The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-03-30
A PHANTOM PARTY.

But how in the world are we to fix
the sheets?'
ooh that is easy enough managed.
Just get me one and l will show yon in
five minutes" Miss Janet answered.
and as her friend left the room she called
after her, Bring me a needle, some
thread and a thimble too"
Evidently my presence had been quite
forgotten, and l, too, had forgotten the .
presence OF my companions. Standing .
IN the bow-window, with that beautiful |
range of mountains Just before me, and |
with the heavy red curtains shutting me |
IN from the parlOr and the two young |
ladies, no wonder l had thoughts but for /
the Blue Ridge, with noble Pisgah tow
ering high above it's fellow-mounts, and !
all bathed in a beautiful sunset-light, for
even IN January our mountain sunsets
are often rare and rich in coloring. But
these last words and the exit of Miss
Hastings recalled me from my own
dreams, and l hastily pushed aside the
curtains and took a seat beside Miss
Janet.
- 1t is the Phantom Party we are
speaking of Mr.. Wallace" she said "Of
course you are going%'
have not quite decided. Do YOU
want me to 60, Miss Janet ~ | asked,
looking straight into her bright brown
eyes.
"Of course I do" she replied, a soft
color rising to her cheeks, " and promise
you a charming evening. We all wear
masks, you know, and the disguise is per-
feet; indeed, it is often difficult to dis
tinguish lady from a gentleman"
In that case may have some amuse-
ment, and pay off an old score at the
same time" l said, sudden fancy en-
tering my mind. Miss Janet, tell me
truly, do you object to my playing you
on Thursday night ?''
She looked at me in surprise
"What do you mean %
Comfy" | answered, " that if YOU will
allow me after the dancing has COM
menced to try to act and talk like you
for a while, ] will be much Obliged. I
have friend with whom / want to be
quits; he mas several times PLAYED off
practical Jokes at my expense, and if you
will permit me to persOnate Miss Janet
Gordon, l am sure | can pay him back,
and there's no telling how many soft
speeches he may pour into my ear, to say
nothing Of"
Hush, she interrupted with a smile;
q do you rot see one might infer from
your words that Miss Janet herself will
ingly listens TO such speeches? Perhaps
you are more truthful than compliment
Perhaps So" said smiling back into
the mischievOus eyes; but the truth is,
Mr.. Wright"
80 it is Mr.. Wright you mean" she
interposed.
Indeed it is, and 1 think you guessed
it from the first. But really, may l de
ceive him if l cam"
You have my consent" she said
gaily. owe him a grudge or two my
self, and if you can in any way initiate
me-but stop! Here is this ring OF
mine which everybody knows. Do YOU
think you can get it on?'
It was a quantity fashioned ring, some
old family relic, and large for Miss
Janet so, fortunately, by dint of some
squeezing, l managed to get it on.
" But are not our hands to be GOV.
cred ?"
stockings on their hands, 30 there is nc
distinguishing them. By-the-by, it i.
very well that you can wear the ring, a,
without it, unless you can copy my man
ner exactly, l fear you would have littl,
effect upon him."
a will do my best to resemble Mis-.
Janet" / said this in tones so like my
companions that she started up one mo
ment in amazement, and the next sa
down again with a merry laugh.
Why, Mr.. Wallace, ! had no ide
YOU were such mimic. Do that again
please"
"This is better any day than lookingiI
the glass" she said merrily. Do tel
me how"
But here the door opened, and Mis-
Hastings entered.
q am so sorry to have kept you wait
ing, Janet, but was detained. / hop
YOU md Mr.. Wallace will excuse the de
lay"
arranged the sheet that it formed an al
aost perfect drapery, and Miss Tasting
putting il on and adding a pillow-case
ninned around her head, over the lon,
white mask, was so completely disguised
that | am sure she would not have beer
recognized by any of her friends. Mis-
Janet then made me put on the sam,
things. and standing before the lOnj
mirror, l wondered if it were 1 myself
or some tall young lady, stepped int
my boots -,
Miss Hastings said, as at length Mis-
Janet and | rose to take our leave, "anC
we must thank you for it, Miss Janet
:. Indeed we must / added ''bu
Miss Janet ought to be grateful enough
ia our climate TO brighten up our LITTLE
tswn with some of the novelties she hs
taken part in, before she left her home
in the capital of the United States"
Grateful does not express my feeling
for Asheyille," she said warmly. " In
deed. no word can express it. WheI
one has well-nigh placed a foot in tn,
grave, they are more than grateful to thu
place and climate which enables them t
take a fresh hold on life. And thOs
glorious peaks" she continued as We
left the house, and for a moment turned
our faces to the west, " can anything
surpass them? Give me western Nortl
Carolina before any other country fo