The Worthington advance., 1880-09-30
ANARkOW ESCAPE.

dear, you look just lovely.
Poor old nurse, according to her, I was
always lovely. Whether arrayed in silk
or cotton, ball dress or morning gown,
her verdict respecting me remained the
the same.
As surveyed myself IN the glass, 7
telt conscious blush rising to my face.
l wanted to look my very best tonight,
and l knew that my white dress and new
pearl ornaments became me we'll.
"Give me a kiss, nurse" cried, "and
then go aud get ready while show n.y.
self to papa. How do d., papa7'' de.
manded l, bursting upon him IN all the
splendor of my attire.
"Eh, my little GIRL" he said, looking
up from the book he was reading, "are
you going now2''
''Yes; promised to he the first arrival,
you know; and, please, I want your can
did opinion on my appearance. Nurse
thinks I look lovely
II am afraid nurse Is partial critic, :"
he returned, with fond smi.e. "You
look very nice, indeed, darling. You are
growing wonderfully like your mo-
ther, child.''
l knew that this was the highest praise
he could give me, and forgetful alike of
m hdignity and extensive train, ran to
him and clasped both my arms about his
neck.
"You dear old papa! You're sure you
don't mind my leaving you-quite sure2
you won't feel lonely without me, will
And you"
"No, my child-no.
As drove along with nurse In her
prim black bonnet seated opposite to me,
my heart beat hi gh with nervous anti
cipation. was going to my first party :;
for though was eighteen, papa and l
had lived such retired lives that till late
ly l had known nothing Of the gaietties
Of girls of my age. Six months previous
ly, however, the Mortons, some old
friends of my fathers had settled in the
neighborhood and at their house I had
begun to appear in society. Already on
the strength Of few musical and a gar
den party Or two, l felf myself quite a
dissipated person.
When we reached Home Lodge, the
large, comfortable, old country mansion
was ablaze with light, and from the open
door streamed an inviting flood OF warmth
and briiliance.
In the hall I was seized upon by Louie
ane Lottie Morton the twin sisters.
"Come upstairs to our room," cried
Lottie; we shall have time for chat be-
fore the people arrive"
The sitting.room, specially appropriate
to the girls use, was pretty, cosy apart
ment. A splendid wood fire was burning
on the tiled hearth, and near by a little
table was set forth with dainty repast
Of coffee and delicious cakes.
After we had examined and comment
ed on each others costumes, Louie be-
gan filling our cups Just as young lady
entered the room.
| She was friend staying on visit
Isabella saloni by name, and by birth
half Italian and half English.
She looked remarkably we'll, in dress
of heavy saffron-tinted brocadc, and neck
lace, earrings, and bracelets of dull gold,
and as I gazed at her I comprehended
how rarely lovely she was.
Twas engaged to Rupert Morton for
the first waltz; but we had only taken a
couple of turns round the room when he
whispered:
'Do you particularly wish to finish
this dance2 If not, will you come into
the CONSERVATORY 1t is cool and pleas
ant there:
Twas about to make some laughing
rejoinder, but look in his gray eyes
stopped me, and merely bowed assent.
"Gertrude,' he said, softly, as we stood
by a marble basin wherein tiny foun-
tain sent up sparkling cascade of sll-
very drops, 'do you guess why I asked
you to come up hele2''
glanced up at him saucily.
"Certainly, because it il so cool and
pleasant"
"Ah! that WAS only the pretext, the ex-
cuse. Surely you can guess my real rea-
son, darling. You know l l've you, do
strove to cover my burning cheeks
with my hands; but he gently removed
them. and held them in his own a. he
bent his head to the level OF my down
cast eyes.
"Have you not word to say to mel
Can you not give me one word of hope9''
1could not at first speak, but he read
his answer in my silence.
"Rupcrt," murmured presently, rails
ing my head from its resting place on
his shoulder, ''do you know III thought
III was afraid that you liked Miss Salo.
nj"
| .tVor uaro un;at.Lon M mon co,,11