Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-05-25
THE DELORME PARTY.


season is Madame Delorme's recep-
ton"
Ariadne rolled ND her pale, blue
ewes. in the direction OF the gas
fixtures.
Yes" in rapturous assent, 1T will
indeed be delightful. Such distln-
guished. cultured people as one al
ways meets in her parlors. Men and
women. with minds infinitely elevat-
ed above the sordid and carking cares
of domestic life, with souls which
hold communion with the unex
pressed in art, and yearn for
'Corned beef and cabbage" chimed
in voice in the doorway. THAT was
the best could get from the butchers
this morning, Ariadne. Porterhouse
steak is eighteen cents a pound, and
mutton chop is too wasteful.'
And the small figure. in the shabby
gray cloak and maroon colored hood,
came forward into the big, bare sit
ting room, and laid down her market
basket with a sigh of relief.
"Wilhelminar' interrupted Ariadne
in angry irritation.
"Williew exclaimed kindlier lisa
dora. in faint protestation.
"What?" asked Willie, who had di-
vested herself of her wraps, and was
playing with the kitten on the rug be
fore the fire; but just then though:
struck her, and she looked up in con
science-stricken remorse. "Would
you rather had bought a roast OF
pork?"
Their eyes met despairingly.
mo-" explained Isadora, I'VE were
only shocked at your bursting into
the room so suddenly. These light
ming exits and entrances jar ones
nerves so. Besides, you interrupted
Ariadne."
"rm SO glad it isn't the pork! Elk
cuse me, Ariadne"
And she went placidly back to the
ball of wool and the kitten.
They were not what is called swell
off," the Dalrymples; in point of fact
they were decidedly the reverse
There had been time when Dial
rymple pere was considered quite ;
magnate in mercantile Boston circles
But some years ago financial land
slide had swept him off his feet, an(
he had been ever since, fgurativel.
speaking, striving to regain them
They still lived in the house which
had known them in the days of thei
prosperity, and desperately endeav
ored to keep up appearances. 10
certain extent they succeeded, ant
also, to a certain extent were social,
recognized.
Annually, for few weeks previou
to Mrs. Delorme's reception, they
from motives of economy, dispensed
with hired domestic help. And thi
year just as they were beginning thei
enforced wrestle with dinners ant
busters and ''rough-dry" ironing
their cousin from the country CAM
to pay them "a visit. To them, il
their tribulation, a little rustic ange
was Willie West.
"Give me the broom. I'll do tn
marketing-Pll sweep" she had said
the first morning of her arrival; SIN
used to it."
And she was; for her father wa
only scholarly, shiny coated, hard
working minister, in not over fer
vent or over generous corner of Con
necticut.
But sometimes Ariadne, who wa
thirty one and aesthetic, lost patienc
with blooming Willie, who was six
teen and prosaic. And this crisp
clear February morning the milk o
human kindness was ever soured TO
her.
"What shall you wear?" asked lisa
dora.
"What can I wearw snappe,
Ariadne.
Your navy blue silk, with the oil
rose point"
cts been turned twice. What ar
you going to wear?"
Il! Oh, I'll make over the div
satin again"
you're easily contented, Isadora
You have no lofty conceptions or am
bitions."
"No," assented Isadora, meekly
"but I'm a bit of philosopher TO
all that. When I can't get what
want, I want what l can get"
Willie, ignoring the kitten, was sit
ting erect on the rug, and listenin,
with all her ears. Her round childisl
face was full of wonder, and Their
was pretty pink color in either vel
vety cheek.
Il wish I could gov she sighed
wistfully.
"Wel, you'll wishv' barked Ariadne
Therosy lips dropped despondently
Gould we manage it, Ariadne?
timidly questioned Isadora. CIV
might get her an invitation if sh
cares so much to go. And then there
that piece of embroidered India mus
lin-only ten yards, but she's small
"Isadora Dalrymple, what are yo1
talking about! She go to Madam
Delo1me's reception!-she?"
Willie's brown eyes flashed up I'm
der their silken fringes.
"Why not?" she demanded.
"Why notg" gasped Miss Dalrympl
in indignant repetition. "What i'm
pertinence! Youl Only disciple
of art attend this most select union
Only active and soulful disciples!
''Then what claim have your
The peach-blossom was deepenin
ominously in Willie's dainty chez
"I-both Isadora and I-are mem
bers of the Mutual Decorative Sc
iety of Storks and Centipedes."
''Ohw
"And your foamed the righteously
wrathful Ariadne, would intrud
where the cause of culture calls. .
little, ignorant, uncultivated, countr
girl"
Willie sprang to her feet.
snow. you cook your own dinner!
she cried, in a burst of childish rag,
''And you'll find out. Cousin Ariadnt
if I'm such horri d, ignorant-o
you'll find outr'
And she ran sobbing from the room
&bo Lo11 ,rl ,,...Lk II.