Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-04-16

Col. Thornton was wealthy banker
then. had fine residence and grounds.
Mrs. Van Wyck had taken some sew
ing to do for them, and this is how,
Matte thought perhaps, her mother
might intercede for her.
The next morning after she had gone !
to school, her mother went over TO ask
Mrs. Thornton what Matte could do, |
telling her that she greatly desired TO
help in some way. Mrs. Thornton was
a kind, motherly woman, loved by all
who knew her. Sho smiled, and told
her 10 send the child over by all means;
there might be something she could do,
and she could enjoy the music. Mrs.
Van WICK thanked her, and went home
feeling too grateful to speak almost,
knowing how pleased Matte would be.
Mattie's wardrobe was very limited.
Her mother got out her best dress, a
black cashmere that she had worn two
winters, mended il in one or two places,
then washed and ironed little muslin
apron, and waited to tell her the good
news. Matte clapped her hands for
10Y when her mother told her, and was
so excited she could scarcely eat her
dinner.
Evening came at last. Matte put
on her black dress and muslin apron;
her mother looked through all her
boxes, and found a piece OF scarlet
ribbon, just what she needed with her
pale face, gray eyes, and brown, wavy
hair. Matte pinned it at her throat,
and looked very pretty indeed. She
kissed her mother, and, promising not
to stay late, started for the Thornton
mansion.
In her eagerness to finish her story
she had thought of nothing else; but
as she neared the house and saw it
brilliantly lighted, and some of the
little guests were beginning to arrive,
she was seized with fear and trepida-
ton. She passed by two or three par
| ties, but was as unnoticed as If she had
been little autumn leaf rustling along.
Once she thought she would turn back,
then, thinking of her story, if she
could be successful how much she
would do, drew her shawl closer about
her and hurried round to the dining
room door and was admitted.
Mrs. Thornton was helping her
daughter receive her guests, so Matte
sat down and waited to be useful. The
dining-room door was partially open ;
peals of merry laughter; it seemed like
fairyland to her. The little hostess
was tastefully attired in q white Swiss
dress, with natural flowers; there was
Gertie Manning, looking lovely in an
embroidered Swiss overdress over pink
silk, and Maud Leslie in white tulle
with big sash, and Dot Remington, a
little brunette in crimson silk resem-
bling q tropical flower and ever so many
more. The boys were in dress suits,
with white neckties and pumps; and a.
they commenced to promenade through
the rooms Hattie's cheeks began to
burn; she felt very uncomfortable, and
wished she was at home with her
mother, brother and sisters. Pres
emily Mrs Thornton came out and
greeted her with smile, and putting her
arm around her told her to come into
the parlors, as they going to dance the
german, and asked her if she wouldn't
like to see them and hear the music
\ INour tine uoor was Utre ffftts1c1uns sJantI,
they were almost concealed by q
bank of ferns, Gala lilies and vines.
Matte sat at one end where she could
see the merry throng and not be seen,
and told Mrs. Thornton she preferred
this place to any other. The band was
playing one of Strauss waltzes, and as
the dancers glided in and out through
the mystic mazes, Matte sat with her
hands clasped thrilled with rapture.
The perfume of evening iessamine and
tube-roses filled the air; the lights cast
a rosy hue over the happy scene; smi-
lax was twined over the lace curtains,
and bouquets of roses were in every
nook and corner.
After while there was stir in the
dining-room, and Matte went out to see
what she could do. Mrs. Thornton,
noticing her flushed cheeks and anxious
manner, told her she could help serve
refreshments, if she wished. Matte
rather dreaded meeting her naughty
little schoolmates, Wondering what they
would say; but she was determined
in her purpose, and went quiet
ly along. Some of them glanced
wonderingly at her, and one or two
gave her q suspicious little stare, but
the ordeal was soon over; and when
the musicians took their seats again,
and then there was general busting
about, Matte slipped quietly out and
ran home.
The days passed swiftly by, school
was out, and the holidays were near at
hand, the store windows we're full of
tempting articles, wax dolls with real
hair, dainty baskets lined with
crimson silk, and some with blue silk,
each with q thimble, pair of scissors,
and all the equipments for an industri-
GUS little girl; and there were sleds and
hobby-horses for the boys, and Johnnie
had spied in the next window pair of
boots with red tops that he thought
would just fit him. Amy had seen some
mittens like Kitty Myers, that she
coveted; and Madge saw story-book
in the bookstore window, with pic
ture of happy family on the outside,
sitting around table reading by lamp
light. 1t reminded her of their even
ings at home, and she thought it would
be nice book to have.
Mattie's story was completed at last,
and one morning, when she was going
on an errand for her mother, she
tucked it in her pocket, and, stopping
on her way, entered the Pioneer Office.
There were several gentlemen in, dis
cussing the topics of the day. The
editor came forward and asked her
what she would like. She asked him
il he wished to buy a story. He began
to murmur something about an "over-
supply" when her slender figure and
wan face attracted his attention. He
| took the story, telling her he had not