Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-08-16

Eyes, l think it is rather handsome,'
said Mrs. Harrington. complacently. II
ordered it to be imported myself. See, it
shines like a sheet of gold in the gaslight."
"Who is it for?' M e,a
"You, to be sure, child-for Oriana
Sykes's wedding reception"
Maude shook her head demurely.
"Why, Maude, what will you wear?
You must have a new silk"
Maude caught her fathers eye fixed ear
nestly upon her. In an instant her resolu-
ton was taken.
Il shall wear calico, Aunt Eloise."
"Calico! To Mrs. Sykes wedding re-
c~eption?"
"Why not, aunt?" a.
"You dare not thus defy society"
"Dare l not?" That was all Maude
said. The year of ordeal was up that
night, and she had stood bravely to. her
| colors. y,l it
MI. Bryant did not often attend parties,
but he went to Mrs. Sykes that evening
without his daughters knowledge, and
stood IL Gaming against q decreasing, watch
ing the brilliant devotees of fashion as
they entered IN glittering perfumed throngs
watching them with an anxious eye.
Would she waver now? Was her will
no stronger than that of five hundred
other women?
Presently she came, as lovely as ever.
the throng parting on either side as she
advanced up the room at the side of her
portly, ~vexedlooking Aunt Harrington.
What was the murmur that reached his
ears? ft!4 s9.e @
"Pink calico! Calico Impossible Miss
Bryant wear calico, indeed! Glace, more
likely, OF m%oire-antlque! Actually calico?
What a strange whim! But Maude Bry-
ant looks lovely in anything!"
Lovely! she did look lovely in the soft
folds of the French calico, with her sweet
eye full OF liquid light, and her cheek
glowing with soft scarlet.
Mr.. Bryant drew a long sigh of relief,
and then ordered the carriage for home.
1t was late when Maude returned, but
nevertheless she took a peep into the IL
brary to see if her father was still up.
"Papa!"
"Come in, Maude. Do you know your
year of probation is up tonight"
II don't call it probation. SIR"
perhaps not. Well, do you remember
my promising you a present if you adhered
to your odd notions? 4
Eyes, papa; but I told you I did not
want a present. @a +" t,
you'll find it in the drawing.room, |
child. |
IL Won't take it, papa" t3h |
won't you? Suppose you just take a
look at it first"
And Maude went slowly upstairs ODE
dent to her fathers gesture.
II will not take it whatever it is" she
thought, as she opened the door. "for-
my goodness! Charley May!''
sMaude-my own true Iove!''
And ChaRey's bright brown eyes were
looking into hers-Charley's chestnut
was close against her cheek.
What do you thing about taking my
present now, Miss Maude?" demanded
Mr.. Bryant, rubbing his hands gleefully.
"I've sent all the way 60 Chicago for it,
and [ think you seem rather pleased with
it than otherwise. I tell you what, Char
ley May, you may imagine that you have
been working very hard for my daughter
all these months, but she has not been
idle. Maude has well earned the happi-
ness of this hour
And Mr.. Bryant went down stairs to ex-
plain it all to Aunt Eloise, who was high
ly mystified as to the state of affairs.
This vas the solution of the enigma
That puzzled the fashionable world a
days subsequently, when they read in
papers that Maude Bryanthad married
no more distinguished a person than Char
ley May. |,