Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-12-23
TUE CALICO BALL.

TUE CALICO BALL.
| "I've nothing to wear"
This had been Ermine Saunders In.
variable plea whenever ahe happened
| to b. included In the invitations sent to
her fashionable aunt and cousins. And
they-the aunt and cOusins-seemed
only too willing TO accept her excuse
and allow her TO remain in the seclu
sion where she would not be likely to
spoil the matrimonial chances of the
young ladies.
But, in saying this, must note one
honorable exception-Miss Nettie
Burns, who se+ med disposed to favor
her lovely, high bred, but now depend
ent cousin whenever an opportunity
occurred. Yet this was not owing
quite 10 much to her angelic disposition
as to the delight of "getting even"
with her two elder and overbearing
sisters.
"Come, now, Ermine," she began,
gayly, as the cards for the latest fash.
ionable sensation were being discussed,
"you can't assume the role of Miss
Flora McFlimsy on this occasion. A
calico ball-just think oft You won't
dare say that you can't afford suit
able ;oilet for that. Why, you'll look as
pretty az q princess In blue and white
Dolly Warden, and IN help you make
Ii; with no end Of bswitchinR rufties and
frils And then Julian Gilmore is
| certain to be there, for he Is Mrs.
Mount US especial pct, aud Why,
Ermina, what makes your cheeks 30
| red 2" suddenly broke of the tantaliz-
ing girl, fine ing that she had wrought
her cousin up TO high pitch of en-
barrasament, and at the same time pro-
voked her sister + Ia TO a correspond
ing degree of chagrin and wrath, which
" as Just what she had started out to
accomplish.
For mercy's sake, stop your silly
chatter, Nettie, and do let Ermine
alone," interrupted Miss Ella, diplo-
matically. presume she knows her
own business bts:, and IL she doesn't
wish to go, why
" Oh, she hasn' t said that yet, broke
in Nettie, tasingly. :" know she
likes parties az we'll as you or !, and
know what belle she was when she
Idii 90 In society, and"
| Nettie, Eetti. |" cried Ermine her.
self, with blazing cheeks, for she dread.
ed another allusion 10 Julian Fillmore
from the saucy mink. You run on &C
wildly that you haven't given me time
to think what shall do. However"
she added, very hesitatingly, be-
Ilieve can manage to attend this party,
and IL would he pleasant to get a
glimp se of those old scenes again. Yes,
I thiuk I'll CO."
j" WHAT" cried Ella, sharply turn.
ing about and staring at her In constera
ton. "You are going to Mrs. Mount
, ioy's?"
land why not?" flushed Nsttie, her
brown Eyes dancing with triumph
" She IL distinctly invited, and she car
,asily get up a charming costume. u
course she will go il SHES sensible
!, girl "
"Oh, 1t is all right, if she wants Il
no." returned Ella, ashamed of having
"Only it will look 70 odd for Ermin'
e to accept an invitation for a calico bal
a after having refused all others. PEG
y pie will be sure to say that its cheapnes
was her reason for accepting"
THAT II my reason precisely, quiet
LIZ replied Efmine, who, beyond open
a inn her beautiful blue eyes very wild
a | in surprise, had taken no notice OF ella
4 spi,eful outburst
So 1t was settled. to the secret deligh
OF Nettie, who knew more of her sistsr'
real reason for wishing to keep Ermin
lin the background than any one sup
posed.
The two girls planned and worke'
with will, and when at last Ermln
lstood arrayed in her calico dress. sh
was forced to admit that she had nevs
looked better In her life.
at is lovely exquisite r cried Ne,
tie enthusiastically, turning her beaut
ronnd IN a y n m n
the effect.
And indeed it was. The simple dres
was made In princesse, fitting I'll
mines gracefully rounded figure to pei
lection, and the colors-blue and white
interwo, en- in q charming design {
Vines and flowers-were eminently bt
becoming to her blonde beauty, Will
large, deep hued violets clustered her
and there and Nesting In her brigh
Roldenhair, completed a fascinating
picture.
But Ella had NO intention of allowin
the picture to be seen.
. Every body knew how devoted Julia
Gilmore had once been to Miss Ermin
Saunders when she was one OF tire leaC
ing bellies of society, but every body di
not know what Miss Ella knew, viz.
that Mr. Fillmore had called man
times IN inc DOpe Ol booius mioS o"ul
: ders and had invariably been informe
that she was 8" not at home," or wa
engaged" or that Miss Ella was "a
sorry" but Ermine had absolutely n
fused to come down." etc until he ha
at last ceased to ask for her.
And now, If Ermine we're allowed
90 to this calico ball, they would b
at sure 20 meet and all her PREACHER
e. would be discovered. 1t would neve
10. do.
" Consequently, at the last momen
Mrs. Burns, who was in the daughter
confidence, was taken alarmingly l
with one Of her horrible headaches, an
nothing would do but that Ermiu
must remain at home to nurse her.
II one else would do at all.
I'd "It is really too bad" said ELL
y Ihypocritically, but sweetly, "but 20
y know, Ermine, how mamma loves
have you battle her head. 1t Is 90
Il disappointment, I'm afraid, but-wi
= you stay with poor. selfish mamm
y Ermiue, dear 2"
Certainly" said Ermine, quietl!