Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-01-26
Mrs. Chester's Mistake.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.

"Now, Bertha, read over the list, and
tell me if 1 have omitted any friend
whom ycu particularly wish to honor"
81 should say not. judging from
the depth and thickness Of that formi-
dable pile of missives I" laughed pretty
Mrs. Chester from her cozy armchair,
drawn up close to the fire il the library
OF most charming house.
1t as within a week OF Christmas,
and snow was falling from leaden sky
on the lawn and wooded park that sur
rounded Chester hall. But the gloom
without only served to heighten the
luxurious comfort within. The fire.
light danced aud played upon the rows
of gsy-looking volumes that lined the
walls upon the stately busts OF bygone
poets and authors of high repute that
appropriately filed the corners-upon
the bright colored silks that had fallen
from Mrs. Chester's work basket on TO
the rug OF valuable er-skin-lastly
upon the fair faces OF the two ladies
who were bending over the writing
table.
In the center was a capacious card
tray, which had been emptied OF its
contents and the elder of the two
began TO call over the names. referring
at the same time to the pile Of written
notes, a proceeding much retarded by
the comments passed upon them.
"Melvilles, Greys, Hunts, Agnes
Lester"
"Stay, that note will have to be
burnt. 1t is no use to ask Agnes. She
has declined all invitations for the last
two years, until people grew so certain
of refusal that they let her alone"
"You surprise mel" returned Mrs.
Harding. "T used to hear of her as
the liveliest girl of your set, always
ready for frolic, and devotedly fond
of dancing. What can have changed
her so p
"No one has any idea ; but IL is a
great pity, for she is just as charming
and as beautiful as ever"
al must take her in hand myself and
alter such a state of things" rejoined
the kindly widow, resuming her task.
"Boyds. Pridhams, Macleans, and here
is name am unacquainted with, and
lAi ] aside as doubtful Who is Rose
DavenantT =
"oh please don't omit her, or my
party will be failure. The Davenants
came to reside in the neighborhood
some eighteen months since. She is
the belle Of every ball, the men are
quite wild about her, and believe she
might marry any one Of them she chose,
but she is finished coquette, and dis
penses her favors so equally. that if she
has q heart it certainly cannot be
touched"
There was a moments silence then
she resumed, thoughtfully:
az can scarcely understand Rose. I
have watched her at her gayest, and
seen such wistful, far-away expression
Suddenly shade her face, that question
whether her gayety is always real"
It was an unusually sober speech
for the lively little blonde to utter, and
betrayed more interest than she general
ly felt for her lady acquaintance.
There that is the last, then" sal d
Mrs. Harding. "I fear you will not
get answers from all the guests-tho
time IL so short-onIy the day after to-
morrow"
"Yes; that is the worst Of Il. Ishall
not know who ia coming. I hope the
girls will have some sort of toilet ready
upon so short 3 notice"
"TelI them to put clean frills to their
best dresses-that is all you require, Z"
laughed the widow, sweeping tho notes
into capacious bag. "And now for
our drive to the postofice. Take plenty
of wraps with you, Bertha; the cold is
intense"
The Chesters of Chester hall had
been noted for generations for their hos
pitality, and the reception were
the scene Of many a brilliant gathering.
The present occasion, when tho guests
were 50 hastily called together, was for
the especial honor Of the young chat
eIalnc's only brother, Henry Sinslair.
and his companion in travel They