The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-07-05

but she was gone, and only distant
Ilutter Of pink could be seen through
the trees.
"lere's a basket for you, Eleanor"
said her aunt, coming outof the draw
ing-room with a flushed face, as she
went down stairs, at has just been
brought over from Wilton by one of
Lord Canterbury's grooms, lam sure
there's some mistake about it, bat you
must open it, as it is addressed to
you"
with eager fingers Nella undid
the fastonings, raised the lid, and re-
moved layers of cotton wool and silver
paper Then cry of delight burst
from her lips. An exquisite bouquet
of white 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 comph-
ments," was pinned on to the first
ooh, aunt, isn't it beautifully" ex-
claimed Nella ecstatically, but Mrs,
Spence walked out of the room with a
thunder cloud on her brow,
At dinner it seemed as if storm
was brewing, but Nolla had great diff
ticulty in keeping still, for her limo
cent young heart was trimming over
with joy. He had thought OF her
among all his fine friends, and remem.
bered her simple dress without trim
ming
Eleanor, ] want to speak to you,
said her aunt sharply, as soon as DIES,
sert was over "come into the drawing
ROOM"
Nella followed her in fright. Mrs
Spence had not been particularly kind
to her, but she could not be SO wicked
as to prevent her going to the ball
Her heart nearly stopped beating al
the thought.
81 have been thinking the matter
over" said Mrs. Spence grayoly, a.
she seated herself on the sofa, "ant
your uncle and | have come to Tho
conclusion that it will be better FOL
you not to wear those flowers to
night"
"Not wear them?" her brown eye
opsning wide in dismay.
"No; we consider that you mus
have behaved in a forward and unla
dylike manner in order to induce Lore
Wilton to take such liberty as t
send them! We do not blame him
but we blame you, because, Of course
a man will always do that sort o
thing if a girl encourages him."
81 never encouraged him." stamp
ing her foot.
Eyes, my dear Eleanor, you did
He has known Elizabeth and Clar
ever since he was a boy, but he ha
never taken such liberty with then
Now don't cry, or you will spoil you
appearance" f
~ don't care. won't go to the ba
at ALL"
Nonsense, child, you must. Go Il
stairs to your room and compose YOU
self, and I'll send out into the garde
for a rose"
Nella went up stairs, but there he
obedience ended, for she threw herse
on her bed and burst into a passion {
tears. There she was still when Clan
knocked ut her door and asked if sh
might have the boquet as it would G
so well with her dress. 'a sA
"Good gracious, Nell, the ,carriag
will be round in half an hour" 81
cried in dismay, as she went out of til
room with the flowers in her hand.
AS soon as she was gone, Nella g
up and bathed her eyes with eau-d
Cologne, arranged her sunny ha
! with the utmost care, and scramble
into her dress with the housemMd
help. Then she tossed aside the re
rose which her aunt had sent her, al
/ detaching a lovely white bud and
t spray Of lilies from the wreath, pinn(
them on her shoulder.
] Mrs. Spence noticed the chanl
when she came down stairs, b
e thought it best to make no remar
r lest another burst of tears might
the consequence.
n The two sisters looked gorgeor
but nothing could make them lot
pretty; while Nella, in her simr
t dress, cut them out completely.
: Her heart beat fast as they we
marshaled through the spacious HI
i, into the brilliantly-lighted room whe
Lady Canterbury was standing
o receive her guests.
g The countess gave her a plcasa
if smile and hearty shake of the han
then Nclla slipped behind her cousil
casting shy glance around. She h
& never been in such splendid see
II before, and the flash of jewels on {
cry side seemed to dazzle her,
Is Mr.. hyperion, a tall curate, cal
up and talked to Elizabeth. Mr.. M,
lg way, young barrister, asked Gil
err after her brother, but no one motto