Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-07-12

! on, looking DOWN at HtI pms
cambria, "and you'll cut out all
the rest. Mind, the first dance is
for me-"
Il shall look such a fright, that
I shall hide in corner" her heart
fiuttering at something in his eyes.
sThen / shall come and pull you
out. But what's the matter with
the dress :" 1t isn't green, is it y
mo, white; but, oh, SO terribly
simple! Just like a child's."
| 80 much the BETTER" with a
look of relief. "You viii look like
a sweet little snowdrop, amongst
them ALL"
He bent over her and clasping
her hand in his, he raised it to his
tawny moustache. She snatched
it away and sprang to her feet like
a startled fawn, vivid crimson
dyeing her cheeks with a sudden
sunset.
ssNella y he cried, jumping up
as quickly as his long legs would
let him; but she was gone, and but
a distant futter of pink could be
seen through the trees.
"
Here's basket for you, Flea
nora,D said her aunt, coming out of
the dinning-room with flushed
face, as she went down stairs. at
has just been brought over from
Wilton by one of Lord Cantebury's
grooms. I am sure there is some
mistake about it, but you must
open it as it is addressed to you,a
With eager fingers Nella united
the fastenings, raised the lid, and
removed layers of cottonwood and
silver paper. Then cry Of de
light burst from her lips. An ex-
quisite boquet of flowers lay inside
with a lovely wreath, to be pinned
on the shoulder, and hang down to
the skirt. Lord Wilton's card,
"with his compliments" was pin
ned on to the first.
sob, auntie, isn't it beautiful 2"
exclaimed Nella, ecstatically, but
Mrs. Spence walked out Of the
room with thunder-cloud on her
face.
At dinner it seemed as though a
storm was brewing, but Nella had
great difficulty in keeping still for
her innocent, young heart was
trimming over with JOY. He had
thought Of her amongst all his fine
friends, remembered her simple
dress without trimming.
"Eleanora, I want to speak to
you,n said her aunt, sharply, after
dessert was over; "come into the
drawing room"
| Nella followed her in fright.
Mrs. Spence had not been particu-
larly kind to her, but she could
not be SO wicked as to prevent her
going to the ball. Her heart
nearly stopped beating at the
! thought.
81 have been thinking the mat
ter over,n said Mrs. Spence grave
ly, as she seated herself upon the
the sofa, land your uncle and |
have concluded that it would be
better for you not to wear those
flowers tonight 49, nt .'a
'Not wear them?" her brown
eyes opening wide in dismay.
| "No; we consider that you must
have behaved in a forward and
unlady like manner, in order to
induce Lord Wilton to take such q
liberty as to send them, We do
not blame him, but we blame you,
because, of course, q man will al
ways do that sort of thing if a girl
encourages him."
81 never encouraged him y
stamping her foot.
"Yes, my dear Eleanora, you
did. He has known Elizabeth and
Clara since he was a boy, but he
has never taken such liberty with
them Now, don't cry. or you will
spoil your appearance
II don't care. won't go to
| the ball at allD
Nonsense, child, you must. Go
upstairs to your room and com
pose yourself, and TIL send out
into the garden for rose"
| Nella went upstairs, but there
her obedience ended, for she threw
herself upon her bed and burst
into q passion of tears. There
she was still when Clara knocked
/ at the door and asked if she might