Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-15

Invited Della With whom she had become
accidsntly acquainted while calling at the
house OF mutual friend. Mrs. Brown
was bewailing the lack of party tinery
possessed by her favorite daughter
You surely are not thinking OF going
TO the party. Della" cried Eleanor, ''in
our circumstances it is ridiculous. You
can never return such tavors. have no
suitable dress, and are barely acquainted
with Mrs. Perry"
''Indeed shall CO." cried Della.
"Would you deny your young sister a
harmless pleasure, Eieanor?' asked Mrs.
Brown, in a severe tone.
III would deny her the pleasure of al
tending parties in our circumstances re-
piled Eleanor, firmly. "She has no white
slippers or flowers. or party tinery, and If
she goes to Mrs. Perry's, she will want to
60 to the next party to which she is invited,
and them" added Eleanor. CHANGING at her
deep mourning at is but nine months
since father" 80, Eleanor groaned
her mother, show heartless in you to re-
mind me OF my great loss. You don APP
pear to see that Della must not bury her
self in this cottage if she is to hope for
better things. This is her first chance.
and if she does not seize it, she may new
er have another"
Very well, responded Eleanor. weary
of the argument, 81 suppose she will Tx
over that tarlatan in the big trunk, and
put black bows on it," Nothing more
was said about the matter. But on the
night of the party Eleanor was detained
at The store and the pleasant May even
ing was merging into night when she en-
tered the cottage.
at is after eight o'clock, Elie,'
cried little Daisy, "andiyou supper is in
the oven. o. Della is looking lovely.
She's all in white with sprays of black
flowers, and black tan with white feath-
ers, and black slippers with white ro-
settes."
Eleanor smiled and sat down at the
table. The servant brought in her sup
per, and after eating little, the tired girl
went up stairs to see her sisters dress.
.'She must have done well with the old
fnery," Eleanor thought, as she neared the
room. But when she opened the door,
and saw Della all dressed, standing in front
OF the bureau, while her mother was fas-
tening more securely heavy black gros
grain sash, she started with establishment
Where did you get those things p'
Now don't fuss, Nora" said Della,
rather sharply, "they didn't come out OF
your pocket
"But where did you get them P" repeat
ed Nora.
al bought Them" said Mrs Brown
Eleanor, we must keep up appearances.
l couldn't let Della go to the party in that
crushed, torn tarlatan which you Suggest
ed"
"But surely she did not need a fan, new
sash, new slippers, new flowers" cried
Eleanor
''She needed everything new" said
Mrs. Brown. This evening may make
her fortune. No one knows that YOU are
book keeper in Heuderson's, and there
will be all the fashion and wealth OF the
town at Mrs. Perry's"
Further conversation was interrupted
by the sound of carriage wheels, and
Daisy's announcement that MIR and Mrs.
Hoxie had come for Della to take her to
take her to the party"
Eleanor watched her sister enter The car
riage OF her friend, and then turned TO her
mother.
show much did all this cost, mother"
she asked, in grave tone.
"Only twenty-three dollars" faltered
Mrs. Brown, "the flowers were quite
expen--"
'.Never mind, only wanted to know
the amount, not the items, said Eleanor,
YEARLY, and she went to her room. Pres
eHly she came again into the parlor, and
approached her mother.
You went in debt for the things, of
course, mother"
"Why-yes-I-I-hope to save enough"
There is bill OF twenty dollars" in
terupted Eleanor in her quiet tone. at is
all have, bnt | cannot let you remain in |
debt. You know give you my twelve
dollars every Saturday night. earned
this by copying for "a lawyer at night lie |
has an office next to Mr.. Henderson's. | |
had put it by toward getting my summer
dresses. and Daisy's.
Mrs. Brown took the bill, and sighed. |
You know we must keep up appearances,
and poor, dear Della has no pl easures
whatever"
"Have any pleasures ?" asked Eleanor |
IL work hard from eight o'clock in the
morning until seven al night. But never
mind. l ought not to speak of it," and
she left the rooom.
Della could speak of nothing but the
ball the next day at breakfast She even |
rose in time for the bell, so anxious was
was she to tell of her pleasures OF the
previous night.
m To