The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-01-08

quent visitor. There were a grea, many
jokes banded among the family concerning
his visits. Whether he did or did not sus-
pect something of this, he was singularly
impartial in his attentions to Kate ana my
self. We both liked him. We could not pc
jealous of each other; yet think each would
have felt greattul sense OF relief had ne
been more marked or positive in his atten-
tons to either.
John Goodwin entered heartily into all
our plans for the holiday festivities, ana
especially this browning effort, the ball at tne
Governors mansion New Years Eve: de
had attended great many similar balls ana
so could give good many hints.
Ten days before New Years Nelly Fen
wick came to visit us and spend the holidays,
but most of all to go with us to this, our first
ball.
Father was absent good deal, and that
made John Goodwin's constant visits all the
more desirable. He was our escort to near
ly every place we went, and it came about so
quietly and naturally that we scarcely
thought of going even to church without
him.
He was to be our escort to the ball, until
young Burnett, who had become desperately
smitten with Nelly, insisted upon taking her.
Then it was managed that Kate should go
with them and John Goodwin should fall to
me alone. / was afraid it was not quite
agreeable to him, and begged him to take
Kate and let me go with Nelly. When had
said this to him few nights before, was
surprised but not displeased at what fol-
lowed.
"Do you prefer to go with them rather
than with mer 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;
so don't alter the present ARRANGEMENTS, -
That of qafflad IT.. hit Qtfhn1Oh
was pleased that he should declare his pre-
ference 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, devising new
adornments for this, our first, ball. There
was dressmaker in the house all the time,
and our own fingers had not been idle. 1t
had proved 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
ball dresses. Another serious matter was
the hair dressing. The couture has so much
to do with ones general appearance that it
is no trifle 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
over it and then gone wrong. Experiment
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. He 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-,
81 never saw you look like that before; and
-and-I don't know whether 1 ought to
laugh or cry"
There were tears in his eyes, actualIy-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, keenly
watching this unusual performance. When
father was on his feet, he took out two small
packages, and tossing them into Kate's lap
and mine, said:
"L,ttle girls, your Christmas didn't come
this year until New Years; but here it is at
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.
"Well, 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 momentary panic among us, for
girls do not, in general, expect or desire
such calls in the midst of preparations like
ours; but father laughed, and said he would
60 down and tell him to please excuse the
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.
What a 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 1 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"
answered.
Then opened the closet door to go to the
safe with our presents. Vanity perhaps
prompted me to stop and show them to Mr..
Goodwin.
"Butyou are not going to keep such a
large sum as that-ten thousand dollars
here in the house, are your"
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 risk, Only an hour ago re-
ceived a dispatch from Jacksonville, asking
me to come there to identify some burglars
whom / 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 might. May l ask?"
"Certainly, why not"
think would have given up the ball if
he had asked me to do so, much as I hoped
to enjoy it.
"Thanks; then must leave you and run
to my train. Good-by till 10 O'Clock, then"
"Good-by."
And he hurried away. We watched him,
running half the time, as he went rapidly
down the street.
"You had better go 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 il there is a
dollar in the housep
While this conversation was going on l
was In the closet, putting the money In the
safe. AS | came out it certainly seemed
for it was only presentiment-there must
be some person besides myself in the closet
With that feeling / turned back and looked
for moment at everything in it, but there
was nothing unusual.
At eight O'Clock cattle trader called and
took father back with him to his hotel. A
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