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

ul'ulouS III my me! eACialmou MIS-
Spence, angrily, "The idea of asking
n little chit like Nella to a ball be-
cause Lord Wilton happened to meet
her in q train"
"Nella was eighteen last Monday, so
| suppose she is old enough" said
Elizabeth, the eldest daughter "But
really think she must have behaved
very improperly, or Lord Wilton new
err would have spoken to her"
"Of course she must but as the
countess makes such a point of it, |
am afraid We must let her go"
II can tell you what, mamma, will
be the best PLAN and Clara looked up
eagerly. DRESS her as if she were a
child in the school-room, and then no.
body will notice her at ALL A few
yards of white tulle over muslin
skirt won't cost very much, and it
needn't have any trimming, except on
the body"
This was agreed to, and soon after
luncheon Mrs. Spence and her daugh-
tiers started for Canterbury, to inspect
the two ball-dresses which had been
ordered long ago from the best dress
maker, and to purchase the simple
materials for the one that was to be
made ut home.
Eleanor Lestrange was an orphan
niece, who had been received into the
household much against the will Of
her two cousins. She had two hun
drcd a year of her own, and lovely
face, so she might DC considered a
dangerous rival by the girls. Bur
there was no thought of rivalry in hen
gentle breast as she strolled down the
shrubbery and across the paddock in
to the cool woods OF Wilton Hall. Hel
eyes were full of tears, for her cousins
had been very rude to her about thai
little episode in the train a month ago
when Lord Wilton, the eldest son o
the earle and countess of Canterbury
had como to her assistance, and savet
her from the impertinence OF fellow
traveller.
She sat down at the foot Of q gnarl
cd oak, from which there was n Lowell,
view through the branches of the trees
and resting her head on her hand, fel
into the saddest thoughts possible 70
youth. No one wanted her in her neN
home. Mrs. Spence did not under
stand her; the girls were jealous G
her. Even proper dress for the count
ess's ball had been denied her, an
she would go to it looking like cour
try dowdy.
Oh, If her own idolized father, Cole
mel Lestrange, weregonly alive, or sh
at rest by his side in the quiet church
yard at Beverley!
"Miss Lestrangel" The soft, ric
voice startled her from her melanchol
dreams, and she looked up to see Lor
Wilton standing before her with h
fshing-rod in his hand. "How glad
am | came this wayP throwing dow
his encumbrances and subsiding 0
to the grass at her feet. ''Do VIC
know that | have done nothing b.
think of You from morning till night
looking up into her blushing face wit
his bold, blue eyes.
"Then you have wasted your tin
shockingly," trying to appear at h
ease.
Don't you deserve it better the
dogs or horses?'
"No, I'm not half 80 useful"
"Nor half so nice, l presume d
what is the matter? You've been CT
mgr
at was nothing" growing crimso
only"
Only what?' creeping up closer
her side. "Have they been bullyi
your" . fierce light in his eyes, az
he would have liked to bully them.
"No"
"Thon what? They are not goi
to prevent you from coming to G
dancer "
"No, I'm coming; but her i
trembling,s
"But what2' his eyes looki
straight into hers and compelling
to answer
81 am going to have such horri
dress"
"Come in the one you've got 0
looking down at her pink cambl
"and you1l cut out all the rest. Mi
the first dance is for me-"
Il shall look such a fright thai
shall hide in a corner" her heart fl
tering at something in his eyes.
"Then shall come and drag y
out. But what's the matter with
dress? 1t isn't green, is itY
"No, white; hut, oh, so terribly 5
pleY Just like a child's"
go much the better" with a |,
of relief "You will look like a sw
little snowdrow among them all
He bent over her, and clasping
hand in his, raised il to his tay
4 t.. 4 g..