The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-06-04
EARNET'S HUMILIATION.


Oh, mamma its those fashionable
Mays iust the best people in Washing
ton Jnnn, tell them I'll be down YER,
soon. What shall l wear, mamma
please tell me Quick? IF Cousin StelI,
wasn't 80 awfully stupid she might hav,
got my lavender silk ont by this time
or my lovely blue one with the point
lace trimmings. Pray tell me, some
body. what / shall wear"
Ihe silver gray you hsve on with 9
iTeSh rlbbon Will be prettier than an
elaborate dress. ] shouldn't think OF
making an evening toilet if I we're YOU,
even for The Mays, said Stella.
That's because you don't know any,
thing about them" responded Garnet.
What can such fashionable people
have IN coIOmon with you? Probably
y0u u never speak to them in your life. y
and she threw ribbons and necklace,
watch and chain recklessly on the mar.
hIe-tOp table n her haste; while her
mother, who had brought a costly, i'm
ported dress from the wardrobe, pro-
ceecled 20 arrav her only and beautiful
child IN it. For Garnet was beautiful
and had been brought up, as her father
often said, without regard to cost"
To please her, the old oil-merchant
had consented to spend the winter in
Washington ut one of the first hotels
and to incur no end of expense, for Gar
net WAS wild to see and mingIe with the
best society.
There also he had found his niece.
the daughter of his dead brother, i'll at
on ordinary boarding house, and in the
goodness of his heart had insisted upon
her leaving an arduOus position and
spending the winter with his family.
Feeling she need OF rest and relax
alton Stella had accepted the kind offer.
much to the spoiled Garnet's chagrin,
who saw only in the little plain figure
and somewhat old-fashioned garments a
dowdy and foil. In fact she was verv
much ashamed of her cousin and took
no pains TO hide her dislike.
"Ihev are very worthy people, / be-
lleve, Stella answered, with flush ON
her cheek.
Very worthy Good patience man.
ma, hear her-the very pink and perfec-
f1On of Washington society Very
worthy people, indeed Why, there
are persons wEO would give half they
are worth to be called upon bv the
Mays. DOyou really think they are very
worthy people, Stella? How much they
would be obliged if they could hear
you"
Her cOTsin settled quietly into her
corner 'gain with a book, but the flush
on bGr cheek had faded into paleness.
Now, mamma, how do | look? Oh,
but how awfully long TO keep them
waiting. They probably saw in the
papers that / have Just come out. I'll
wear both diamond rings, mamma.
Dear me, ! wish the interview was over.
They say that Miss Bella May wears an
india shawl of almost fabulous value
given TO her by some great eastern mag
nate, and that Miss Anne is to marry an
carl, an English earl think of that If
ever VIC go abroad IL will be of such ad-
vantage to be acquainted with her."
She swept once or twice back and
forth, her splendid train spreading in
peacock glory over the rich hu6s of the
carpet, then taking one last look in the
cheval mirror, and posing her head in
stE dEIntiest fashion, she walked out of
sh" room like a little princess, conscious
ui beiUg mt her best.
Isn't she dressed a little too much
for day call ?" asked Mrs. Westbury,
anXiOusly, as she saw the last iris glitter
of the rich silk vanish at the threshold.
think she is, " said EStelle, quietly.
- I'm afraid SO but what could | do?
Garnet has had her own way so long
that / never pretend to dispute her
wishes or her TASTE" sighed the meek
little wOmau-a sad confession for a
mother to make, as Estelle thought,
with "a pitying lock.
Pray, are the Mays so very wonder
full - asked Mrs Westbury.
believe they are of very good
family, and / know they are immensely
rich, said Estelle; "but what l have
lGeard them chiefly extoled for is their
indebtedness aud good sense. Though
they are really among the leaders of
society here they are as quiet and I'M
assuming as-wsll, as true nobility of
character always makes one, / suppose.
l am glad they have called upon Garnet.
1t may really be considered quite an
honor"
They must have seen her, and she
Is so pretty said the Rrstified mother.
" Yes, Garnet Is beautiful" replied
Estelle adding In her heart, eff only
the mind corresponded to the outer
shrine"
Meanwhile, Garnet, gratified and tri-
entered the handsome parlOr
OF the hotel. Here and there in groups
sat visitors, ladies and gentlemen, and
the youug girl was delighted at the
sensation caused by her appearance.
For one little moment Garnet was con-
fused as, going mp to small and we'll
dressed group of people, she said,
speaking to a lady y: "AIrs. May, l pre-
sumo"
90 no, that is Hrs. May by the win.
dow, responded the lady, pointing to
another circle with her fan.
Mercy, mamma" exclaimed Anne
Nav, as the over-drassed Garnet came
toward them, eve have evoked a rain
bowl!
Garnet, little taken aback at sight
of the plain toilets of this distin-
Euished party. sailed up to them with
her Erandest manner, and to cover her
surprise and trepidation plunged at
once into conversation. She scarce
waited for questions. but with the volu-
hIiIty of a schoolgirl lust released
from bondage talked and talked.
Before long these strangers, as we'll
rs others, whose cars were sharpened |
by hotel experience, knew the prin- |
cipal events of her life; what school |
she had attended how she hated Blank, |
her native city; what sort of house |
her father bad bought and furnished |
that part of her family were travelling |
nn the continent, and had sent her |
costly presents how much she, too, |
wanted to visit foreign countries and |
numberIess little incidents that kept |
her visitors staring and almost silent.
At last she paused and began the con-
Of her dress. Surely that |
most exquisite point lace must impress
hem favOrably and the diamonds on
ler fingers and in her eavs-noE many |
youug ladies could afford to wear them (; |
aud then The dress itself, how she ached |
% inform them that it was an importa- |
ion from Paris, and the work of the |
great artist, Worth. the prince of dress
makers.
Mamma " said Anne Nav, in a voice |
unlike the hiRh-pitched tone |
# MISS Garnet, would II not be as well |
n mentio1 the business for which we /
,aIet upon Mis- Westburv p
Garnet's ears tingled so that perhaps |
new splendor shot from their pendant |
ewels, for was this not prelude to an
invitation to their house, to some Ger
nan or grand reception, where she