The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-04-12

She was neat little woman, with q
round, child-like face and soft gray
eyes.
well, look about and choose"
laughed her companion. you seem
dazzled by all the magniicence, but
that will soon pass of.
The speaker was q strikingly hand
some girl, evidently older by two or
three years than her friend, and great
contrast. A blonde of exceptional per-
lection, with masses of soft silken hair
browning face that was noticeable for
its pure colOring even among beauties
of her complexion. Stately and glo-
riously fair, she appeared taller than
she really was.
An attendant approached her and
bowed deferentially.
81 want something very pretty in
ball dresses" she said, carelessly.
mot too handsome; it is for first
ball; for my friend here. Jeannic,
come and consult
1t was decided at the outset that it
must be white. Something SHIN
merry" JEANNE had suggested.
Lettie waved aside ali fiimsy mate
rials disdainfully. Pretty" she ad-
mitted, ''but l mean to give you some
thing substantially useful, JEANNE.
Satin, the designer decided, was too
old, but he could makeup lovely dress
out of satin merveilleux. This met
with the approval of both the girls.
"And now as to style, madam" ne
said, thoughtfully. You would like
something simple, yet fashionable, l
presume"
He retired gravely to desk behind
a wooden. screen, and covered his eyes
with his hand in rapt consideration. A
few inarticulate sounds escaped him;
then he rose the inspired artist
at must be gold" he said, gravclv,
''braid, l would recommend. 1t is
youthful and well suited to the ma
terial"
He sent an assistant for the Paris
model, while he proceeded to further
explain his ideas. JEANNE was, of
course, charmed. She had never i'm
agined herself in such q costume.
Il must make some slight varia-
tons" continued the artist. The
model, you will perceive is somewhat
handsomer than ! propose. Satin and
gold embroidery"
at is lovely!' gasped both the girls
in q breath.
Il must have one like it,, exclaimed
Lettic. Il had not intended getting
new dress for Woodbridge, butt"
The but was significant, and the
compliment it conveyed not lost on Mr..
Cooper. Madam" he said bowling,
at would surpass all my former efforts
in the line. To be sure, the dress would
require carrying, off, But l think in
fact am sure, that you could do it. "
He strobe away to allow his words to
take effect, returning in a few seconds
with the details all prepared, and
placed few patterns on the table
II have a design for a body" he
said, THAT would complete the costume
to perfection. 1t would suit you,
madam. 1t is more than becoming; it
would, intact, improve your figure fifty
per cent"
This seemed truly irresistible, and
proved so to Lettie The orders were
carefully inscribed by Mr.. Cooper.
The names and address?n he asked.
Miss Phillimore, replied Lette
''Miss Carson" intimating JEANNE.
$50, Stanhope Gardens. We leave
town this day week; l trust both
dresses may be ready"
Mr.. Cooper bowed, and the ladies
went upstairs to the dressmaker
Now, it happened that just at this
moment an irascible Countess made
her entry, who was seriously offended
at some negligence on the part of
workwoman. Mr.. Cooper was called
into requisition, and the names were
not entered in the book. The Countess
kept him long, and when at last he was
free and flew upstairs to make good his
omission the girls had left and the
names had slipped his memory.
1t has been remarked that Lettie
looked tall. 1t was her stately
carriage that misguided, for as amatter
OF fact, JEANNE was the taller of the
two. Mr.. Cooper allowed himself to be
satisfied with the dressmaker's dimen-
sions; so it came about that Lettie's or
der was made up to Jeannie's pattern,
and Jeannie's to Lettie's.
On the morning of the ball. the Squire
received the following epistle:
''150, StanhOpe Garden.
DEAREST OLD GUARDIAN: Miss Prim has
gone home for month, and ! am bringing
JEANNE Carson with me tomorrow. l sup
pose it will make no difference. She only left
school at Christmas and has never been TO a
ball.
~ mean to appear in such a dress! the like
OF which has never been seen in Woodbridge.
White satin and gold embroidery! A real
dazIler, IN sure you'll say. Your loving
LETITIA PHILLIMORE."
"A southerly wind and cloudy sky
Proclaim hunters morning"
So carolled the Squire when he had fin
ished his good breakfast of rump-steak,
and was surveying his pink and top
boots with the satisfaction of a staunch
cross-country rider
Poor Philip! | might have offered
him mount. But there, he'll be all
the fresher for the ball tonight
They had splendid run that day.
Two hours and twenty minutes hard
riding. The Squire was not young,
but he sat well and headed the field.
When he got home, his mare had pulled
frightfully, he said; he felt dislocated
in every joint; and that afternoon all
in the house agreed that he was not the
man he used to be.
81 can't take you to the ball tonight,
girls" he said. ''It's been bit too
much for me. Lady Alcote will call for
you. But you must let me see the
dresses" he added, with merry