The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-03-14

ned, and the young sisters 10 be nre-
pared each day for school, and the twin
boys = nothing to speak Of in point Of
years, but perfect Methuselahs in mis-
chief g be looked after from morning
until night, and winter wardrobes "a he
made, and a thousand and one other
things TO be done.
And then madame fell sick, and all
the time Viola could spare she spent at
her bedside. Time that had much bet
ter be spent at home" scolded her step
mother, "for there's a servant there. and
one servant is enough to take care of
two such houses as that and their mis-
tresses too, sick or well. / have no SER
want"
. You have me" Viola could have re-
piled, "and no servant ever worked hard
er or for less wages" but she set her
lips firmly together, and said nothing
But she rose earlier than ever thereafter
that she might not leave undone the
slightest of her tasks, and thus merit no
reproach for the few hours each day she
gave her dear old friend.
And now madame was getting we'll
and, with the strength Of her strong ser.
vant-maid could go from room to room
but she was best satisfied as yet to lie in
the wee parlor on the lounge before the
big window.
And here Viola made her appearance
the day the roses were beckoning, with
a merry greeting, and dish Of luscious
Strawberries smothered in cream; but in
spite OF the merry greeting there was
hint of shadow on her bonny face that
did not escape madame's keen black
eyes,
Tell me about it, DEAR" she said, in
her sweet trembling voice"
Viola knelt beside her. "You must
be fairy, madame" she said efor none
butts fairy could have guessed that was
a little sorry to-day. And for such
trihing cause I'm ashamed to speak of
it." But theoll lady insisting with gem
tie persistence, she began: 1T is bali
| / would like togoto, but cannot. have
never been to ball, and this one-you
remember the young lady who boarded
at our house last summer, with her
father and sister"
And brother, !" suggested madame.
.And brother repeated Viola, never
lowering her frank blue eyes, but blush
/ ing from the tipof her round chin to the
curls shading her fair low brow. "Well,
she and were good friends then, but /
never dreamed she would remember me
after she went away, for he--she mean
lis rich, and ! am poor, and our ways in
| life lie very, very far apart. But she
has not forgotten me. See, madame,
/ 70 on, ~ n l,oIl - l.
on her nineteenth birthday at her aunt's
house, only few miles away. And
and her brother signs it too He writes
a handsome hand, does he not mad
ame~
| "a strong, handsome hand, my dear,
and he is strong, manly fellow. lido not
forget the messages he used to bring me
from you, and deliver with such courtly
grace. You must 60 to the ball"
ooh, madame, it is impossible. /
n could not 60 If itwere to bethe simplest
!. Of parties, and tits to be a fancy dress.
have nothing to wear You know the
crops failed last year on account OF the
: drought. But what folly for me to let
so slight a thing distress me for mo-
ment, when all at home have health and
strength, and you are fast getting wellp'
For which we should be--and no
doubt we are--devoutly thankful" said
the old lady, "and all the more reasons
why you shouldgo to the ball. You said
just now | must be afairy. will prove
, my right to the title by being a fairy god
mother. You did not know that my
! name was Violet. Take the key you
: will find under the clock on the mantle
and open the ottoman that stands yon
! DER
"Open the ottoman, madamew
"Yes; it is simply chest in disguise
! and in it lies your ball dress"
1.-THE lid Of the disguised chest was
raised, a long box was lifted out and
opened. An exclamation Of delight
burst from Viola's lips. There lay {
satin dress Of creamy whiteness 1t un-
: folded into a miracle of old-fashioneC
I loneliness. Purple yiolets we're scatter
' ed here and there upon the scant skirt, al
though dropped from some careless hand
!, and the pulled sleeves and short wais
0 we're made Of wealth of amber-hueC
r lace. And then came large quain
y fan Of sandal-wood and peacock feathers
necklace of pearls, high tortoise
!, shell comb, and a pair of satin shoe
with low fat heel and and queer pointe'
Q toes.
y "But you never mean that / shoul'
6 wear these, madameT' said Viola.
"That l do, most surely" said mad
anne, gayly. 81 wore them, child, man.
9 wears ago and now another Violet need
y them. There is fate in it. And vii
puta spell upon them, and who knows
they may help you win true lover a
r they did me-"
"But the shoes, madame-they are to
d small, I'm sure"
o cry them, my dear"
le Viola slipped one on. at bind
&c across the instep," said she.
A. "Take the scissors and cut it. then"
ie "Oh, madame it would spoil it then.
20 "Do as bid you. Fairy godmotheI
IL must be obeyed. Now take the rosettt
n, still remaining in the box, and taste
one over each shoe to hide the damal
&c done"
to And with the beautiful rosettes
ID satin and lace, ~" encircled in sec
4 pearls in the centre of each, hiding Il
be gaps the scissors had made, the toilet w