The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-07-14
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THE BELLE OF THE SEASON

THE BELLE OF THE SEASON
1T will be the best ball of the season
it always is" So said Lady Macgregor al
she laid down two great square cards OF
which were invitations to herself, her sister
in-law, and her two nieces for the Dragons
ball.
II hardly think Efie ought to 90 to it,
replied Mrs Macgregor, Effie's mother
doubtfully.
'sNot 90, mamma ~ exclaimed Effie from
distant window in the drawing-room
''Why, nothing would induce me to miss
| itro
"Oh, surely she may put in Hester
'Let her enjoy herself while she can"
! ''Of course assented Etfie.
"Of course echoed Lady Macgregor.
And from that time Mrs Macgregor
made no further objections, and Fife rev
elled in the prospect of her first military
| ball.
1t was to be "ball of balls, SURPRISING
anything that had ever before been given
! in Edinburg-so rumor said The officers
were all rich, all comparatively young, all
dancing men, and there were no married
ones to throw cold water upon the eXtrava-
gances which were to be perpetrated with
regard to the entertainment.
1t created sensation long before it took
place amongst the dressmakers-for even
shallow purses had to open widely to do
honor to it. No shabby dresses must ven
ture to show themselves on the eventful
evening; and many were the anxious con-
sultations as to what would be the prettiest
and most effective costume to invent for
the occasion.
/ This ball was to be held in the Assembly
Rooms and Music Hall, two adjoining and
beautiful saloons connected by a corridor
the last spot generally well patronized
between the dances at such gatherings.
The Dragons meant to do justice as en-
tertainers. What the fair guests-to-be now
had to consider was their own appearance,
each one resolving to do her utmost to daz-
zle the hosts and captivate them if she
could
In the privacy of many dressing rooms
this question was frequently y asked: "What
will Effie Macgregor wear?'
But no one could solve the mystery, sim
ply because Miss Macgregors attire was
not being manufactured by any fashionable
modiste, but by the clever fingers Of Mrs
Macgregor and her elder daughter, Hester
who never considered their time had beer
wasted when spent upon service for Ellie
the younger daughter, just then little
over nineteen, and so fair to see that by
common consent she was the acknowledged
belle of the season.
Mrs. Macgregor was the widow Of ba
ronets third son, of unexceptionable pedi
gree, but poor, and proud as well. She
had hitherto lived most retired life in the
Highlands, eking out her narrow income
with praiseworthy skill, and, when Hestel
grew up, even contriving, with her assis
tance, to save trife in anticipation of thu
time when her beautiful Effie should ''com'
out" when she knew some extra expense
must be provided for.
Hester was three-and-twenty-a bright
faced, pleasant, sensible girl, with no pre-
tensions to prettiness, but ladylike and re
fined. For her no effort had ever beer
thought necessary; and she was SO thorough
ly unselfish that she never gave though
to what others might have considered th
preference shown to her sister. Ever sine
Efie had been a baby, Hester had beel
like little mother to her; and, as he
charms expanded, the elder sisters pride
in them had partaken of the same charac
ter-to be Jealous of Efie never entered
her imagination When Lady Macgregor
their uncles wife, wrote to Mrs. Macgre
cor, and advised her to bring her daughter
to Edinburgh, Mrs. Maceregor and Heste
agreed that the time was come to trencl
upon their small savings. For Effie mus
be well dressed, she must have every al
vantage decision which pretty, wiltu
Fife, with her sapphire eyes, delicate tip
tilted nose, and sweet smiling lips, was in
disposed to dispute.
Lady Macgregor invited her relatives
her handsome house in Moray Place, an
shortly after their arrival their gaities be
gan: and almost Immediately the heads Q
at least dozen of the manageable youth
of Edinburg were completely turned b
the rare beauty of Miss Efie Macgregor.
Lady Macgregor was glad that she ha'
asked her sister-in-law to come to Mora
Place with her daughters. Mrs. Macgre
cor had foreseen great admiration for Eth
but the adulation she received far surpass
ed her most sanguine expectations. He:
ter was delighted. Only one thing tror
bled her-no one yet had appeared wh
was good enough for Efie. EAie herse
was Slightly spoiled by it all. She enjoye
her triumphs intensely. She rejoiced ov'
the bouquets that were sent to her, an
the homage that was paid to her. Atte
. the quiet home-life at lnverardoch Glel
: the whirl of the Edinburgh season was el
, chanting to the simple country-bred girl
Some weeks previous to the Dragoon
ball an admirer had attached himself to tt
train of Miss Efie Macgregor, in the shal
c of Mr.. George Duff, a good-looking your
Scotchman with some property of his ow
and about two thousand year. lie pa
/, Effie marked attention, which she receive
with a demure satisfaction; and her less IL
portant admirers shrank back with one a
cord from any attempt to compete with tn
eligible candidate for the pretty Miss Ma
gregor's favor.