The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-01-08

I
Lotto had been crying all the
morning, but now her eyes gIittered.
A new brightness came into her face as
she hurried hither and thither, putting
up her husbands things. And after the
messenger had gone, she looked down
at the fifty dollar bill in her hand.
"Eight or ten days." she repeated to
herself. "I'll go to the ball, after all
with Helen and her husband. I'll take
this money and buy the moire antique.
Grant will wait on me for the other
thirty-fve, I am sure; and as for the
painter, just as likely as not he's in no
hurry for his money, and if he is, I'll
write to Uncle Jesse to lend me fifty
dollars. I was always Uncle Jesse IA
vorite niece"
And this eager young woman threw
on her bonnet and shawl, and hurried
down to Grants to buy the remnant of
lilac moire antique.
"Oh, certainly! certainly! Mr..
Grant was in no hurry at all for the
money. He would wait Mrs. Mellen's
convenience any length of time she
chose to mention"
And he unfolded the rich fabric, skill
fully holding it up SO, that the light
should strike it's rosy sheen to the best
possible advantage.
How beautiful it was Amethysts
shot with glimmering lines of silver
buds of spring violets in the sunshine
midsummer sunsets Lottie thought
of all these. beautiful things as she
looked at it.
"Pray send it home at once" she
said, laying down her fifty dollar bill,
land credit this on my account"
And then she tripped around to the
dressmaker's.
Mrs. Parkerson was at the dress
maker's-a plump, rosy, widow, with
more money than she knew how to
spend. She had always liked young
Mrs. Mellen, and now entered with
alacrity into her plans.
ga nice place to go, my DEAR" said
she. "Once let yourself be seen at one
Of Mrs. Benedict's parties, and your
position in society is settled at once. I
have cards myself !; but, of course, SO
soon after my poor brothers. death I
could'nt go out. And you're to go in
lilac MORE antique, eh, my dear? I'll
tell you what want you to look nice,
and I'll lend you my diamonds p
Lottie's cheeks flushed exultantly as
she thought Of Mrs. Parkerson's dia-
mond necklace, with It's glittering pend
ant, and the bracelets studded with
gems, to say nothing of the great soli-
taires, like drops of dew that hung from
her earrings.
'sOh, Mrs. Parkerson /" she ex-
claimed breath lessly, "how can ever
thank you."
:" Look as pretty as you can. my
DEAR" said Mrs. Parkerson, good ma
turedly. That's the way to thank
me r.
Miss Mousley, the dressmaker, and
Mrs. Mellen were in deep consultation
as to whether the front of the dress
should be cut la Pompadour, or with
corsage, the next day, when the latter
was summoned down stairs. There
stood Mr.. Pepper, the painter, in the
hall.
Begging your pardon, ma'am, for
interrupting you," said he, humbly |
dofiing his cap; but Mr.. Mellen told
me you would let me have the money
on my little ACCOUNT
Iottie crimsoned.
81 am very sorry, Mr.. Pepper" said
she, nervously; " but you must call
again next month r.
Mr.. Mellen said you'd pay me with
out delay, ma'am."
81 cant help what Mr.. Mellen said,
exclaimed Lottie. 81 haven't the
money. That's enough r
But ma'am, was assured I should
have it without any mistake. need it
na'am, to send my sick wife out west
Is her mothers. and =
ct have no time to stand here talking
my longer" said Lottie, mortified,
ashamed, yet still endeayoring to pur
suade herself that the man had
40 business to be SO persistent. II
will let you have the sum as soon as
In the meantime you must
wait T.
Pepper went away with sad face,
shich haunted Mrs. Mellen for many
Law, and Lottie returned to the dress
making operations
The lilac moire antique was made and
tilted superbIy. Sister Helen, who had
,ichhusband, lent the point lace founces
md scarf and Mrs. Parkarson's man.
ervant brought around the satin casket
Il diamonds early in the afternoon
ma Lottie MelIen went to Mrs. Bene-
lict's ball, in the same carriage with her
lister and sisters husband.
q For once, am equal 10 any mil
ionaire's wife on tue avenue, " thought
Iottie, with thrill OF triumph at her
leart.
Her entrance made sensation. She
vas quite aware Of that as she swept
trough the brilliantly lighted rooms
nd iEwasno small wonder. for shs wasa as
,eautifuI as vision, with her golden
air, deep blue eyes and queenly height,
Thile the lilac MORE antique and dia-