Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-04-13

Madame Fontaine'B. 1t was after IL
before she left the house. She bought
the lace, but went from florist to florist
before she found just her ideal white
rose. 1t rained in torrents. The
streets ran in water and mud was
everywhere. She was hungry, she was
nervous. She went 10 restaurant to
get cup OF tea, but the waiter was so
long coming to her she jumped up and
ran TO Madame Fontaine's.
"What, change that hat |" cried tho
milliner, "that superb hat 1t is tho
most charming one had in the room.
Beavers are commonplace and to you
not becoming" She could not trim
hat on 30 short notice. Sho talked
sho said it was absurd to think of n
change, The time flew on. Katherine
had no time nor strength to discuss il,
and she hastily threw Off her old hat
and the milliner put the new one on
her, and without a glance at the glass
she was of again. Ice cream is not
stimulating but it il readily served,
and on ii Katherine lunched. 1t gave
her a pain in her forehead, and she
laughed TO herself at tho idea OF any
one 30 drenched with rain eating such
cold, frozen stufT.
But At the dressmakers all was
ready. II took but moment to sew
in the lace. and tho skillful fingers of
the dressmAker fastened up the dress,
pinned up the train aud then the clock
struck 3.
How far away Mrs. Elliot lived; how
slowly tho car splashed along II tho
horses had only kept time with Kath.
crimes watch, how they would have
flown
But when she entered Mrs. Elliotts
door how still, how apart from hurry it
was. There was a murmur Of voices in
the parlor. There was the perfume Of
flowers, the hushed step on soft carpets,
the gentle voice OF the lady's maid.
And up in Mrs. Elliott's room katherine
at length viewed her costume.
She was pleased. Her figure was tall
and slender, her dress fell in heavy,
lustrous folds; her gloves, her hand
kcrchief, her flowers well, il was the
possible Katherine Wright made real.
She did not regret .he gray beaver and
she had one moment of perfect unal.
loyed satisfaction in her own appear.
ance. Then she went downstairs. II
seemed to her that her train gave her a
new movement. II she had beon but
seventeen she could not have been moro
content.
She noticed, however, that there we're
but few legislative hats on tho hall
table, but she was not sorry. She was
not displcased, because she was not tho
last to arrive.
In the long and brilliant parlor
group OF ladies' stood talking to some
gentlemen, and among them she saw
the tall figure of Judge Roberts. When
she entered Mrs. Elliot looked up in
surprise. She did not recognize this
elegant girl, aud then sho came for.
ward, and as she greeted her whispered,
lyon are Just lovely r.
Katherine looked down the room,
and her hostess laughed.
"Oh, they have not come yet. They !
are not punctual, but We can wait"
But they never did comei Not a
single member of the Legislature came
that afternoon TO hear about the legal |
status OF women in regard to the
Board Of Street Inspectors" Every |
one else was there. The committee Of
ladies, the gentlemen invited to meet |
them; the graceful and persuasive |
speaker who was to convince them, but |
not a legislator.
Some Of The ladies said they must be !
basbful, and some said they feared tho |
weather, and the gentlemen declared /
the proper refreshments had not been !
promised, and when hali-past 4 came
Judge Roberts said in o low tone to
Katherine that she was right in her es-
innate of :he relative Importance OF |
hats and arguments, and 30 took his
leave.
In the evening the Judge went back
in hta oa3co ard nm Aha vsav ha .aox,,,cd |
to see Katherine and to condole with
her. He found her sitting in front OF
the fire. Her bonnet lay on the table.
She still wore her velvet dress and she
looked tired.
lyon have not been in long7' he
said. glancing at one gloved hand.
"No. staid to dinner with Mrs.
Elliot"