Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-01-27

closet, and practically take down hoop
skirt, which he solemnly put on
Jupiter how comical it feels" he
calculated, with an amused face; why,
| should not dare to 90 within yard of
a vase or statuette, and I'm quite certain
l should swamp all the chairs and tables
| came near. Bother this trailing mus
lin--always in the way"
For Mr. Ross had unthinkingly plunged
his masculine boot through the delicate
fabric of the dress.
I'm not certain but that | should
make quite nice locking woman"
mused Kenneth, struttiag backward and
forward before the mirror, with his Derby
hat balanced daintily, and the blue mus
lin revealing about foot and half of
calf-skin boot and trousers. "0n the
whole Tomb of the prophet Is that
the girls?"
Mr.. Ross gave blindly desperate jerk
at his sacque, 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 con-
templated rush through the hall to his
own door, but a moments reflection con-
vinced him that such retreat would be
simply impossible.
/ must stay and face it out" he
thought with cold perspiration break
ing out ON his forehead but hold on,
I there's the closet. It's just possible
they will only stay here minute or
two"
And Mr.. Kenneth Ross, totally obli-
vious Of the majesty of man, fed precip-
itately into the closet, tumbling over his
crinoline and muslin in a most disas-
trous manner, and hopelessly splitting
open the seams of poor Alice's sacque.
| Why the deuce didn't / think 70 Sc
cure the key2" he thought, as the girls
streamed into the room. However, ]
can hold tight on to the door handle if
any one attempts to get in. If-by
Jove-the girls should see me in this
rig, should never hear the last of it.
| don't see, either, why I'm obliged to
play the eaves-dropper against my will.
He leaned up against the shelves and
breathlessly awaited the progress of
events.
why" calculated soft voice -
Rosa's own, where's my Derby2 Was
l careless enough to leave it down
stairs2 Flora you have hidden it.
wonder what you'll accuse me of
next, said Flora, in an injured voice.
You told Mr.. Ross that Cousin ST.
mons letter was Toto"
Your sweetheart. Well, he ought to
| be, I'm sure Mr.. Simon Montrose is
the handsomest young man know.
Oh, Flora, he don't compare with
Mr.. Ross.
Rosa Fernall, be honest" said Flora,
speaking indistinctly, with two or three
hair pins in her cherry mouth, which
do you like the best, cousin Ken. or ST.
mon Montrose?"
Flora
"Tell me, now, honestly"
The answer came in low, half in
audible voice
Kenneth!
The heart under Alice's saeque gave E
great Joyous leap.
Mr.. Kenneth Ross head came in con-
tact with something on the upper shelf
and down came rain Of band-bexes on
his occupant.
There was an instant terrified silence,
and then all the girls began to scream in
chorus.
Mercy" calculated Alice, what is
"How silly we all arer' said Rosa,
tremulously; " it is only the cat.
"As if a cat could make such a noise as
that, sobbed Flora. Call Uncle John
bring a revolver! Ahce do look and
see what it is. :"
No, you look" faltered Alice, re-
treating behind the bureau.
"Tll look myself" said Rosa Fernall,
bravely advancing to the rescue.
But when the door handle refused to
turn even she blanched.
Some one is holding the door inside
Call the men,"
" There is no necessity" quoth voice
from behind the pannels.
And the next moment the closed door
flew open, and crinoline, and q counte-
nance whose utter sheepshness can
never be described was disclosed to their
view.
Cousin Ken" shrieked Flora.
" Mr.. Ross" faltered Miss Fernall.
why, it can't be possible" calculated
Alice.
And then the three girls clung to each
other in paroxysms of laughter.
"The fact is, ladies" commen ced Ken
meth, confusedly, "I-won't some one :
help me off with this mouse-trap of
hoop-skirt? Miss Alice, I'm very sorry
I've split your sscque open, but-well, if
you don't stop laughing ! cant explain;
that's the long and the short of it. F"
But Rosa Fernall had stopped laugh :
ing already, and the pink Of her cheeks =
was deepening into scarlet.
She had just remembered the words
carelessly spoken in that very room not
FIVE minutes ago.
In an inexplicably short space Of time L
Mr.. Ross had torn of his feminine adorn- l
ment and fed ignominiously, followed by
the peals Of laughter of his cousin and
Alice Aymer. 7
Rosa-strange little piece of contra
began to cry.
Poor little thing, she's hysterical," "
said Aunt Meg, who had just appeared L
on the scene. a
But Rosa Fernall was not hysterical.
The full delicious moon Of q summer 3
vas in the mid heaven that night, as :
Kenneth Ross strolled into the garden is
nOodily putting at cigar, and contem- p
plating the feasibility Of leaving quiet z
Narburgh to avoid the girls sarcasm. :
I" was a fool" quoth Kenneth aloud,
hut-whos theref'
Il was Rosa, With two or three white i
,lover pinks in her hand. coming from .
he lower part Of the garden. =,
A D
Kenneth saw the traces Of tears on her NJ
heck. a
Rosa, yOl have been crying"
No / haEentr
And to prove the truth Of her asssr- i.
- D.rr hrw.~. - - H