The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-08-02

room as the organdy was being assumed.
" Are you not dressed yet ?"
| "No, dear Anna did not finish the
dress until last night, and the lace had
to be sewed in to-day" said Julia, with
a slight frown.
| Let me help you"
Frank asked if you would come, "
said Julia, from feecy maze of white
muslin.
"Did hep" and an innocent flush suf-
fused Carries face moment, but it re.
turned to natural color as she cried
care you going to wear this lovely
bracelet You look like bride"
"Do II" Julia smiled into her mir
ror, we'll satisfied with the image re-
| hected. "Perhaps I may be-"
Carrie opened two gray eyes pretty
joined a gay troop of ladies and gentle
men on the lawn. The spot chosen for
the picnic was bit of meadow land and
grove on Mr.. Livingston's grounds,
but far enough from the house to be
quite rural. Carrie found herself in tho
midst of group OF elegantly dressed
ladies, and gentlemen in the immaculate
toilet of white duck but having once
made up her mind, she was not to be
disturbed, and entered into the enjoy
ment of the day without 80 much as a
backward glance at Dame Fashion. Mr..
Frank Walden was not slow in excusing
himself from beauty in gauzy muslin
and walking by her side.
| &c supposed you were in California,
studying seals and Chinese" said Carrie,
smelling approximately the rose he
offered her.
Didn't Julia tell you was here2"
Yes meant till then."
| have been, but found my mind
was too fully occupied to study the in
teresting subjects you name."
"Been and come back |" and Carrie
gave him a good look of mingled in
terest and surprise.
:" Yes; could not help it," said
Frank, returning the gaze.
"Why nota [ should so like to go ;
I'm sure I'd stay" said Carrie.
"Why not2" echoed Frank, with q
tone and look that caused Carrie to flush
and want to run away.
"Oh, is this the place, Mr.. Warden 2"
asked his former companion, adding, in a
lower voice: "You find that rural child
very attractive"
eyes, do. Allow me Miss Budd,
Miss Carrie Robbins"
The ladies bowed, and both exclaimed
at the beauty of the grove, while Carrie
paused in admiration of the smoothly
cut, firmly rolled croquet ground. All
the pleasure which she had anticipated
came to pass, and much more besides.
The grounds had been elaborately pre-
pared, and on one side the meadow pre-
sented smooth green carpet for dancers,
while the other side put in a plea for
flirting over croquet wickets The
lunch was served by servants, and the
gay party thought of nothing but enjoy
ment. Carrie was in the best of spirits,
and her merry laugh and bright talk
proved attractive to others than Frank
Warden, for Captain De Lancy gave her
many prolonged stare through his eye
glasses before he asked for an introduc-
ton. He seemed to be Julia's especial
attendant, and if anything can be judged
from face, she was we'll pleased that it
should be co..
Miss Livingston, would you intro
duce me to the lovely creature in blue
and white9"
"Whoa Miss Marstona You have
met her."
"Oh, no. The lady with her foot on
the ball. There, she Strikes
Julia followed his eyes, and saw Car
rie turn with laugh from a croquet
which had carried CONSERVATION to the
heart of her antagonist.
She's charming creature. Where
is she from 20
"She lives here," replied Julia, a lit
tie coldly, leading the way, and, the
game being over, making the requested
| introduction.
Most happy" said the captain,
bowing low.
Frank would not yield his place, the
result being that Carrie had two satel-
lities instead of one. In the rambles
about the grove, the games, and dane
ing, the thin musIins of the other ladies
suffered, and soon became rather un-
slightly draggled robes. Their lovely
hats were caught in bushes and torn !;
and if taken of, the delicate skin, I'M
used to exposure, suffered. But Car
rie's dress freshly maintained its own.
1t was short enough to be we'll out of the
way, stiff enough to resist briers, and at
the end of the day still looked cool and
clean, being q refreshing contrast to the
mussy toilets of the other ladies The
gentlemen appreciated that, Captain
DE Lancy saying:
Really, Miss Robbins, ought not
to take the liberty to admire your dress,
but it is charming"
Carrie smiled, and he continued
But it is the wearer that graces it. "
Carrie turned away, for he had been
paying like compliments all day, and she
was too honest to think them all
genuine.
Hear hear !" shouted gentleman,