The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-01-05

brunette, had chosen pink satin, with
cloudlike draperies of black lace; while
the matron herself, no bad exemplifca-
ion of the poets idea of "fat, fair and
fcr.y," was to wear ruby velvet, richly
trimmed with point obl,que lace aud
dicmond cross, which in the absence of
her husband, she had hired from an ac-
commodating jeweler for the occasion.
While Alexia-poor, heart-broken
child, sent ruthlessly to the depot,
where Miss Gardiner, the governess, was
telegraphed to meet her.
But Miss Gardiner, as it chanoed did
not receive the message In time. and was
not there; and Mr.. Herbert Helullyn
was there!
Alexia knew him very well. She had
seen him once at her stepmother's He
owned brown stone house. fronting on
the Central Park, aud place near Lake
George, called Helullyn Hall. He drove
pair of superb, high-stepping horses.
and owned a private picture-gallery; and
| Ermengarde Scarlet had selected him as
the special target for the arrows of her
hazel eyes. this season.
MI. Helullyn recognized Alexia at
once.
"sIiss Scarlett's little sister, isn't it?"
said he. ..
Alexia furtively whisked away her tears
and answered:
Yes"
"Is anything the matter?' said Mr..
Helullyn. "Cap 1 be of service? Pray
command me, if" H
''lf you could please take me homeY
said eager Alexia. Very slyly indeed,
mindl-"bscause I've been sent back to
boarding-school before the holidays are
out, just because Verena, Ermengarde,
and mamma consider me too little to see
company on New Years day.
"This is serious trouble, indeed!" said
Mr.. Helullyn, laughing.
"0h, it is, ind ,edr' sighed Alexia. al
am sixteen, you know, and should SO
like to be young lady, like Verena and
Ermengarde! but you see" returning to
the subject. "Miss Gardiner is not here
to receive me, and If you would please
take me back in your carriage, would
creep in by the area gate, and perhaps
perhaps, shall be at home on New
Years day. after all-But." her large,
dark eyes suddenly blazing into indigna-
ton, ''you are laughing at me!'
mot laughing AT you, Miss Ardell,'' ;
he FASTENED to explain-"only with
you!"
Miss Ardellp'
Alexia's heart leaped at this delicious
tribute to her young ladyhood. She felt
prouder still when Mr.. Helullyn helped
her into his carriage and they drove
away.
Leave me at the corner of the street
please" said Alexia. 1T would never
do for mamma and the girls to see me
in your carriage! And Ermengarde would
be so vexedr
And so the little wild gypsy stole in at
the area gate; and bribed the cook with
kiss and a string of amber beads, not
to betray her surreptitious re-entrance
into the family circle, while Mr.. He
lullyn went home to wonder what there
was SO fascinating in AleGia's Ardell's
round, dimpled face and liquid, dark
eyes.
"a child indeedl" he said to himself
"She is woman. and dangerously
lovely woman, too-only she dos sn't
know it! Eyes like pools Of deep garnet
brown; hair all gIistenIng like tangles OF
sunshine, Little AleIia. if you could
only see yourself as others see you, you
might be tempted to be vainl l shall
make a point of calling at Judge Ardelrs
house on New Years day, and if Miss
Alexia Is not there, shall certainly in
quire for her!" a.-
The pink satin dress vindieated Nine.
Chaussa's fnme as an srtistic dr,ssmaker;
the blue damask came home in time to
be tried on aud pronounced perfect
on Saturday nlghti and on Monday the
Misses Scarlett dressed themselves with
jrdIcious care. and many layings with
rose water and cautions applications OF
pearl-eream and blush-pink,
The drawing-rooms, decorated with
hot-house flowers, aud illuminated, not
with vulgar gas, but with the white lustre
OF many wax candles in myriad. branehed
candelabra, had been personally inspect
ed by Mrs. AFdell before she went Il
make her toilet aud the little room a
the back, whers the judge oIdinaril,