The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-03-12

Kitty had been to the charity ball, and
the charity ball was very fashionable,
there was no doubt about that. Kitty
had eaten a late supper, returned home,
gone to bed and to sleep; there was no
doubt of that. She recollected distinctly
other into corner, saying ''Good night"
to her own figure in the looking glass,
twisting the figure of a butterfly till her
fingers ached before she discovered that
laughing sleepily at all her mistakes. She
even remembered the first dream of her
sleep, which was something about char
ity diamonds, chicken-salad. lancers and
ice-cream waltzes.
No; there was no doubt that she had
gone through all this; yet there she was,
staring in at the windows of the great
ballroom, and the ball was just commenc-
ing. Could she have gone to sleep on
the window-sill in some mysterious man
ner. No; she was outside and standing
in The air, with somebody holding on to
her hand!
"Oh, dear, thought Kitty, mournful-
ly, 81 must have drank some wine some
how. How strange it isl 1 wonder how
came here! But what colds hands hold
m ne; it's not papa's. for it makes me
shiver. He must be horrid. 1 won't
look at him. SOP
There did not seem to be much need of
the resolve. however. for the person who
held her hand did not move nor seem to
care whether she saw HIM or not, but
quietly looked in with her. So, at last,
like most girls, Kitty's curiosity got the
better of her, and she cautiously glanced
out of the corners of her eyes.
Beside her she saw an old man. His
beard and hair were long and white, and
dropped about his neck and shoulders,
like falling snow. Upon his head was
lightly placed a crown as of frost-work,
so delicate was its texture. Robes, long
and dark, and cold to look at, fell in
broad folds from his shoulders, and were
held to his waist by girdle of twink
ling stars. He was gazing in at the
brilliant assemblage with sad, melan-
choly look upon his face.
Kitty looked at his robes.
tHow very old -fashionedr she thought
land aged, very aged"
eyes," murmured the old man; 'sold,
very Old
Kitty started. He read her thoughts.
evidently. She was sorry now she had
thought it, he looked SO sad.
'Who are you?" asked Kitty, timidly,
land why have you brought me here?"
81 am the Cold Night" said the old
His eyes were sharp and piercing, yet
full of kindness. "And have brought
you here that you. might see how great
your charity is, for I heard this was
charity
eyes" said Kitty nervously.
Il am friend of the poor" continued
he Cold Night; ''and I love to see chari-
ty." He looked back into the ballroom
as he spoke. "You see all your friends
here?"
eyes," said Kitty Frightening up and
gazing inside with something of a proud
look. There's Flowery Hall right be-
fore the window now. She has those
beautiful solitaire diamonds in her
ears now. Oh, dear, how bright they
look, I wish I had them"
but You had the handsomest Dress"
said the Cold night, sadly.
.'Oh, yes," exclaimed Kitty, quickly, |
''It was of the richest silk and cost |
several hundred dollars. Papa was SO |
kind"
'.And it was bought for charity?"
asked the Cold Night.
"Why, no, for me, of course" an
swered Kitty, in surprise.
''But the ball is for charity?"
Kitty began to be bewildered by so
much catechising, and she was much |
relieved when he led her away.
They descended to the grand en-
trance, where he pointed to two little |
beggars, boy and girl, who fddled |
and sang, and asked penny of all the |
rich people descending from their car
riages.
'sYou passed them by to-night?"
eyes, but they are horrid beggars,"
said Kitty. The Cold nightwas silent;
and Kitty was afraid she might have
said something wrong, SO she added:
.'And common street fddlers."
But the Cold Night said nothing.
They both watched the little duo,
Tosey and Tibby, the Cold Night
and drew nearer to hear what they
would say People, rich with money
and great in charity carefully passed
them by, for they We're ragged beg