The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1875-06-05
GARNET'S HUMILIATION.
By MRS. NJ. A. DENIsoN.

EARyEr's HUMILIATION.
By MRS. NJ. A. DENIsoN.
"Some callers for Miss westbnry, II
eaid the welitrained hotel servant, as
he presented cards on a silver salver.
"Oh. mammal its those fashionable
Mays; Just the best people in Washing
ton John, tell them I'll be down very
soon. What shall I wear, mamma.
please tell me quick? If Cousin Stella
wasn't so awfully st1pid she might have
got my lavender silk out by this time /;
or my lovely blue one with the point
lace trimmings. Pray tell me, some
body. what shall wear"
The silver gray you have on with q
fresh ribbon will he pfettier than an
elaborate dress. I shouldn't think of
making an evening toilet if I were Won.
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 common with you? Probably
you'll never speak to them in your life"
and che threw ribbons and necklace.
watch and chain recklessly on the mar
ble-top table N her haste while her
mother, who had brought a costly, i'm
ported dress from the wardrobe, pro-
oeeded to array 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 at one of the first hotels
and to incur no end of expense, for Gar
net was wild to see and mingle with the
best society.
There also he had found his niece.
the daughter of his dead brother, i'll at
an ordinary boarding housc, and in the
goodness of his heart had insisted upon
her leaving an arduous position and
spending the winter with his family.
feeling the need of rest and relax
atom 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 q
dovdy and foil. In fact che was very
much ashamed of her cousin and took
no pains to hide her dislike.
"They are very worthy people, I be-
IIeve, Stella answered, with flush on
her cheek.
Every worthyl Good patience mann
ma, hear her-the very pink and perfec-
ton of Washington society! Very
PcODlc, luucSu why. LQ6re
are persons who would give half they
are worth to be called upon by the
Mays. Doyou really think they are very
worthy people, Stella? How much they
would be obliged if they could hear
you"
Her cousin settled quietly into her.
corner again with book, but the flush
on her cheek had faded into palenese.
Now, mamma, how do lookf Oh
but how awfully long to keep them
waiting. They probably saw in the
papeis that have inst come out. I'll
wear both diamond rings, mamma.
Dear me, I wish the interview was over. |
They say that Miss Bella Nay 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
earl, an English earl think of that If |
ever we go abroad it 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 huts of the
carpet, then taking one last look in the
cheval mirror, and posing her head in
its daintiest fashion, she walked out of
the room like little princess, conscious
of being at her best.
"Isn't she dressed 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 1 never pretend to dispute her
wishes or her TASTE" sighed the meek
little woman-a sad confession for a
mother to make, as Estelle thought,
with a plying lock.
pray, are the Mays so very wonder
full " asked Mrs. Westbury.
"I believe they are of very good
family. and know they are immensely
rich, said Estelle "but what 1 have
heard them chiefly extoled for is their
indebtedness and good sense. Though
they are really among the leaders of
society here they are as quiet and un-
assuming as-well, as true nobility of
character always makes one, suppose.
! am glad they have called upon Garnet.
II may really be considered quite an
honor"
g They must have seen her, and she
is SO pretty said the gratified mother.
Yes, Garnet is beautiful, replied
Estelle adding in her heart, elf 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 young girl was delighted at the
sensation caused by her appearance.
For one little moment Garnet was con-
fused as, going up to q small and we'll
dressed group of people, she said,
speaking to lady: "Mrs. May, 1 pre-
sumo"
go no, that is Mrs. May by the win.
dow, responded the lady, pointing to
another circle with her fan.
Mercy, mamma" exclaimed Anne
May, as the over-dressed Garnet came
toward them, we have evoked a rain ,
bowl"
Garnet, little taken aback at sight
Of the plain toilets of this distin-
yuished party, sailed up to them with
her grandest manner, and to cover her
surprise and trepidation plunged at
,nce into conversation. She scarce ,
for questions. but with the volu-
nhty of a schoolgirl Just released
rom bondage talked and talked.
Before long these strangers, as well
IS others, whose ears were sharpened !
1y hotel experience, knew the prin- {
,ipaI events of her life; what school (
,be had attended how she hated Blank.
her native city what sort of a house
ler father had bought and furnished .
hat part of her family we're travelling
IN the continent, and had sent her
,ostly pre- ents; how much she, too.
gants to visit foreign countries and
iSmberless little incidents that kept
Ter visitors staring and almost silent.
At last she paused and began the con-
emplation of her dress. Surely that
most exquisite point lace must impress
hem favorably ; and the diamonds on
or fingers and IN her ears-not many {
Dung ladies' could afford to wear them;
nd then the dress itself, how she ached 9
, inform them that il was an importa- 1
ion from Paris, and the Work of the !