Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-01-01

subject, "Miss Gardiner is not here to re
ctive me, and if you would please take me
back in your carriage, would creep in by
the are gate, and perhaps-perhaps,
shall be 'at home on New Years Day, after
all-But, her large, dark eyes suddenly
Blazing into Indignation, ''you are laughing
! az men'
.'Not laughing at YOU. Miss Ardel," he
hastened to explaiil-''onIy with you'll
"Miss Ardellr'
Alexia's heart leaped at this dilicious
tribute to her ladyhood. She felt prouder
! still when Mr.. Helullyn helped her into his
carriage and they drove away.
s'Leave me at the corner Of the street,
please said Alexia. 'It would never Go
for mamma and the girls to see me in your
bcarriage, And Ermengarde would be so
pvexed,''
And SO the little wild gypsy stole in at the
aarea-gate, and bribed the couk with kiss
band string of amber beads, not to betray
Iaer surreptitious rs-entrance into the fami-
Wy circle, while Mr., Helullyn went home to
gwonder what there was so fascinating in
IAlexia ArdelPs round, iimpled face and
liquid, dark eyes.
4 S'sA child indeed'' he said to himself.
= a1s Is G woman. and dangerously love Y
tvofsan, Goo-onIy she u05s'i
ESyes like pools of deep garnet brown; hair
I'll glistening like tangles of sunshine. Lit
lie Alexia, you could only see yourself as
ohers see you, you might be tempted to be
vlinl I shall make a point of calling at
Judge Ardell's house on New Years day,
ald if Miss Alexia is not there, | shall cer-
tinly inquire for her!'
The pink satin dress vindicated Mme
(I >, Il
the blue damask came home in time to be
rried on and pronounced "perfect," on Sat
"a dav nj yht; and on Monday, the Misses
Scarlet dressed themselves with judicious
care. and many lavings with rose water and
cautious application Of pearl-cream and
blush-pink.
The drawing rooms, decorated with hot
house flowers, and illuminated, not with
vulgar gas, hut with the white lustre of
many wax candles in myriad branched can
lelabra, had been personally inspected by
Ms. Ardel before she went to make her
toilet, and the little room at the back, where
he Judge ordinarily kept his boots, and
,vercoats and Turkish pipes, had been
transformed into a smilax-garlanaed bow
sr, where faint lights glowed through shades
of Nile green grass and the mos elegant
and aesthetic refreshments were arranged
in cleisORne enamelled ware, trays of rep0us-
gee silver, and baskets of Dresden China.
And, just at the aime when Ermengarde
was saying TO her sister Chow do | look,
dear % and Verena was twisting herself
into the shape of 4 letter S, to see the back
q her false pugs and plaitings i'll the mir
ror, little AleXia was enthusiastically Joss
ing about the contents of an old cedar chest
in the store-ioom, which contained the
long forgotten wardrobe Of the first Mrs
Judge Ardell.
"Oh,' she cried, 'fbisis beautiful anl
she unfolded a scented robe of long China
Grape, crimped like the shingly bars of the
finest ses-saI d, and embroidered in fantas-
tic figures of scarlet silk. ''Pll wear this"
''But it'sso odd and old fashioned, miss,
said Louisa, the maid.
II "That is the very charm ofitn' pronounc-
\ ID Alexia. 'Oh, do make haste, Louisa,
with my hair! Are you sure you can do it
ke the plate in the fashion book!'
Mis-. Ardell was arranging the folds of
, po.l.t riaUU ever her shoulders, when
Us Verena rushed up stairs.
Mama Ermengarder' she cried, ''.ho
\e> lady down stairs?'
NsNe lady down stairs.'' repeated both
Al5ane; daughter in amazement.