Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-25

NOR that the majors own man put those tails in
curl-papers every night. They had the air Of
spoiled children. every one. and were, evidently,
the majors pets. But that didn't matter; they
had ruined Miss Lyddy's wedding gown, to say
nothing Of other aggravating exploits which do
not belong to this story. and was determined
to have satisfaction out of their owner
found the major sitting on his piazza with
an after-dinner look upon his handsome, good
HUNDRED face. He rose to greet me with an
air OF old-school politeness. dashed with a faint
wonder that l., woman, should have
had the hardihood to approach place 80 little
| frequented by women.
'Good evening, Miss Grace am happy to
| see you. In what can have the honor to serve
yOu?"
He had read my face and knew that had
| come on a mission
major Hawthorne" said, paying no atten-
ton to his offer of chair, II have come on q
very painful Grand"
"sit down, madam" said the major. politely.
II cannot possibly permit lady to stand on
my piazza. l ought, perhaps, to ask you to
walk in, but it is rather stufy inside, this even
ing
NO." said. 81 will sit here, II you please {"
To tell you the truth. indoors. as seen through
the windows. had not the most inviting look,
and was glad to compromise.
"IOu have no doubt heard"-plunging in me-
dias res, that Miss Lydia Ludkins is about to
be married."
Married! Miss Lydia! No! Hadn't heard
word of it," said the major, in genuine amaze
ment. who is the fortunate man, pray?"
'The Rev. Nehemiah AppeblOom, mis-
| siOnary to the Micronesan islands, who has
come home to recruit his health and find q
wife"
IL know him." said the major "Saw him
down at the station-a long, lean lank indi-
vfdual-just fit for his vocation; no temptation
whatever to cannibals! But what the deuce is
he going to do with Miss Lydia? What will
Balaam's Corners do without her?"
''Balaams Corners must do the best it can. :"
I saidp-I fear a little sharply-for my mind was
still in most aggressive state toward the
major
''They are to be married next week. and"
What will become Of the 'ancestors?'" inter-
pOlated the major in whom surprise seemed to
have gotten the better of habitua politeness
"Oh. she has made arrangements with Mr..
Crow about that"
"Just like her Dear, faithful girl"
The major had all his life loved all the sex
not one-and was not to be beguiled by this
| show of feeling.
''She had set her heart upon being married in
her grandmOthers wedding gown"
"Old Mrs. Captain Simon? remember her
well. mighty fine woman. She never VIC Id
have gone to the ends of the earth with q r,is-
| sonary. It's the crazest scheme ever hear'
or"
began to fear should never get to my er-
ut was put out on the grass to bleach. beir -
little yellow with age. It was q lovely emil o.
dered India muslin that the old captain brought
home from India himself"
How well remember him in nv boyhood! A
Jolly old soul! A granddaughter OF his 20 off to
the Cannibal islands to be eaten up by savages!
/ won't have It'll"
''Her heart is set upon going" continued.
THE wedding gown was put out to bleach and
this very afternoon those little Berkshire pigs of
yOurs-they are nuisance to the whole neigh
bOrhood, majOr-tramped and rooted it to pieces,
30 that it is utterly ruined"
Little black rascals!" said the major, with
chuckle behind his neckclOth.
"And have come. without her knowledge to
tell you OF 1t, because was sure that. under the
circumstances, gentleman Of your breeding
would feel in honor bound to make some repair
alton to Miss Lydia"
The major unused and looked at his boot for
moment in silence.
Miss Grace" he said at length, 81 thank
you tor the service you have rendered me in
this matter. Will you have the goodness to say
to Miss Ludkins. with my compliments, that
shall do myself the honor to wait upon her to-
morrow at 10 o'clock. to adjust this unfortunate
| matter? beg in the meantime that she will
give herself as little solcitudc for, though can
not restore the ancient and venerated dry goods
will do the best that is possible under the cir
cumstances to make the loss good"
He bowed over my hand and the audience
was evidently concluded. Was satisfied? No.
indeed! What woman would not have felt
wrOnged to be left at the end of mission Of
doubt and uncertainty as this2 But l was
obliged to 60 home. Nevertheless and wait as
patiently as l could TOR the stroke of 10 next
morning.
Glory had been in hearing when the message
had been delivered to Miss Lyddy, and She too,
was on the watch. At last she scudded in from
the hedge, her worries all aglisten. and her eyes
wide open and full of rather incomprehensible
mirth.
Hes a-comin'," she said, land such sight"
Al m a no pQf oli akod nd
walk strobe, indeed, most astonishing figure.
The major had gotten himself up into a CONT
mental suit, which he must have fshed out Of
the unknown depths of the ancient attics Of
fles at the wrist, knee-breeches, white satin
waistcoat, slippers with shoe buckles powdered
wig and cooked hat He vas six feet tall pOrtly
and well formed. and he looked every inch q
signer OF the declaration at the very least. He
was followed by his cOlOred man, who carried q
large brown paper parcel,
Hes come a-courtin' missus," said Glory;
rye can see it In his face"
had not the instinct Of Glory, and doubted;
but what his errand was was dying to know.
But he disappeared into Miss Lydia's parlor
and was left outside to temper my impotence
as best could. Presently Glory entered on tip
toe.
'Missus. missus," she whispered 'de dos
swung open jes de leas' crack, an It's jes' oppo-
site de big murror; an If ye come out here in de
ball We can see 1t all in de murror as plain as
day. an it's heap better'n ay"
1t was temptation, but believe me, dear
reader, resisted It. Only as Glory ran back to
her peeping followed to pull her away and
send her out of doors-that was simply nv
duty-and there he was full on his knees before
her, and she with that rapt, seraphic look upon
her face which no woman ever wears except on
the most vitality interesting OCCASIONS But,
Glory disposed Of went back to my sewing
and waited as best could the conclusion of the
mOmentous interview. The major came out at
length, as smiling as May morning, leaving
the brown paper parcel behind him.
1t was very still in Miss Lydia's room tor a
quarter OF an hour, and then she too, emerged
from her retreat Spread over her hands was a
gown Of cream-cOlored brocade embellished with
the loveliest roses in full bloom, with blue
forget-me-not trailing here and there among
them. 1t had an ample waist, elbow sleeves.
and train yard and half long
my dear Grace" said she, 1.-THE major has
brought me his mothers wedding gown to be
married i'm
1T is beautiful, said; 'but who is to be the
bridegroom?'
She smiled as angels do, and looked afar; q
delicate futter Of pink hung out in her cheek to
deprecate her recreancy. as she whispered In q
tone OF gentle but c0nsummate triumph: 1.-THE
major himself Didn't he look grand In his knee
breeches?"