South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-11-03
An Evening at Home.

4 uont know out she says she's
not going
Doesn't her ball dress fit?'
Yes, beautifully
'What is the matter, them
Indeed, ma. / cannot tell. You
had better go up and see her. IT is
the strangest notion in the world
Why, you couldn't hire me to stay at
home.'
Mrs. Lindley went up stairs, and
entering her daughters room, found
her sitting on the side of the bed with
Il beautiful ball dress in her hand
1t isn't possible, Helen. that you
arc not going to this balI?' she said
Helen looked np with q half seri.
ops half smiling expression on her
face.
I've been trying for the last half
hour she replied, to decide whether
| onght to go, or stay ut homo. |
think. perhaps, | ought to remain at
home.'
But what earthly reason can you
have for doing so? Don't you like
youT tfeSSs
% yes! very much. l think i SO
beautiful
Doesn't it fit you?'
AS well ne any dress | ever had
Are you not well!'
Very WELL
Then why not go 70 the ball? 1t
will be the largest and most fashiona.
bic OF the season. You know that
your father and myself are both go
ing. We shall want To see you there
of con,se. Your father will require
some very good reason for your abb
sence.'
Helen looked perplcxed at her mo-
theirs last remark.
] think he Will. unless YOU can sa.
tisfy him that your reason for doing
SO Is very good one. Nor shall
feel :lat Won are doing right. | wish
all my children - act under the gov
eminent of n sound Judgment. I'm
pulse, or reasons not 10 be spoken of
irceiv to their parents, should III no
case influence their actions
Helen sat thoughtful for moment
and then said. her eyes growing dim
rs she spoke.
Il wish TO stay at home for Ed
wards sake
And why for his, my dear?'
Sic doesn't go to balls, you know
because he is 100 young and too
backward. You conld not hire him
TO go there. But that is no reason
Willy you should remain mt home
Gu would never parta ke Of any So
cial amusement were this always to
influence you. Let him spend the
evening in reading. He must not
expect his sisters 10 deny themselves
all recl cation III which he cannot or
will not participate.
lie does not. | know he would
not hear OF snch thing as my stay
ing at home on !ia account
Then why siay2
because | feel that | ought TO do
so. This is the way | have felt all
day whenever | have thought of 90.
ing. If were to go, | know that
would not have q moments enjoy.
ment. lie need not know why ! re.
main at home. To tell him that |
did not wish to go will satisfy his
MUD
i shall not urge the matter, Hell
en- her mother SAID, after Il silence Of
some moments. 'You are old enough
to Jndge III matter of this kind for
yourself. But | must say that | think
you rather foolish. You will not
find Edward disposed to sacrifice so
much for You
'Of that | do not think, mother. -
OF that | do not think
Perhaps not Well, you may do
as you like. But 1 don't know what
your father will say
Mrs. Lindley then left the room.
Edward Lindley was at the critical
age OF eighteen that period when
mary yourg men, especially those
who have been blessed with sisters.
would have highly enjoyed a ball.
But Edward was shy, timid and ex.
cecdingly bashful in company. and
could hardly ever he induced to 20
ont TO parties with his sisters. Still.
he was intelligent for hIs years, and
companionable Ills many good qua.
tiles endeared him TO his family. and
drew forth from hs sisters towards
bin very tender regard.
Among his male friends were sew.
eraI about his own age, members of
families with whom bis own was on
friendly terms With these he asso-
ciated frequently. and with two or
three others quite intimately. For
a month or two Helen had noticed
that one or another of these Young
friends called every now and then Tor
Edward in the evening and that he
went out with them and stayed until
bedtime. Bat unless his sisters were
from home. lie hardly ever went out
of his own accord. The fact Of hia