The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-01-05

hopb MS uOOlo, anu ONeIOoutSi anu 1ulh
ish pipes, had been transformed into a
smilax -garlanded bower, where faint
lights glowed through shades of Nile
green glass, and the most elegant aud
aesthetic refreshments were arranged in
cLErsoNNE enamelled ware, trays of RE
PoUssE silver, and baskets of Dresden
China.
And, just at the time when Ermen-
garde was saying to her sister "How do
l look. dear?' and Verena was twisting
herself into the shape of a letter S, to
see the back of her false pugs and plait-
ings in the mirror, little Alexia was en-
Enthusiastically tossing about the contents
of an old ceier chest in the store-room,
which contained the long forgotten
wardrobe of the first Mrs. Judge Ardell.
'On," she cried, THIS is beautifuln'
and she unfolded scented robe of long
China Grape, crimped like the shingly
bars of the finest sea-sand, and embroid-
cred in fantastic figures Of scarlet silk
"Ill wear this"
But it's so odd and old-fashioned.
miss, said Louisa. the maid.
THAT is the very charm of III" pro-
nounced Alexia. 'Oh, do make haste,
Louisa, with my hair! Are yon suro you
can do it like the plate in the fashion
bookY
Mrs. Ardell was arranging the folds of
the point lace over her shoulders, when
Miss Verena rushed up stairs.
mamma, Ermengarde!" she cried.
"who is the lady down stairs2'
"The lady down stairs?' repeated
both mother aud daughter in amaze
ment.
Receiving Mr.. Helullyn in our draw
ing-roomT' cried breaihless Yerena.
"In the loveliest dead-white dress. Lro-
caded in scarlet silk, aud long golden
hair braided with antique Roman
pearls"
MY DEAR said Mrs. Ardell you must
be crazyw
And both she and Ermengarde hurried
down stairs, just in time 70 see the beau
.iGul young intruder courtesy gracious
greeting to two of the jrunesse doree of
New York.
"Ah!' said Alexia, with the utmost
selfposseSsion, there is mamma now,
aud my sisters. Don't move, Mr.. He
lullyn, she added in lower tone, Il IN
quite safe now. Mamma won't dare to
scold me before company"
And Mrs Ardell and the Misses Scar
lett were forced to digest their rage aud
modification as best they could.
For Alexla outshone them as a real.
crimson-hearted rose outshines the mil
liners false presentiment-as the dia.
mond outshines the wretched paste
ornament-and they knew it but too
we'll.
But success excuses everything, and
Mrs. Ardell could not but p, reeve that
the quaint young beauty, in the antique
dress, was emphatically success.
"Alexia," she cried, when there was
a temporary lulI in the straam of call
ers, how dared you play us such
trick2
Il did it for fun, mamma" said Al
exia. And ii you scold me, shall tell
Mr.. Helullyn. It was he that brought
me back from the depot, and he is my
fiisld."
II never head anything so insolent in
my liie!' cried Ermengar1e Scallett.
turning pale with anger.
'She ought to be locked up for a week
on bread and water" said VerenA pas
sionately. a.. I...s-.
Bot Alexia only arched her eyebrows
and smiled. a tr- 7
During that New Years day the child
had bloomed ont into woman. AltLia
had discovered her own talismAn Of
power.
They could none Of them ever scold
or tyraunize over her again. She had
no more fears Of being sent back to
boarding.school.
But Miss Ermengarde Scarlett could
hardly conceal her spite the next day
when Mr.. Helullyn came to ask Alexia
out TO drive, nor when bouquets with
cards attached, kePt arriving for Alexla.
Mamma" she said. what is to be
donel"
Nothing, that can see, said Mrs.
Ardell, diily. 'rhe child can't help be-
ing a beauty, suppose"
s"She will have 10 60 everywhere with
us now" said Vsrena, plaintively.
II tried my best to keep her back. "