The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-03-23
Elsie's Three Offers.


Elsie's Three Offers.
The last touch was given to the dainty
toilet, and escaping from the hands of
mamma and maid little Elsie Baird
went slowly down the polished stairs,
buttoning the last glove as she went.
"Just little while more and it will
begin" she thought. "What fun it is
to be grown up 1 am glad now that
mamma wouldn't let me go to the Rogers
ball in the spring. It's great deal
nicer TO have my own the very first, and
notch! !" with sudden scream of de-
light, as the turn of the landing brought
into view the hall below, lamp-hung and
hower-festooned, with orange trees and
wbite-budded laurestines yelling the
corners and screening the musicians
stand tall bank of fair and rose red
camellias, to which Cousin Robert and
the gardener were at this moment putting
the last touches. All these wonders had
been evoked Sit ce Elsie went upst airs
for her preparatory nap. No wonders she
cried, "Ohl
at is fairy-land! It is too beautiful
to be true r. she called down over the
balustrade.
"Just So" responded her cousin from
below" quite toe beautiful to be trpe, !"
looking admlringly at the slender
vision in feecy white as it came sweep
ing down, and noting each point, the
dimpled shoulders, the tender bloom,
the fiuffs of golden hair which played
around that sweetest face, in which child
and woman seemed to blend SO won
derfully. "Well, Elsie, ] call that we'll
got up. What three bouquets How
are you going to manage with them ALL
may ask?'
"Do look nicep' said Elsie, twist
ing her head round to survey her train
that long delightful incumbrance
which to her imagination seemed the
visible badge and diploma of young
ladyhood. 81 am glad you like my
dress, Cousin Robert. And isn't it
fun P-about the bouquets, I mean. They
all came while I was asleep. This big
one is from Harry Blount Did you
ever see such a monster? He must
have cut every flower in his mothers
greenhouse. Aud such note as came
with it Dear Elsie, wear it for my
sake Now, Cousin r bert, imagine
my wearing such thing p
cit is rather like prize cabbage, u
remarked Robert, surveying the huge
bouquet with critical eye. "Well,
who sent the othersp"
"This one I am really proud Of"
said Elsie, dimpling with satisfaction.
like the bouquets which all the other
girls have, and makes me feel really and
truly grown up; only it is pity that
none of the flowers have any stems. And
hate those wires; they look so cruel"
And the third, which you are hold
ing so tight?"
"Now that one really is remarkable, f"
said Elsie, blushing not little.
"Mamma would hardly believe it. See
how exquisite it is all white rosebuds,
with just this little border of heliotrope
to give color. So appropriate-don'l
You think SOP"
"Highly appropriate to a child's
funeral" remarked her cousin, grimly
"You needn't show the card; I know
the fellow"
81 don't believe you've guessed right
at ALL" pronounced Elsie, waving the
card triumphantly above her head
"The Rev. Cyril Forsythe.' There
Did you ever? know, of course, that
it's all meant as politness to me and
mamma, but it's great fun all the same.
Bouquets, and ENGAGED already for the
german What will come next? Cousin
Robert, what il / should have an offer r.
"Do you particularly want one to-
I night, Midget?"
) "Oh, no, not to night; but some day
I think it would be nice to have one.
Now what shall / do with my flowers
l can't carry them all"
"It's rather like Goals to Newcastle
to give you another when you can't dis.
pose of those you have already" said
Robert. "Still, here's posy which
had brought you myself"
"CharmingW cried Elsie, throwing
her fragrant load on table and seizinq
the dewy mass of scarlet bloom which
he held out. "You always hit on JUS
the incest thing. These are the only
ones that look at all we'll with my dress
Seel" h olding the flowers against hel
snowy bodice with great feet "Mayn'
carry these, Robin dear?" cosxingly
li< tim so much the best"
"Robin dear" demurred, though
he kissed the little gloved hand as {
token of gratitude for the preference
1t was finally settled that all the bou
quets should lie together on little
table, and that Elsie should give eact
an airing in turn during the evening.
With an inaudible sigh Rober
Baird watched his darling as guests
arrived, and the music began to SOUND
from behind the camellia screen. The
soft round cheeks he loved grew roster
the sweet, delighted eyes glowed witt
excitement; Elsie, his pet and treasure
was fairly launched on the fair bu
treaeherous sea of society, and a sense
OF loss and deprivation seized hi
spirits,