The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-16

That will show people she at least has
money. That necklace couldn't have
cost less than 81 900"
eyes," replied Pinkie, nonchalantly.
Ma likes 'em best of all she's got.
They're mas. l like flowers better.
Pm great on artificial flowers; always
wear 'em every day."
The guests were already arriving,
Mr.. Bent himself among them, he hav-
ing, according to the fashion of New
York business men, arrived home only
in time to dress for dinner. His heart
was so full of affectionate welcome for
his niece--whom he remembered well
as beautiful child of ten, only half a
dozen years ago-that he did not at first
note anything but the lovely uplifted
eyes and the affectionate voice.
AS the dinner progressed even unob-
servant Mr.. Bent became aware that
his niece's attire was not what it should
be, and that her voice was too loud.
But the women folks can soon
straighten that all out, and the child's
as pretty as a picture"
SO also thought the Hon. Mr.. Morris,
who, to Carries veXation, on being
told by her that the young lady in white
was cousin, who had arrived most in
opportunely from Kansas, had ex-
claimed: From Kansas! How de-
lighted / am. That is the state of all
others | am most interested in seeing.
l am going out there in the spring.
If all the Kansas ladies have so
wonderful complexion as your cousin,
that is another reason for visiting the
region. Pray present me to her, will
you? | should like to ask her many
questions. Perhaps, ah--" he STAN
mered, with the curious mixture of diff
fidence and audacity one so often sees
in Englishmen, "perhaps your mother
will be so very good as to let me have
the pleasure of sitting by her side at
dinner-that is, if it will not disarrange
your plans"
:" L am quite sure mamma will not re-
linquish the pleasure of having you
chiefly to herself at dinner" quickly
responded Carrie, her heart full of an
ger and modification. Nevertheless,
several times in the course of the din
ner Mr.. Morris heard the shrill voice,
and thought to HIMSELF " What pity
the American voice is so high pitched. {"
When the gentlemen joined the ladies
in the drawing-room Mr.. Morris looked
eagerly for the Kansas cousin. Not
seeing her, he accosted Mrs. Bent with
true English bluffness: 81 don't see
your niece from Kansas; l hope she
has not gone: | was counting on talk
ing with her all the rest of the evening""
With mingled resentment and confu-
sion Mrs. Bent replied: my niece
went upstairs Immediately after din
ner."
In truth, Mrs. Bent was in state of
nervous bewilderment. Without for a
moment suspecting the real reason of
Pinkie's withdrawal, she had perceived
that the girl was greatly moved as she
came swiftly to her when they were en-
tering the drawing-room.
"Aunt, | must ask you to excuse me.
| am going upstairs to change my
dress. l was not dressed as | should
have been"
"Never mind, child; never mind"
Pinkie was gone.
1t did not take long for her to finish
her transformation touches. The dainty
white surah silk, with billowy reaches
of white lace from belt to hem, the soft,
clinging gloves to the shoulders, the
opal bracelets, the white ostrich feather
fan, the white satin slippers-all were
in readiness. But at last Pinkie's heart
failed her.
1t was a shameful trick to play on
them. l shall cry, know / shall and
I'd rather die than cry before that Eng
lishman."
At last she stole down slowly, hest
tatingly. Black Ben caught sight of
her first, and reeled back with excite.
ment.
1t was an unerring instinct which
led Pinkie, on entering the drawing.
room, to glide swiftly to her uncle's
side, and, putting both hands into his
say:
"Dear Uncle Silas, won't you make
my peace with aunt, and ask your
friends here to forgive me for masquer.
aiding at your dinner?"
Before she had half finished speaking
the company had gathered around her.
:" must say" began Mrs. Bent, in
an angry tone. But Pinkie went or
resolutely:
81 could not resist the temptation tc
live up to the New Workers. idea of q
Kansas girl Just for an hour or two
ou hhoN tiuu was CAdSlly lllC oOl
of person you all expected to see from
the West" She gathered courage a,
she saw smiles. Eyes, you all know
it," embracing the group in her appeal
ing glance, "and we out West al
know it. Then forgive me, dear Uncle
Silas, won't your" But Uncle Silat
was laughing too heartily. He ben
over and kissed her forehead.
:" l ask them all to forgive me TO
kissing you" he said. GA capita
joke, Pinkien'
" The best bit of acting | ever saw,
, cried the Hon. Mr.. Morris; quit,
clever; very neat. Upon my word
though, do think now, really, Mis-
! Bent, | should have seen through it;
', don't think you could have deceived
me-"
81 should not have tried" replied
Pinkie, very simply. Yet there was
certain indefinable something in he
tone which made the Hon. Mr.. Morri
,, change color
' There are no words in which to de
/, scribe the embarrassment of Mrs. Ben
, and her daughters.
" Had Pinkie overheard what the,
said about her?"
They sounded her as far as they dared
: But they never found out.
TO only one person did Pinkie eve