breath.
lessly awaited the progress of the events.
"Why," calculated soft voice-Rosa's own
where's my Derby? Was careless enough to
leave 1t down stairs? Flora, you have hid
den it."
II wonder what you'll accuse me of next ?"
said Flora, in an injured voice.
"You told Mr.. Ross that Cousin Simon's letter
was to-to-"
"Your sweetheart? Well, he ought to be,
I'm sure. Mr.. Simon Montrose ID the handsom.
est young man know"
'Oh, Flora! he don't compare with Mr.. Ross.
"Rosa Fernall, be honest" said Flora. speak.
Ing distinctly, with two or three har-pins in her
cherry mouth; Switch do you like best-Cousin
Kenneth or Simon Montrose ="
"Flora
''Tell me,now. honestly"
The answer came in low, half inaudible
voice
"Kenueth."
The heart under Alice's sacque gave great
joyous Jump.
Mr.. Kenneth Ross head came in contact with
something on the upper shelf, and down came a
rain OF band boxes on his occiput.
There was an instant's terrified silence. and
then all the girls began to scream in chorus.
Mercy )" calculated Alice, "What is it 2"
~. How silly we all are said Rosa, TREMENDOUSLY,
'its only the cat"
AS il the cat could make such a noise as that.
Call Uncle John. Bring revolver. Alice. do
look and see what it u.s." sobbed Flora.
"No; you look" fAltered Allce retreatiny be.
hind the bureau
"Iil look myself" said Rosa Fernall, brayely
advancing to the rescue.
But when the door handle refused TO turn sv.
en- she was scared.
"Some one is holding the door inside. Call
the mem"
There is no necessity" quoth voice from |
behind the panels.
And the next moment the closet door flew on. |
en-, disclosing tall form in blue muslin and |
crinoline ana countenance whose utter sheep
ishness car never be described.
cousin Ken !" shrieked Flora
MIR. Ross, faltered Miss Fernall
"Why, II can't be possible!" calculated Alice.
And then the three girls chung together il ir.
represslb!e paroXysns Of laughter,
1.-THE fact is, ladies'" commenced Kenneth.
'ontusedly, 81 want some one to help ME off with
this mouse trap OF a hoopskirt! Miss Alice, I'm
very sorry splityour sacque open, but-wel, if
you don't stop laughing can't explain: that's
The long and the short of it,"
But Rosa Fernall had stopped laughing al.
ready, and the pink of her cheeks was deepeniup
INTO scarlet.
She had just remembcroI the words car elessly
'poken IN that very room, not five minutes be.
lore. ....
In a remarkable short space of time Mr. Ross
nad torn off his feminine adornments and sa1
ANONYMOUSLY, followed by the peals Of laughter
IF his cousin and Alice Ay,ner
Eosa-strange little piecs of contradiction
began to cry.
"Poor little thing she's hysteroal," said Aunt !
Meg, who had just appeared on the scene
But Rosa Fernal was not hysterieal
The full delicious moon of summer was in tho
nid.heaven that night, as Kenneth Ross strolled
INTO the garden, roodily putting at cigar, and
contemplating the feasibility OF leaving Quiet |
w arburgh, to avoid the girls sarcasm.
~ WAS a fool" quoth Kenneth aloud, "but
Who's there ?" .....I
1t was Rosa, with two or three white Glove |
pinks in her hand. coming from the lower part |
of the garden.