The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-03-03

lit ANffl VIII WI US ~ - ~ tAA"fH
This feminine regard was heightened
by an appeal "a compassion. Edgar
barrel had met with "A sad misfortune
While still IN boyhood lie had lost by
one nights tragedy both his parents. A
ire, ~quicAened by a tempest, had ut
tackled his homestead and burned il TO
the ground. His mother, AN invalid.
persisted Ia the flames his father, drag
ged from the burning building in IA un-
conscious state, survived his wife but n
few DAYS. Their only heir inherited the
estate encountered with this lifelong
grief.
You surely will not be SO heartless
as 10 leave your sisters to-dayl' sand
Mrs. kingsland TO Fdelia, when the inn
port OF Madame Ricard's note reached
her. ''lour father, man-like. forgot all
that must be done 10 make your sisters
presentable 10 night. For once in your
life YOU can be of use. The Paris ball
dresses, only this morning arrived, re-
quire stitches and tact TO make them
fit"
Fidelia sighed in spirit, but, schooled
Ia self-sacritice, uncomplainingly re-
manned. Conscientionsly all day she
piled her needle and exercised her
taste. Her arrogant step-sisters did not
hesitate To WEAK upon her ut once de-
mands for her service and contempt for
her servile state.
IL was evening when, hooded and
cloaked, she flew from the door. All the
way 10 the hotel she encountered signs
of the coming event. The atmosphere
was i~mprcgnated with a sense Of cx-
pectancy. Groups Of gossips fingered
in the streets. The doors of the spacious
hall where the ball was TO take place
was guarded by liveried men, and stray
! Cling musicians sauntered across the
avenue and disappeared in adjacent
vaults.
The lovely june night had its air
scented with the perfume of roses,
syringas, and honeysuckles. The sky
was flushed with the rosy light of sun
set. Fidelia forgot her sorrows, and
began To affiliate herself with the Joyous
spirit that inspired the scene. b. the
time she had reached the hotel she was
kindled by sympathetic excitement into
the blooming beauty that only the
malignant depression of her unhappy
condition had kept paled.
Madame Ricard, whose apartments
were the grand rooms of the 1.-TWO
Isles" received her guest with the ut
most cordiality. A tete-d-tcte dinner
was served in luxurious style. and FL
della. who felt herself in happiness, en-
joyed the feast, from bouilii TO ice, and
entered freely into the chatting mood
Of her hostess. They spoke AT dessert
of the hero Of the night.
ale is a friend of mine,' said Mad
anne Ricard.
"How happy you must be 10 possess
such a friendir exclaimed Fidelia, with
sparkling eyes. ''IIe is a hero-a real
hero of the time in which we live.
Could there be an act more courageous
than his part in the victory of October
>? All, how | should like to look upon
his brave face But forget. | am a
vassal by Fate's special design. Why
should | dream of heroes?'
$50 on, my dear. with Your dream
ing, said Madame Ricard, with a friend
" little nod. "That is precisely the
use Of an occasional slavery, to make
one dream Of noble things. You are
quite free at this moment, however.
Would you like to go with me tonight
10 the ball?n
1t was well for the hospitable impulse
Of the little lady that this astounding
proposition was not made until after
they had dined. Fidelia turned pale
with ecstacy ut the very thought. To
60 to the ball, To see with her own
eyes the enchanting scenel To have a
veritable glimpse of the hero's brave
face, She answered after m Of
profound silence, and with a feminine
reservation that vailed the intensity Of
her assent, II should like 10 60, if |
had a white
"There is nothing so easily obtain
ed, p" said Madame Ricard, '.as a white
bodice and skirt" She babe her maid
hasten to the Office Of the hotel and or
der up stairs a trunk marked with a blue
rosette.
Out of this trunk came white gauze
skirts, which were made to envelop the
young girl in layers of grace, until the
effect of white was dense. yet ethereal,
Ike a lily. A bodice was found that
conformed easily TO the plant form.
Blue ribbons, the tint of forget-me -nots,
embellished the draperies; the couture,
with the exception Of a pale blue fillet.
was left in its natural 'falling grace
"Simple and CONNIE IL fan, and al
together as | wish,n said Madame Ri
card, when the toilet was complete.
They arrived late AT the ball, but not
irritated by haste; and Madame Ricard
was gratified tn find the excitement of
pleasure at its height. Fidelia was pre-
sented to the hero of the night, and at
his own request. He engaged her hand
for the next dance.
II the dance, according tn the theory
OF one OF our famed philosophers. was