The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1873-01-25

for o week, that he has looked pale and care
worn, and has said but little. asked him
yesterday, if he we're not well, and he said
there We're anxieties preying upon his mind"
"Was that the reason you didn't want
new ball dress ?" asked Lena.
"Yes. Id rather wear an old one than
place papa to the expense Of new one
now, while money is SO hard to raise" replied
Bertha.
Really, Miss Bertha, you are becoming
quite learned in financial affairs. should
think papa would give you the position Of
private counselor in his counting room.
With your wise brain to aid him, he might
sail through seas Of trouble, dry-shod," said
Lena, with sarcasm.
"Pray inform US how you came to know
50 much about monetary affairs, my daugh-
ter, said Mrs. Gregory.
q heard papa and Mr. Ainsley talking
about business when he was here the other
evening, and he said it was almost an i'm
possibility to get any money at all now,"
said Bertha.
"Well, you are q little goosey if you
will so to the grandest ball of the season in
an old, made.over ball dress, and be ridi-
culed by all the ehtc, you can do so. A
few hundred dollars cannot make much diff.
ference any way. And when you see the
victory, which may, perhaps, be won over a
certain attractive gentleman Of our acqaint-
ance, by your elder sisters more stylish
toilette you will regret your decision III
favor OF Madame Noah's antedeluyian cos
tune said Lena. sneeringly.
"I'm perfectly indifferent to the praise or
contempt Of the fashionable world, for there
is neither heart nor sincerity in it. And
concerning the gentleman Of whom you SO
strangely hint, il his heart is only suscepti.
bio to the influence Of costly apparel, he can
pay court to it as long as he wishes, without
once exciting my jealousy, as 1 want no
dry-goods worshiper for my future leige
lord. So, ma chere sister, yor have the
field open and free to yourself.
March on march on, .ye brave, to VIC
tory Or deathv" sung Bertha, jubilanily,
waving her handkerchief at Lena, who was
picking up her money from the table, whore
her father had laid it, and humming gay
opera air
Bertha, what dress have you to wear
You haven't any that you've not already
worn two or three times, at least; and
want my daughters to make as elegant mn
appearance as any of their acquaintance OH
this OCCASION" said Mrs. Gregory. 9'e
AS Mrs. Gregory was particular friend
Of Mrs. Iangdon, she felt in duty bound to
honor, as much as possible the advent Of
her daughters to the fashionable world, and
the attire Of her own daughters on this oc-
casion was an all-important consideration.
I'm going to have Madame leicester to
make over my blue, gros grain silk, and you
know she is noted genius for renewing
worn ball dresses; but II, after it is done,
it looks antedivian, and smells musty, I'll
do penance by staying ut home, said Bertha.
"Do just as you prefer; but think your
father would give you new one il you
wished il" said her mother,
Lena purchased the new dress, and had
il made up without regard to expense, and
it was exquisite when done, and extremely
becoming to the young lady, who had been
congratulating herself on the success she
was determined to achieve.
Berthas dress came from the mantua
makers hands as beautiful as it could be,
and none would have suspected it had been
already thrice worn, unless she had been
seen with it on. It harmonized admirably
with her fuirt blonde complexion, forming
vivid contrast TO Lena's more brilliant style
Of personal attractiveness, and bright or
ange-colored robe. ,
A day previous to the ball, Clara Ainsley
called, sister Of Hugh Ainsley, who was
the fixed, central star, around whom the
feminine luminaries had ambitiousIy bearDed
for the last two seasons, each fondly hoping
to be the finally favored one.
But to the secret chagrin of each, he still
maintained the same quiet, courteous man
ner towards them all. He seemed quite as
Indifferent to their heart affairs as he would
have been to pyramids Of Egypt. This was
the gentleman Lena was bending all her en-
ergies TO ensnare and bring to her feet, be-
fore the present season closed. 60,
Clara was an intimate friend Of both the
girls, and she was invited upstairs to see
the dresses, which had just been sent home.
Their beauty she warmly expatiated on,
but Lena would not allow her to leave until
she had told her Of Bertha's wonderful fit
OF economy. and laughingy said that she
should certainly take her opera glasses with
l. H. h.il thaf aha MIGHT dasart roma