Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-01-23
RECEIVING CALLS.

am sure that papa would let me- Il liz
was here. ard toiU y
Alexia stood in the middle OF the
floor, with her fluffy golden hair falling
ever her eyes, her cheeks glowing
mild pink, aud her whole persone)le
indicative of resolve and determination
10 the EXTREMIST degree.
Mrs. Ardell looked at her IN despair
The Two Mi, ses Scarlett, her daughters
by former marriage, and AleSia's
not particularly beloved step-sisters,
sat as stiff ard prlm as two carved
marble images. 'Alexla's temper"
was proverblal in the family, and these
very proper anu precisely behaved
youpg women were wont TO affect the
greatest dismay at her vehement gusts.
'Alexia,' SAID Mrs. Ardell solemnly,
in your dear papa's absence il is my
duty 10 enforce bis percepts, and carry
out hi, discipline. You are a great
deal 100 young to receive visitors on
New Years Day, like Vereua Ermen-
garde. You are 10 60 back to board
ing-school TO morrow
'Butv cried Alexia. in dismay, my
holidays do not expire until Wednes-
day.
That is very true,' said Mrs. Ar
dell. comprising her thin lips TO a
mere slit; consequently, you can see
how far you have abridged your own
period OF recreation by your ungovern-
able will
Altxia, forgetting all about the six
teen years, and the long dresses, burst
into loud weeping.
Pray. Alexia, don't be so silly said
Verena.
One would Think tartlY spoke up
Ermengarde, that you we're a child oil
ten years old. Of course, it is all Tor
your own good
MY own fddlesticks y irreverently
interrupted Alexia, as she fled from the
apartment in floods OF undlgulied
tear5.
But plumbers are certain 20 conquer,
in the long run; and so Judge Ardelps
daughter was packed remorsely of TO
boarding school, and Mrs. Ardell'S two
girls returned to their consultations
with the dressmaksr for the grand gala
day Of the year.
Verena. a palhd blonde, with cold
wstery-blue eyes, and cOlorless faxen
hair, was to wear blue damask, en-
proidered around the skirt in palm
leaves Of seed pearls.
Ermtugarde. who had little more
bloom, and venlursd to call herself
brunette, had chosen pink satin, with
cloudlike draperies Of black lace; while
the matron herself, no bad exemplh
cation of the poets idea of fiat. faiE
and forty," was to wear ruby velvet
richly trimmed with point splique lace
and q diamond cross, which, 10 the abb
sence of her husband, she had hireC
from al accommodating ieweler for the
occasion.
While Alexia-poor, heart-broker
child,-was sent rulhlesslY 10 the de-
pot, where Miss Gardiner, the govern
ess. was telegraphed to meet her.
But Miss Gardiner, as 1t auced,c
did not receive the message in time
and was not there; and Mr.. Herber
Helullyn was there!
Alexa knew him very well. She
had seen him once at her stepmother's
He owned a brown stone house, front
Ing on the Central Park, and place
near Lake George, called Helullyr
Hall. He drove a pair Of superb, high
stepping horses, and owned private
picture gallery; and Ermengarde Scar
lett had rejected him as the special tar
get for the arrows of her hazel eyes
this season.
MIR. Helullyn recognized Alexia a
once.
Miss Scarlett's little sister, isn't it !?
said he.
Alexia furtively whisked away hel
tears, and answered:
Yes
is anything the matter?' said Mr.
Helullyn. Can be of service Pray
command me, if
IF you ceuld please take me home !
said eager Alexia. Very slyly indeed
mind !-because I'vs been sent bacl
to boardlng-school before The holidays
are out, just because Verena, Ermen
garde, and mamma consider me loC
| little 10 see company Oh New Year.
dav.'
This is serious trouble indeed y sale
Mr.. Helullyn, laughing.
'Oh, it is, indeedn sighed Alexia
Il an sixteen, you know, and | should
so like to be young lady, like Verens
and Ermengarde but you see.' return
ing to the subject, Mise Gardiner is
not here TO receive me, and If yor
would please take me back in your
carriage. would creep in by tue area
gate, and perbaps-perbaps, l shall be
at bome' on New Years Day, after
all But her large, dark eyes sudden
ly blazing into indignation, you are
laughing at me!
Not laughing at you, Miss Ardell.
he FASTENED TO sxplais-'only with
youv
Miss Ardellp
Alexla's heart leaped al this delic-
lous tribute TO her young lady hood,
She felt prouder still when Mr.. Helull-
l,n helped her into his carriage and they
drove away.
Leave me at the corner of the street,
| nlooee eaid AleYia sTt uould naver