The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-01-16

| seemed OYerp0Wereu at tne pare luea OF
Miss Ada Ross. read story of feminine
oppression and cruelty l understood the
girls miserable position; the taunts she re-
ceived from Lady Clara, the envy and jeal-
ously of Miss Ross.
After dinner had Miss Kate all to my
self. No one seemed to think was worthy
OF much notice, and no one seemed to care
for her. although she was the prettiest
and sweetest girl in the room. People took
their cue from Lady Clara, who ignored us
both.
/ must tell how it was that so quick and
true a sympathy sprang up between Kate
and myself. Perhaps, because we both low
ed John Fairlie so we'll perhaps, because
we were both considered poor and obscure.
/ know that night dreamed of Kate Chal-
lis; for the first time in my life a woman's
face and voice haunted me.
Christmas day was cold and snowy. l
went to church with Kate Challis and
John. Neither my lady or her guests dared
venture out in "such unreasonable wealth
er"
That day, during dinner, l heard that
my old house, Hylton Grange, was for sale.
resolved to purchase it, for vague sweet
dreams of wife and home began to steal
over me. placed the matter in the hands
of my solicitor, telling him to keep my
secret, and not let the purchasers name be-
come public.
Lynedale Hall was in grand commotion.
Her ladyship decided that the Christmas
ball should be given on the thirtieth, and
the whole place was in ferment of prepar-
alton.
Kate and spent many happy hours in
helping with the decorations, and twin
ing the scarlet-beried holly and shining
laurel with dark green fir. We grew very
friendly over it, and began to think that
such face as hers smiling in my home
would make it like heaven for me.
81 am so fond of dancing" said Kate to
me, one morning, 81 shall enjoy this ball
very much"
$50 shall I, if you will dance with me,
Kate" said "not without"
She half promised. Judge of my sur
prise, when, two hours afterwards, / met
her in tho grounds, her sweet face stained
with tears
"What is the matter, Kate" cried.
"You have been crying Tell me what it
is"
81 drew her arm in mine, and led her
through the shrubbery, where the snow lay
white upon the trees.
"What Is it ?' asked again. "Tell me
Kate"
81 ought to be ashamed of myself for
crying" she said; "but Lady Clara has de-
cided that am not to 60 to the ball."
"Why not ?'' asked.
"I have no dress" said Kate; "and with
SO many visitors at the Hall, Lady Clara
thinks there is no time to see about one."
"Where does Lady Clara's come from p
/ asked, quietly.
"From London" replied Kate. "Dress
es for my aunt and cousin were ordered
three days since"
"Buy dress Kate" suggested.
i al have no money" she said, simply
, with a smile. "My uncle buys everything
for me. He will not know want this un
y til it is too late"
9 "What thing it is TO want money"
y said. And Kate looked at me with sym
d pathetic CLEAN In her eyes.
t az do mot care very much" she said
. "but had promised to dance with you."
/, clasped the little hand that lay on m.
: arm, and Kate's sentence was never finished
That very moment went to my room
i and wrote letter to Madame Cerise, tn
Q Court milliner for excellence, and inclosinl
n a check for what know now 10 be a ride
d ulously extravagant amount, ordered fron
her magnificent ball dress, with every de
: tail complete. / described Hatcher size
y appearance-and left the rest to the well
u known taste of Madame Cerise.
u Kate's sunny temper never showed itsel
u so clearly as now. Although she believes
. there was no hope for her, she took just a
r' much interest in the ball, and never com
planned to her uncle.
10 The all-important day came round, Lad
Clara gave me very distinctly to understan
10 that the room in which slept was wanted
e but John privately begged of me to take n
8 notice. "Lady Clara was over-tired an
'. anxious" he said.
u 1t was soon afternoon when parcel wa
sent me by Miss Challis. opened it, an
is found most beautiful handkerchief en-
,r broidered with hair, and the sender implol
I, ed heruncle's old friend to accept the littl
nreeent