The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-04-30

larly pretty, save i'll the pleasant, mirth-
full expression of the countenance. The
Misses Bendelpcol were handsome, and
never regarded vi as a rival, for though
she liked male society, she abhorred and
speedily stopped hattery or sentiment
The evening of the Sumner ball ar
rived. The Bendelpool house was in
commo(ion; the unfortunate lady's maid
was summoned from dressing-room to
dressing-room, until she was tired out of
her life. As tue last touches were being
given, Mrs. Bendelpool entered, smiling,
holding two pasteboard boxes in her
hand.
mora and Clare" she said, "papa had
meant these for Christmas presents, but
he has forestalled them for this evening""
! the boxes opened, the girls gave cry
of delight-each contained pearl neck
lace, with pendant and earrings to
match. They were speedily placed, and
certainly "the Bendelpool girls" looked,
to Use young Oxonian's words, "no end
of stunning"
"Where is vi" .-
"Here. my dear Nora, quite ready to
admire you," answered Violet, entering,
tastefuly attired in an amber, gauzy,
lacy fabric.
"Clare, Sir Archie will feel like"
"Don't say donkey between two bun
dies of hay, Vi"
"No; like Macbeth, How happy could
| be with either;'" and descending to
the carriage, they drove to Sumner
Abbey.
The ball was, indeed, a grand one; and
Sir Archie Buckingham, broad-shoul-
dered, lair, brown-haired, frank, hand
some, bronzed young English gentleman,
was the lion of the evening.
(Which is but fair" whispered vi,
considering the lions had it SO much
their own way in Africa"
vi quizzed him, nevertheless, danced
with him, and said he was very enter
tanning, and even, possibly, would i'm
prove on acquaintance.
The Bendelpool girls, and all the other
handsome girls, danced with him, and
declared he was divine!
Sir Archie certainly seemed to have
the same opinion OF his partners. He
was graciousness itself.
aren't the Bendelpool girls Jolly hand
some, Archie" whispered George sum-
ner.
"Yes-very, indeed"
"Well, nowyou have seen the beauty
of Shallowton, how about your selection
of wife?
1T is made" was the reply.
"MadeT'
eyes, if the lady will be only kind
enough to have me. shall ask permis-
sion to-to improve our acquaintance,
with the Interior idea of partnership, to-
night"
"NeverT'
"True."
"But-but, the peculiarity~
"Out of all the crowd here" remarked
Sir Archie, "only one possesses it. OF
course | am not compelled to marry that
one; but as circumstances turn out, |
think should like to try"
And with that Sir Archie strolled
away, dance forming, to find the lady
on whose tablets his name was down.
That lady was Violet. .
They had a very pleasant and chatty
spin just twice around the ballroom
Vi. remarked that dancing, like other
good things, was to be taken in modera-
tion. Then they stood aside, watching
the rest. Nora, leaning on the shoulder
Of George Sumner, whirled by; soon af-
ter came Clare, with Col. Hanley.
"A pretty. graceful scene," smiled Sir
Archie, especially to one fresh from the
wlds of Africa, though even here
find resemblances. The gems and gold
of the ornaments in the ladies' ears, as
they flash by, remind me of the fireAies
as they darted through the dark tropical
night"
"Do they recall to you nothing else,
Sir ArchibaldT' inquired VII, roguishiy.
GLOW do you meanw
THAT there is further resemblance;
indeed, that there is not much difference
between the African lady who wears a
ring through the nose or lip and Euro
pean girl who wears one through her ear.
Is it not remnant of barbarism?"
The Baronet gave great start.
"That decides me-" he exclaimed, half
aloud. "Miss Fortescue, may lead you
to take an ice?'
) Before that ice was consumed Sir
Archie had asked permission, very hum
bly,, for it was really case of love at
first sight, to WOO Vi, and after a while
had obtained half consent.
"But," said vi, shyly, as they re.
turned slowly to the ballroom, "I under.
stand the lady you intend to honor
"Must have certain peculiarity9" he
broke in. "True, Miss Fortescue, and
you have it."
III" calculated vi, smiling; "good
"Yes," he repeated, smiling. "When
, travelling through Africa / saw the hid
! eousness of the nose and lip-ring worn
! by It's races. The idea occurred to me
whether my fair countrywomen, consid-
ering their superior cultivation, were any
hattar nr LOGS bo rho ro,a tba, +Lo,x A.