The Osceola times., 1876-03-25
A PHANTOM PARTY.

"But how in the world are VIC to fix
the sheets?"
"Oh that Is easy enough managed.
Just get me one and | 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 thimble, too"
Evidently my presence had been quite
forgotten, and !, 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 / had thoughts but for
the Blue Ridge, with noble Pisgah tow
ering high above its ow-mounts, and
all bathed In 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 seat beside Miss
Janet.
IL Is the Phantom Party we are
speaking Of, Mr.. Wallace" she said "ol
course you arc g0ing?"
have not quite decided. Do YOU
want me to 60, Miss Janet ?" I asked,
looking straight into her bright brown
eyes.
"Of course do" she replied, a soft
color rising to her cheeks, "and promise
you a charming evening. We all weal
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 rome amuse
ment, and pay off an old score at the
same time" said, sudden fancy en-.
tering my mind. miss Janet. tell me
truly, do you object to my playing you
on Thursday nightg"
She looked at me in surprise.
What do you mean ?"
Only" | answered, "that if Won will
allow me after the dancing has com
menced to try to act and talk like you
for while, ! will be much obliged. |
have friend with whom | want to be
quits; he mas several times PLAYED Off
practical Jokes at my expense, and il YOU
Will permit me to personate Miss Janet
Gordon, ! am sure ] can pay him back,
and there's no telling how many soft
speeches he may pour into my car, to say
nothing Of"
" Hush" she interrupted with a smile.
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 complimen.
tary."
Perhaps 80" Isaid, smiling back into
the m,schievous eyes; "but the truth is,
Mr.. Wright"
so it Is Mr.. Wright you mcan,' she
interposed. ''
Indeed it is, and think you guessed
it from the first. But really, may de-
c,ive him il I cang'
:, lou nave my consent" she said
gaily. !" owe him grudgc or two INV.
self, and IL you can in any way initiate
me-but stop! Here is this ring of
mine which everybody knows. Do YOU
think you can get il on:'
II was a quantity fashioned ring. some
old family relic, and large for Miss
Janet; 80, fortunately, by dint of some
squeezing, ! managed to get il on.
hut are not our hands to he GOV.
cred?'
"Of course, but every one wears
stockings on their hands so there is no
distinguishing them. Blythe by, il is
very well that you can wear the RING as
without It, unless you can copy my man
ner exactly, ! fear you would have little
effect upon him."
81 will do my hest to resemble Miss
Janet" said this in tones so like INV
companions that she started up one mo.
ment in amazement, and the next sat
down again with merry laugh.
why, Mr.. Wallace, had no idea
you were such mimic. DO that again.
please"
"fhis is better any day than lookingi in
the glass" she said merrily. "Do tell
me how"
But here the door opened, and Miss
Hastings entered.
" ! am 20 sorry TO have kept you wait
ing. Janet, but was detained. I hone
you and Mr.. Wallace will excuse the de-
lhy."
In few moments Miss Janet had 80
arranged the sheet that it formed an al
most perfect drapery, and Miss Hastings
putting it on and adding a pillow-case,
pinned around her head, over the long
white mask, was no completely disguised,
that am sure she would not have been
recognized by any of her friends Miss
Janet then made me put on the same
things, and standing before the long
mirror, ! wondered II it were ! myself,
or some tall young lady, stepped into
ny boots.
"This is something new for Asheville,"
din Hasting said, ss at length Mis-
Tanst ard l roae TO take our leave, "and
y - thsnk yoa lbs Il, Min Janet"