The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1883-05-24
AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.


"Louise,' said Miss Harrison, paus.
ing at the foot of the stairs on her way
through the hall from the kitchen to the
sitting-room. ''Are you readyp | think
hear the sleigh-bells. y
''Oh, auntyr' called back a girlish
voice from bedroom at the head Of the
stairs. 81 haven't even begun to dress.
Do come up and help me, please" "
''My dear child! Why, | supposed
YOU were ready long ago." said Miss
Harrison, as she entered her niece's
room. "What has been the matterPn
81 became so interested in that book, y
replied Louise, indicating with nod a
volume lying on the floor by the table,
that l forgot all about the sleighing
party and as she spoke she caught a
dress from one of the hooks in the
closet, and threw it over he head.
stop, stop said her aunt, .'don't
put on your dress until you change your
skirt Louise. see that the ruffle has
been torn almost all the way around. ~
but pinned it ON again. said the
girl.
"Why did you not sew it?n
7Ol, Huuu tllue. NeNcT ml0u, IL
won't show. can't stop to find another
skirt now.n
"But surely You are going to arrange
your hair, Louise, said Miss Harrison.
1T is in most untidy condition.
Il mussed it lying down on the sofa.
But it will have to do as it is. l haven't
time to fix it now,n and Louise hastily
bl,ttoned her dress and tied a scarf
about her neck. 'I'll put my veil on
and il won't show. Where's my ulster?
Oh, there's the sleigh stopping at the
door now, and she seized her hat and
caught up a pair of gloves lying on the
window sill.
Louise, stop, my dear. "Don't run
off half-dressed. Your shoes are not
even buttoned, and the fingers of those
gloves are all out. Where can l look
for another pairpn
Il don'tknow, I'm sure, ~ hurriedly
answered the girl. "Never mind.
III Keep my hands in my muff," and
tying her veil about her hat she ran
down stairs and out of the front door
before her aunt could utter another
word
by the curbstone large sleigh,
drawn by four powerful horses, stood
waiting. 1t was filed with happy
faced young people, and as Louise ran
uown the steps, q young man pushed
aside the buffalo robes and sprano out
TO meet her, general smile going
round as he did so; for Harry Valiant's
sltehtons to Miss Harrison's niece had
Deen too marked during the past few
weeks to escape notice, and had caused
agood deal of gossip in Briartown.
Harry was general favorite by vir-
Tue ot his wealth, good looks and pleas
ant manners, and he had already ac-
CURED considerable reputation as a
lawyer SO there was large number
OF Young ladies in Briartown Who would
willingly have exchanged places with
louise IN his regard, and who thought
II rather hard that his choice should
HaVe iallen upon one who was compar-
auVely stranger to them all. For
no,lse $ home was in large city sew
eial hundred miles distant, and she was
'smIslng SIT her aunt for the first time.
r. me sleighing party had been ar
banseu Dy the young lawyer in Louise s
noliof, and it proved very important
,tehI IN her life; for, coming home in
tn .ne moonlight, Harry asked and OBJ
saineu .I. her consent TO become his wife.
'uoleet 10 the approval of her parents.
Mlss Harrison was sitting up for her
hieee When at ten o'clock she came in.
a ael eyes sparkling and her cheeks
husled with excitement.
Aunt Margaret she said. throw
ng herself on a hassock at the lady's
tba tfe' am just the happiest giriin
'ue world. Can't You guess whyP''
H.. mink | can, Louise,n said Miss
aLn larson, In low voice. aAfv dear
Iailu, g, you are to be congratulated.
larry Valiant is one of the finest vouno
hleh have ever metz
ieetp' = 49, 'iihk iatner Will OBJ
ro'... Why should he? Think he will be
go Wy s. much pleased that you have done
Har,.,, NJ, AAnrs YOU must try to make
nsrIy nG, happy, Louise. - = - 4 -
ohs sslashall, of course said the
3, a., Win little laugh II will begin
gsn. oaoe % copy after you, Aunt Mar
WON'T. Ssrr., Lon are as nearly perfect as any
woman know
her aunt smiled. fn
pnaI.;5i 90 not think Harry win ind YOU
iisole oniy faaa or exacting,n she said. II
less bst;. T I VII shock him by my care
Won l@s' laas' interrupted Louise. stNow,
inc,t@ia'Wsy AuoW tnat was what you were 90
= = say, Aunt Margaret q 2
coursS sSS'i,einng like that, my dear. OF
home wnen you marry you will live at
never Sal Siln Mrs Valiant. Harry would
tbera 9esert his widowed mother. And
Brisr,a = not neater housekeeper in
N''N'lQWa than she is. I don,t thinlr