The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-09-27

to the table to make a note Of some
IsnOtty point, she found that her ink
stand was empty. This was the first
time since it had been freshly filled, di-
rectly after her migration, and Alma
brought forward the huge ink bottle
very carefully from its place in the
closet to supply the need. Sallie Brigh-
ton had a hearty laugh to herself over
the tender manner in which Alma
poured out the black fluid, then placed
the bottle upon the mantal-piece while
she made her notes. 1t was probably
the first time in her life that the young
authoress had accomplished the feat
without at least spilling few drops.
Now she turned in triumph to receive
Sallie's mock speech of cOngratulation.
Alma had a story to finish for n prom
nent magazine that day, also she had
some alterations to make in the trim
ming of a dress 10 be worn that evening
TO a social gathering given expressly in
honor OF her, by an aunt OF Charles.
Sallie remained, busted with some oc-
cupatiOns of her own, and II was agreed
that the girls should share Charles
services as escort that evening. Sallie
had had her party fixings sent over
from home, and as the appointed hour
drew near, the girls repaired to the adj
joining dressing-roOm to make their
toilets Both looked lovely in their
white muslins, when finally the inn
pOrtant task was at an end, only Alma
looked rather to pale and weary.
"Bathe your face with cologne" cried
Sallie; sit will refresh you. Your eyes
are altogether lustreless, my dear girl,
and your face is as wan rs that of a
ghost / declare il would distress Char
lie to death to see you so; he is always
fretting, you know, lest you may over
work yourself"
Alma mechanically turned to heed
the mandate. She had been strangely
fascinated by the story she had that af-
ternoon ompleted-having fashioned
out its glowing pictures, as it were, from
her very soul. Ever since she had been
living in fancy amidst the dream-forms
she had evoked from the realm of her
imagination, and for the last hour, in
especial. she had been dwelling upon
certain scenes that she had failed TO
portray to her perfect satisfaction.
1t is favorite remedy of Almas for
weariness to battle the temples and
brow with cologne-water-sh always
/ finds ii viyifying and refreshing. she
is many times troubled with weakness
of the throat and chest Tor when her
physician has prescribed bathing IN al
cohol or some other stimulant, COM
bined with much friction. Very fire.
ouentlv, even for this, she has recourse
to her favorite cologne. Upon the pres
ent occasion, as she moved 10 the closet
for her bottle, she saw, through the
open communicating door, a little bot
tie of its size and description upon her
s03ctunl mantle-piece, and presumed
that she had left il there the evening
previous.
Absently reproaching herself in
thought for her carelessness, she en-
tered the room, took the bottle in her
hand, and moistening her sponge very
carefully, lest 4 drop might desecrate
her new carpet or still newer dress, she
began to rub away, the amount of fric-
tiOn used naturally corresponding with
the earnestness of her thoughts. She
bathed the aching brow and temples,
passed the sponge over the closed eye
lids-even moistened her cheeks and
the sides of her neck-as far, that is, as
she dare go without endangering her
dress.
By and by n dim consciousness of q
lack of strength in her cologne-water
began to dawn upon her mind. In a
vague way she thought she must OBJ
tain fresh supply. Suddenly she was
fully aroused by q shrek from the adj
joining room. Turning, she beheld
Sallie leaning against the eommunicat-
ing door, convulsed with Slaughter.
Then, instinctively, she glanced at her
sponge; il was as black as her shoe. At
once she cOmprehended the situation.
She had been bathing her face in waters
of literary hue; she had mistaken the
ink bottle left upon the mantle-piece
during the day for her precious cologne
water.
The whole thing was so perfectly alb
surd, so eXtravagantly ludicrOus, that,
forgetful of all precautionary measures
against the ruin of her dress, Alma
Joined in her friends merriment, and
laughed until the tears ran down her
cheek, making all manner of fancy riv-
ulets and canals in the ink-bedewed
face. She laughed until she fell over
on the.floor, and many minutes elapsed
before either she or Sallie recovered
their presence of mind sufficiently TO
begin to think of what must be done to
remove the literary dye. Just as they
were beginning TO do so, step was heard
upon the stairs.
"Ah! that is AIargaretw cried Sallie,
thinking that this must be the maid,
who had promised to come up and put
some finishing touches to the young
ladies' toilets. "I'll dispatch her forth
with for warm water; and, if you will
keep still, Alma, no damage will be
done" Then came a knock at the sane
fgH3 door, and to Sallie's "Come imp
there appeared upon the threshold OF
the opening door the commanding fig
ure of the young hero, Charlie. Alma
gave a scream and started to run, but
Sallie detained her by forcibly grasping
her arm.
"No, no. cried she; ''this is too re-
freshing to be lost. Charlie will never
forgive me if | don't let him see you as
YOU now are. Only fancy, brother she
continued, turning to Charlie, "Oul
Alma has been reading Spielhagen':
Through Night to Light and has un-
dertaken to convince me that when the
poetess Primula mistOOk the ink-stanC
/ for the sand-boX, she need not have
ruined her yellow silk dress had she
been a little more careful. In proof o.
1 this, our young prodigy has bathed hel
l face with ink, as you see, instead o.
/ colOgne-water, without so much as spill
/ ing drop upon her dress. Imissed hel
after our conversation about Primula
and when | come to see what kept hel
quiet so long, found her in her present
plight
Alma, who had been ready to sinh
/ through the floor with vexatiOn at be
/ ing thus caught by Charlie, now laughed
i'm spite of herself As for Charlie, h,
made the room fairly ring with his peali
of unrestraiued merriment.
"Come, Charlie, cried Sallie, as sooT
as she could command words once more
take your last look at this lovely sable
striped mask. Alma has so skillfully