The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-04-12
Elsie's Three Offers.

4l404O - III CC VAC1 D.
The last touch was given to the dainty
toilet, and escaping from the hands oil
mamma and maid little Elsie Baird
went slowly down the polished stairs,
buttoning the last glove as she went.
"Just a little while more and it will
begin" she thought "What fun it is
Co be grown upl 1 am glad now that
mamma wouldn't let me go to the Roger
ball in the spring. It's great deal
nicer to have my own the very first, and
not-Ohi" with a sudden scream of de-
light, as the turn of the landing brought
intoview the hall below, lamp-hung and
howev- -festooned, with orange trees aud
white-budded laurestines yelling the
corners; and screening the musicians
stand tall bank of fair and se.red
cam lliaa 10 which Cousin Robert and
the gardener were at this moment puttinp
the last touches. ALI these wonders had
been evoked since Elsie went upstair
for her preparatory nap. No wondersht
cried, "Ohw
"it IS fairy-land It is too beautiful
to be true l. she called down over the
balustrade.
"Just So" responded her cousin from
below" quite too beautiful to be true" "
looking admiringly at the slender
vision in Heecy white as it came sweep
ing down, and, noting each point, the
dimpled shoulders, the tender bloom,
the fuffs of golden hair which played
around that sweetest face, in which child
and woman seemed to blend so won
derfully. swell, Elsie, ] call that we'll
got up. What three bouquets How
are you going to manage with them all,
may l ask y
"Do look nice p 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
fun?- about the bouquets, mean. They
all came while was asleep. This big
one is from Harry Blount Did you
ever see such n monsterP He must
have cut every flower in his mothers
greenhouse. And such note as came
with it! Dear Elsie, wear it for my
sake Now, Cousin Robert, imagine
my wearing such thing p
"It is rather like prize cabbage,
remarked Robert, surveying the huge
bouquet with q critical eye, "Well
who sent the others?"
"This one l am really proud of, y
said Elsie, dimpling with satisfaction
Major Strange sent it, and it's exactly
like the bouquets which all the Other
girls have, and makes me feel really anG
truly grown up; only it is pity thai
none of the flowers have any stems. AnG
I hate those wires; they look so cruel.
" And the third, which you are hold
ing so tight2"
s. Now that one really is remarkable,
said Elsie, blushing not a little
"Mamma would hardly believe it. Set
how exquisite it is all white rosebuds
with Just this little border of heliotropt
to give a color. So appropriate-don'
you think SOP"
Highly appropriate to a child'l
funeral" remarked her cousin, grimly
"You needn't show the card; know
the fellow"
ST don't believe you've guessed righf
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 anC
mamma, but it's great fun all the same
Bouquets, and engaged already for the
german What will come next ? CousiI
Robert, what if l should have an offer 7
"Do you particularly want one to
night, Midget ?"
"Oh, no, not to night; but some da.
I think it would be nice to have one
Now what shall / do with my flowers
I can't carry them all"
Its rather like Goals to Newcastle
to give you another when you can't dis
pose of those you have already" sait
Robert. "Still, here's a posy which
had brought you myself"
"Charming cried Elsie, throwing
her fragrant load ON table and seizinl
the dewy mass of scarlet bloom whicl
he held out. "You always hit on jus
the incest thing. These are the onl
ones that look at all we'll with my dress
See /" h olding the flowers against he
snowy bodice with great effect "Mayn'
carry these, Robin dear ?? coaxingly
~ INN so much the best"
Robin dear" damuWod, thouol