The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-11-26
THE SURPRISE PARTY.
-. ny T. q. ARTHUR.

Mr.. and Mrs AthertOn, and their two
daughters, Helen and Alice, were sitting
one evening in January enjoying new
book, which one of the latter was read
ing aloud, when ring was heard. The
reader paused, and, for few moments,
they remained listening and expectant
A servant went to the door.
"Are the ladies at home ?" was heard
asked, in mans voice.
Then movement, as of two or three
persons entering, was noticed.
81 wonder who they are!" said Alice.
q "Some one has gone up stairs" re-
marked Mrs. Atherton, who had been
listening. "You'd better goa and see who
it Is, Helen"
The daughter was about rising to do as
her mother had suggested, when one of
the parlor doors opened, and young
gentleman, dressed with great care, pre-
sented himself.
q "Mr. A.! How are you this even
ing? Pm very happy to see you'll" said
Mr.. Atherton, advancing to meet the
young man and welcoming him cor
daily.
The Others greeted him in return, and
he then took a seat among them.
I'm sure some persons went up
stairs" said Mrs. Atherthon, speaking
aside to Helen.
"True. / heard them plainly" replied
Helen, and she retired from the,room.
i. As she came to the foot of the stairway
in the passage, she was little surprised
to find light in the room which opened
from the first landing, and to perceive,
through the halfopened door, the figures
!. of two or three persons moving within.
She went up quickly and entered. Three
young girls, intimate acquaintances
were there, all tastefully dressed, and
displaying profusion of ornament.
"Why, Anna! l. Jane! - Cerdelia I"
fell from the lips of Helen, as she took a
hand ofeach in succession, and exchanged
salutations.
Then there came a pause. Helen's
= countenance assumed q quick, thought
full air, while her young visitors were full
of life, and every nerve quiyering in an
ticipated pleasure.
"Walk down into the parlors," said
, Helen. Father, and mother, and sister
are there
As. they were leaving the room, Helen's
: eyes rested upon the lamp that burned
upon table. Ii was small, fancy, gilt
anu DCNtf DtiOlt OtCu Ettll NV
her. She noted the fact, but her mind
was too much excited at the moment to
reflect upon 20 singular a circumstance.
The appearance of the three rather
elaborately dressed young ladies, AS an
addition to the family below, very natu-
rally created some surprise, and dis
turbed the mental equilibrium of those
in the parlOr
But the Athertons were well-bred peo-
pie, and not easily thrown off their guard
by anything mat dpropos The social
circle widened with graceful ease, and
: the unexpected visitors of the evening
were quickly made at home.
~ In about quarter of an hour, the bell
rang again, when two more elegantly
dressed young ladies, with male at
tendant, appeared. They were also in
innate acquaintances, and joined the
b, company in the parlor in that familiar,
2 sof course" kind of way, that mysti-
fed the Athertons, who, by this time,
, began to fear that some misuDderstand-
ing had taken place, likely to produce
unpleasant and mortifying results. But,
~ a M before said, they were well-bred pco.
pie, and manifested no signs of discom.
fiture or surprise. -
A stb1rd addftiOn OF this kind caused
!. Alice and Helen to retreat to their cham.
Der, in order to give some little attention
! TO their toilet; and Mrs. Atherton fol-
) lowed their example
While this was going on, the bell con
tinued to ring and company to arrive
every few minutes and by the time they
descended again to the parlors, party
Of between twenty and thirty had as
sembled there, most of them particular
acguaintanccs, and all perfectly at home
Additional lights were now ordered, and
things made TO correspond as perfectly
M possible with the suddenly changed
order Of affairs, and with little apparen,
hurry and no apologies
A family council, composed cf Mr.
and Mrs. Atherton, and Helen, was now
called, in order 10 fix upon some con
. certed action in 30 strange an emergency
. What does IL mean," asked Mrs
= Atherton, In whisper, as soon as they
were alone. ..,,'
There IL some mistake" remarked
Mr.. Atherton, gravely.
"a very strange kind of a mistake,
said Mrs. Atherton. "We've sent out n,
invitations to party"