The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-01-08

than with me-" he asked, with one Of his
grave, sober looks.
."No, but thought you would be better
pleased to have it So"
am best pleased to have you to myself;
80 don't alter the present arrangements.
That OF course settled il: nut. although /
was pleased that he should declare his pre-
Terence for my company. there was no
ground for feeling it was more than the
courtesy any gentleman may show lady.
All through the holidays we were busy
making, altering, planning, devisng new
ad0rnments for this, our first, ball. There
was dressmakcr in the house all the time,
and our own fingers had not been idle. 1t
had prOveda serious matter to our young
and inexperienced heads.
The last day OF the old year had come, and
the finishing touches had been given to our
bali dresses. Another serious matter was
the hair dressing. The couture has SO much
to 90 with ones general appearance that it
is no tritIe to choose just that style most be-
coming to the wearer, and yet accord prop
erly with the dress and its comcOmitants.
Older heads than ours have pondered long
Is the surest way.
Nellie and Kate had dressed my hair in
what they conceived to be the most becom-
Ing way; then the new ball dress was put
on to try the effect. They were criticising
and suggesting changes when father came
in. lie stopped at the door moment and
surveyed us. We expected to hear good
natured laugh at our serious vanity.
Bless me, little girl" he said, catching
me suddenly in his arms and kissing me,
II never saw you look like that before; and
-and-1 don't know whether ! ought to
laugh or cry"
There were tears in his eyes, actually-the
dear old father. Then he had all our arms
around his neck, until he broke loose from
us, laughing.
Sarah, our house. girl, had come to the
door for something, and stood there, keenty
watching this unusual performance. When
father was on his feet, he took out two small
packages, and tossing them into Hates lap
and mine, said:
"L,ttle girls, your Christmas didn't come
last"
Each package was roll Of bills, which
proved to be ten bank notes Of five hundred
dollars each.
1t was so unexpected, and so much, too,
that the arms went around his neck again.
swell, Sarah," said he, at last, ''the girls
are so much carried away with the ball, and
now their Christmas, that they never think
ofyou. What is it,"
Sarah was duly attended to and sent her
way. She had scarcely left the room before
the bell rang, and Mr.. Goodwin called.
There was ,nomentary panic among us, for
girls do not, in general, expect or desire
| eaaoR lie ;r.t lo :l-< -
ours; but father laughed, aud said he would
young ladies, for they must have one dress
rehearsal for the ball.
OF course, that would not do at all, and he
was shown up, to join in the laugh against
us.
He came in, looking his gravest.
q" What singular -looking girl" he said,
'this Sarah is, with her blue goggles. Where
did you get her? There is something in that
girls face strangely familiar, and yet can't
place her."
"She came to us in the country first; but
she did not wear goggles then. She is neat
and capable, but very queer sometimes," I
answered.
Then opened the closet door to 90 to the
safe with our presents. Vanity perhaps
prompted me to stop and show them to Mr..
Goodwin.
"But you are not going to keep such a
large sum as that-ten thousand dollars
| here in the house, are you:"
"Yes,' said father. "When Fan carries
the key to the safe, it is all right"
"No, Mr.. Livingstone, it is all wrong. 1t
is too great a risk, Only an hour ago re-
ceived q dispatch from Jacksonville, asking
me to come there to identify some burglars
whom u had once sent to State.prison.
McAfee, the leader Of the gang, and whose
wife tried to kill me once, is said to be hid
ing here in this city. That was my business
here, Miss Fanny, to tell you this, and ask
you to wait an hour later for me to get back
from jacksonville tonight. May ask"
"Certainly, why nOt:'
Think would have given up the ball il
he had asked me to do so, much as l hoped
to enjoy it.
'Ihanks; then must leave You and run
to my train. Good.by till 10 O'Clock, them
"Gooa.by."
And he hurried away. We watched him,
running halt the time, as he went rapidly
down the street.
"You had better 60 to the bank with his
money, father" said Kate, seriously.
"NonSense; why, who is going to rob this
house with so many Of us always present:
Then, who knows but ourselves if there is a
dollar in the house,"
While this conversation was going on ]
was in the closet, putting the money in the
safe. As came ont it certainly seemed
for it was only observation-disclosures must
be some person besides myself in the closet.
With that feeling turned back aud looked
for moment at everything in it, but there
was nOthin, unusual.
At eight O'Clock cattle trader called and
fNnt- fofE J,Oo SS.s< + II 60 nj ~
little later Mr.. Burnett came with carriage
for Nelly and Kate. They left the house in
high glee, laughing at me and my matter
of.fact escort, who attended to his business
first before even the pleasure Of the Govern
or's ball.
When l was fully dressed and saw that
had yet half-hour to wait before Mr.. Good
win would come, felt tired and weary al
ready. l rang the bell for Mary, the cook,
thinking would have her make me cup OF
strong coffee before going. Sarah answered
the bell.
81 want Mary; please tell her to come up
a moment"
"Mary has just gone out for little. Her
cousin called for her."
This was not agreeable news. did not
care to leave the house alone with Sarah.
us It anything I can do for you, Miss
FannyW
"No; but you can look after the kitchen
fire and see that there is hot water when l
come down.
l would make the coffee myself when Mr..
Goodwin came. But would have glass of
wine now, thought.
Then stood before the glass arranging
and rearranging the flowers in my hair. I
had small bunch Of natural flowers, too, in
my corsage which needed setting in position.
All this occupied fifteen minutes or more.
The wine was below In the sitting. room
closet; and perhaps after all had better not
take the wine. II the train was on time Mr..
Goodwin would be punctllal to the minute.