The Osceola times., 1881-02-19

wee cry" But in another moment she
was down stairs-satin slippers, tarlatan
and all-pinning up her mothers shawl
and sending loving messageo 10 grand
ma.
So She went back To- her room o. take
them all oH-all. The pretty dress fold
ed away in a box, the pink ribbons hid
den in their tlssue-papcr hiding-place
the slippers the fan, the fresh white rose
buds, all laid beyond her reach, and Fan
ME, IN plain everyday dress, went down
10 amnse little sue and to rock the baby
10 sleep.
Meanwhile Md was riding comforta-
. bly, along in his fathers buggy, whistling
Little Brown jug, and thinking of Fan
ME. lie had fastened his horse. and was
running mp the steps looking handsomer
than ever in his light suit and becoming
necktie, when Fannie opened the door
and stood for a moment in awkward
silence.
Good evening" said Md at last, tax
ing of his hat gracefully and wondering
not little at Fannie in the brown de-
laine and linen collar and cuffs.
"Oh, Md! am SO sorry, but after all |
can't go.' she sorrowfully exclaimed.
Cant CO.. repeated Md, not at all
prepared for the announcement.
"\o; father and mother were obliged
to 90 to grandma, who Is sick. | hated
to tell You, but there is no one to stay
with the children but me-"
where's the girl?' persisted Md, 10th
to give up his pretty partner for the eve
nings entertainment.
Gone" said Fannie, mOurnmlly.
"Too bad, too bad what bother
quoth Md, walking back and forth on
the steps and waiting for Fannie, who
had disappeared.
She came back in moment tying to-
gether three lovely white buds and a
couple of geranium leaves. There,
Md" she said, fastening the sweet
bunch in his button-hole, "now 90 to the
party and enjoy yourself, only be sure
you remember everything to tell me. We
are both sorry, but it cannot be helped
Thank you for these, Fannie said
he, toying with the flowers. Il would
gladly bring the party here if | could:
but as cannot do that, may | stay and
amuse you myself this evening"
The idea" said Fannie, laughing in
earnest now; "be gone, sir and with
smile and wave of her hand she dis
missed him. But when the last sound
Of the wheels had died in the distance
when the door was fairly shut between
her and the beautiful pleasure outside, it
did seem hard.
/ Little Sue trottcd up stairs to her trun-
blo-bed, the baby's white lids crcpt down
over his blue eyes, and soon Fannie was
alone. She lighted the lamps and began
tS wander up and down the parlor, and
tried, oh, 50 hard, not to think at all;
tried to sew, but the thoughts came fast
or than ever then; tried 10 play a little.
/ but made only dscord; and finally took
up the Vicar of Wakefield and sat
down to read. She was just thinking
what a poky book it was after all, when
again came the sound of wheels nearer
and nearer Yes, before Fannie could
| open the door the bell rang violently,
and there stood Md with little Miss
/ Crab.
Miss Grab was an old maid who lived
al the other end of the village, and did
| plain sewing sat up nights with sick Ie1-
/ pie, and was, in fact, al eyerybOdy's call
and beck AS Md was turning SORROW
fully away from Fannies door, he sud-
denly thought of Miss Crab, and that
possibly she might help him. So, driv-
ing rapidly, he reached her door just a.
the good lady was sitting down to her
| supper. In the iewest possible words he
told his story, and, without waiting to
finish her cup of tea, Miss Crab threw
on her shawl, and tying her bonnet as
she went, said: "She shall 90 to the
party, pretty dear; I'll stay and take care
of the babes myself
SO there they stood. and it did not
take Fannie long to understand it, or to
rush up stairs and pull out all the pretty
| things once more.
Md sat in the parlor waiting with
such patience as he could muster, while
Miss Crab cut fresh rose-buds, hurried
| Fannie into the rutlled dress and white
| slippers, and then throwing q light cloak
over her, led her down stairs, saving:
You look rs lovely as a peach; now 90
and enjoy yourself. and hold up your
dress when YOU get in the buggy, so YOU
won't be all in a crush."
Have We time enough yct'' said Fan
ME, standing in the parlor door fastening
her gloves, in fiutter of joy.
Oceans" returned Md, taking out his
watch in a manly way.
| Perhaps it was the ride and the eve
ming air, or perhaps all the excitement
she had undergone, but Md thought he
had never seen Fannie look half so love
| lv as when she came softly down the
Judges broad carpcted stairs with the
slippers on her feet and the rose-buds in
/ her hair. And Fannie's cheeks were not
| paler than her own rosy ribbons when
| Md led her up to shake hands with the
niece and to speak to the lady and gen
tleman who We're giving these young
people so much pleasure.
Now Fannie had never been trained
at dancing school, had only danced the
polka and gallop at home with little Sue
to her mothers simple playing, but
somehow the pretty slippered feet fell in
to it quite easily and before the evening
was half over Md and Fannie were
waltzing to The Blue Danube with the
best of them.
Outside the beautiful grounds were gay
with Chinese lanterns, that shown from
the sOmber old trees, and threw their
colorcd lights down on the smooth lane
where Fannie and Md, with many anoth-
er happy couple, sat eating ices and fruit
at tiny round tables.
Inside it was all light and beauty. all
music and nowers-flowers that dropped
from glass vases on the mantlepieccs
and blossomed out into notices on the
parlor walls. Delicate flowers were fes-
tooncd in the folds of the long lace cur
tains, and hung in garlands from the
gilded chandeliers. And through these
| hower-drossed rooms, and ont into the
conservatory beyond, fairy forms danced
and danced to the bewitching music
But il was all over too soon and van