Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-11-13


becoming flush on her harrassed face
that she appeared in the drawing.
room q few moments before the din.
ner hour. There sat the cousin from
Kansas! Was ever such a figure seen
in a New York drawing-room before?
A plain white muslin, made in the
shepherdess style, very full and very
short, scarlet stockings, a broad scar
let sash, and worst of all on the head
a turban of white muslin, with a scar
let poppy Haunting in front! This
was what the malicious Pinkie had
done with herself, malicious Pinike
whose trunks were full of exquisite
French gowns such as her cousins had
never owned, and not often seen.
She know at least that the opals on
her soft white neck would command g.
certain sort of respect, even from her
inhospitable relatives.
"Thank heaven she wore them. That
will show people she at least has mon
ey. That necklace couldn't have cost
less than 81 ,OOO."
YES" replied Pinkie, nonchalantly.
'Ma likes 'em best of all she's got.
They're mas. I like flowers better.
I'm 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 in
time to dress for dinner. His heart
was SO full of affectionate welcome for
his niece. whom he remembered we'll as
a beautiful child of ten. only half a.
dozen years ago, that he did not at
first note anything but the uplifted
eyes, and the afiectionate voice.
AS the dinner progressed even unob-
servant Nh. Bent became aware that
his niece's attire was not what it
should be, and that her voice was too
loud. "But the woman folks can soon
straighten that all out, and the child 8
as pretty as a picture.'
So also thong int the Hon. Mr.. Nor
ris, who, to Carries vexation, on be-
ing told by her that the young lady in
white was a cousin, who had arrived
most inopportunely from Kansas, had
exclaimed: From Kansas! How
delighted I am. That is the state Of
all others am most interested in see
ing. I am going out there in Che
spring.
"lf all the Kansas ladies have so
wonderful g. complexion as your cou-
sin, that is another reason for visiting
the region. Pray, present me to her?
l should like to ask her many ques-
tons. Perhaps, all" he stammered,
with the curious mixture of diffidence
and audacity one so often sees in Eng
llshmen, perhaps your mother will be
SO very good as to let me have the
pleasure Of sitting by her side at din
ner-that is, if it will not disarrange
your plans"
IL am quite sure mama will not re-
linquish the pleasure Of having you
chiefly to herself at dinner" quickly
responded Carrie, her heart full OF
anger and modification. Neverthe-
less, several times in the course of the
dinner Mr.. Morris heard the shrill
voice, and thought to himself: "What
a pity the American voice is so high
pitched"
When the gentlemen joined the Ia
dies in the drawing room Mr.. Morris
looked eagerly for the Kansas cousin.
Not seeing her, he accosted Mrs. Bent
with true English bluffness: II don't
see your niece from Kansas; I hope
she has not gone; I was counting on
talking with her all the rest OF the
evening"
With mingled resentment and con-
fusion Mrs. Bent replied: "My niece
went up stairs Immediately after din
ner"
In truth, Mrs. Bent was in a state
OF nervous bewildermenG. Without
for a moment suspecting the real rea-
son OF Pinkie's withdrawal, she had
perceived that the girl was greatly
moved as she came swiftly to her when
they were entering the drawing room.
"Aunt, must ask you to excuse
me. | am going upstairs to change
my dress. | was not dressed as l
should have been"
"Never mind, child, never mind"
Plnkle was gone.
1t did not take long for her to finish
her transformation touches The
dainty white surah silk, with willowy
reaches of white lace from belt to hem,
the soft, clinging gloves to the shout
ders, the opal bracelets, the white os-
trich feather fan, the white slippers
all We're in readiness. But at last
Plnkie's heart tailed her.
ut was q shameful trick to play on
them. 1 shall cry; I know I shall, and
I'd rather die than cry before that En-
glishman."
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 Plnkie, on entering the drawing
room, to glide swiftly to her uncle
side, and putting both hands into his,
say:
ttDear Uncle Silas, won't YOU make
my peace with aunt, and ask your
friends here to forgive mefor masquer-
aiding at your dinner?"
Before she had half-6nished speaking
the company had gathered close
around her. .'.t... 49, =. &C.,.
II must say began Mrs. Bent in
an angry tone. But Pinkie went on
resolutely:. g.. III. =
81 could not resist the temptation
TO live up to the New. Y orkers'' idea Of
a Kansas girl just for an hour or two.
You know that I was exactly the sort
OF g person you all expect to see from
the West Shegathered courage sshe
saw smiles. ~ Yes, You all know il, '''em-
bracmg the group IN her appealing
glance, "and We out West all know It.
Then, forgive me. You ask them to for.
give me, dear Uncle Silas, won't you?'
But Uncle silas was laughing too heart
ily. He bent over and kissed her fore.
head. 3: 40
~ ask them all to forgive me for
kisslng you, hesaid. "a capital Joke,