The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-03-29

Q delightful affair, at which there we're
pretty dresses, and music, and beaux,
and ice cream. But only the young
ladies OF the graduating class
were usually allowed the felicity
of attending them. And, oh,
what longing and envy stirred the souls
of the Younger girls as they watched the
toilet preparations of their more fortu-
nate schoolmates. Their rooms were
always thronged by the small misses
while they dressed, for it was pleasure,
though tantalizing one, to see the gay
dresses and the furbelows donned. Now,
Belle Archer, as a reward for good
scholarship, had received permission to
he present at one OF the wonderful par.
ties, though she was In the second class;
and her head was so full of the dress she
was to wear and the sensation she was
sure she would make, that she had for
gotten that there was such person as
Pickles in existence.
But Pickles had not forgotten her.
She listened eagerly to every word she
said, as she described the dress which
her mother had sent her to Weir to the
party, and talked about the song she was
going to sing to Monsieur Pienots &C.
compartment.
That evening after study hours. she
invited five or six of the girls into her
room to see her dress, and Pickles, hap
pening to pass the door, she called her
in also. The dress was spread out on
the bed-a bright, pink tarletan, with
founces and bows and ruchings; and if
it had not been before the reign of paniers
you may be sure it would have had
panier, for Belle was not to be outdone
by anybody in point of style.
All at once, while they were admiring
it, one of the girls uttered startled cry.
Peering in at the door she had seen a
pair of glistening eyes; the semi dark
ness of the hall made the face indistinct.
81 guess it was that old Metche; she is
always spying about" said Belle, impa-
tiently. "She is afraid somebody will
eat her dear Pickles up, if she doesn't
keep watch ever her."
The gIittering eyes had disappeared.
but Pickles went out of the room with an
anxious face. The next evening the
party was to take place.
Instead of peppers, Pickles ate sweet
meats that morning; and, as Belle passed
her desk, she offered some of them to
her-candied dates, citron, and burnt
almonds. She had tooth for sweets
as what school girl has not?-and con-
sumed them all before recess, before Miss
Sands very eyes, by a slight of hand
which long practice imparts to most
school girls.
1t was curious to see with what rest
less, anxious eyes Pickles watched her
while she ate.
AS soon as the bell rang for recess,
Belle rose quickly to her feet.
81 am so faint and crazy I want to
get into the fresh air." she said.
But, Just outside the school.room door,
she tainted. Miss Sands rushed down
from the desk and caught her in her
arms. And as she lay there, still and
white as death, with the frightened girls
crowding around, Pickles cried out,
in q strained, terror stricken voice.
80. she is dead-she is dead-and
have killed her ~
The girls all thought she must be be-
side herself.
belle has been eating confectionery,
said Kitty Thatcher, "and it must have
hurt her."
Where did she get the confectionery
asked Miss Sands.
Il gave it to err" said Pickles. "and
Metche had put poison in it, She said it
was something that would hurt her only
for a little while--so that she couldn't
go to the party tonight. Metche knows
all about qaeer Indian drugs; and L
she had tormented me so that was
almost crazy or l shouldn't have done
it,
The girls looked horror-stricken, and
shrank away from Pickles. Miss Sands
had been sprinkling Bellies face with
cold water, and holding vinaigrette to
her nostrils, and now she slowly opened
her eyes. They carried her to her room
and sent for physician, while Miss
Sands took Pickles aside and learned the
whole story from her.
For two or three days. Bellies life was
in danger, and for weeks she was very ill,
and at Pickles earnest entreaty she was
allowed to take care of her; and never
was a more faithful and devoted nurse.
She was truly penitent, and Madame La
Merit thought her fright and suffering
had been punishment enough; and she
did not think Belle by any means
blameless.
Poor Miss Walsingham has no
mother madame said to the young
ladies', "and that woman's influence has
been very hurtful. There is ii great deal
of excuse fer her." And then followed q
severe reprimand for the "unkind and
unladylike" way in which she had beer
treated by some of them, and a recon-
incubation that different course Of con-