The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-12-05

serious Irritation with the stately girl in
his college days, and had always cited
ror CT fashion, to Nellie.
"You'd better take Aurelia's advice
as to your company tomorrow night"
said Ned, as he babe the ladies good
by that morning "I'll foot the bill,
and let the affair be as recherche as you
ladies can make it."
Nellie's heart sank, but with the
agreement " ever before her, her tea
party should succeed, in spite of even a
Boston belle. She told Aurelia that she
had invited few friends to tea, but
that young lady insisted on knowing
how many" and "who," and when
she heard the number and names of the
guests, held up her hands in amaze
ment-" 1t would never do; their posi-
ton in society would be ruined! And
no dancing? No supper? Come, it
must be as Ned said. She would take
all the trouble off Nellie's shoulders,
and even in the short time left to her
could get musicians, and order an ele-
giant little supper Ned would not mind
the expense" she assured Nellie.
But Nellie would not let Aurelia have
her way, and the latter was too we'll
bred to quarrel with her hostess; yet
each felt vexed, and Nellie dreaded lest
her husband should show any feeling of
displeasure towards her before his
cousin.
Determined to avoid this, at all risks,
she decided to 90 down to Ned's Office,
and walk home with him. So, when
Aurelia retired to dress for dinner, Mel
lie slipped out, and reached the office
just as Ned was starting up town.
"Why, Puss, I'm in luck!'' was his
greeting. "This seems like the old
lover days"
Nellie, having him all to hetself, per-
| suaded him that he might trust the en-
tire arrangements for the next evening
to her. 81 want to surprise your cousin,
dear, so please don't say word about
our tea-party tonight.
Ned agreed, and as, when Aurelia
preached the subject of the next even
ing's entertainment, it was hardly
noticed, she had to let the matter drop,
and at Nellie's request, refrained from
looking into parlor or dining-room the
next day.
At last, Thursday evening came, and
Nellie stood ready to receive her guests.
Ned had had some misgivings, but
liked to see Nellie so bright and full OF
business as she had been through the
past week-full of secrets too, for he
was to know nothing of the arrange
ments till the evening.
AS he steps into the parlor, a pretty
sight meets his eye. Nellie stands be-
| tween the front windows, and behind
hang and climb flowers; that space had
always troubled him, for he would not
buy a mirror, till he could get full set,
mantel and pier, to his taste; but what
mirror could equal the ivy, Ger.
man and English, with flow
ers hanging from above, and
growing up from pots banked with moss
on the floor. Nellie stands in her blue
silk, with soft laces at her neck and
sleeves; her pearls, his wedding gift,
seem only whittier than the smooth pure
skin. Mrs. Livingstone has entered,
and Nellie is little nervous, as Ned rs
practiced eyes see, but less watchful
observer would only think her wonder.
| fully dignifed for such a little woman.
The guests come promptly, and at q
sign from Nellie, Ned offers his arm to
Cousin Aurelia, and leads the way to the
dining-room.
: 1t is wonderfully beautiful. The win
dow recesses have each an arch of grow
ing plants in full bloom; the principal
| table in the center of the room is small,
but exquisitely laid flowers and fruit,
with cut-glass and silver, make it a
thing of beauty. Nellie, and about ten
of the guests, take seats at this table,
while Ned has charge of small one in
a window recess, Mary heads another,
and three chosen friends, who have been
notified beforehand, preside over the
others.
Nellie tells her husband she thinks he
should set the ball rolling by speech,
and as this is Ned's forte Gas the little
woman knows), he makes them all mer-
ry and sociable by description of a
fictitious tea-drinking in the country,
where he first met Mrs. Ryder, and says,
as he has married a country lassie, they
are invited to a "tea," and begs them
to be sociable over the cup that "cheers
but not inebriates.''
All goes merrily, and though there
are no courses, yet they linger at the ia
BILE, and certainly do justice to the cheer.
The evening passes all too quickly for
the guests. Carriages had been order
ed for 10 O'Clock, but waited at the
door-the guests could not tear them
selves away. Mr.. w. had made them
grave and gay by turns, by his magical
rendering of poems, sad or witty.