The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-11-12

never uNfe cNlllblJ Hlyscl NcdIInS ~,
if were you.
All the glad radiance vanished from
the sweet face. Margery was so tired
from her unwonted task, and she really
had such a modest distrust Of her own
skill All the light and color vanished
from the bonny face, the sparkling eyes
brimmed with tears and disappointed
little cry came from the quivering
pink mouth.
But at the grieved cry two voices,
the one Gliding and the other waggish,
sounded in unison.
"Shc has done her work eXccllcntly
we'll" the mother said. And my
Judgment Is worth something, | should
think. You know did drcssmaking
for my living before ! married your
father
II ann inclined to believe, Amelia,
that your own experiment has ended
disaelrously," said Cousin Edgar, who
had been standing an ungucssed auditor
just without the open door of the pretty
sitting room.
40, | decided not to get the lemon
gauze," Amelia languidly responded,
and with some just pcrccptiblc confu.
sion. al intend to save the money for
my charity fund, and after all, do
not care very much about the party
shall stay home, ! think
But despite the assertion, Amelia did
not forego the party
Il should not like Meg to 60 with
out me, she said to her mother. Meg
latterly has fashion of making herself
too forward toward Edgar; and she re.
quires so much watching and checking.
] shall send her home early, mamma;
and then ] shall have Edgar all to my
self, 3" she mentally added.
But her little arrangement was not
TO be success.
Cousin Edgar did not care TO remain
| If Margery was to be sent home. He
| did not care for dancing and for people
whom he did not know lie preferred
to take Margcry home himself
II preferred cosy little chat with
you, Meg" he told her as they entered
the familiar sitting room, and he led
her to an easy chair in a window niche
lighted by the warm spring moonshine.
But the easy chair was just then
occupied by capricious and snowy
work basket, all emerald satin and tin
sci and plaitings of lace.
amelia must have quite forgotten
her work basket; and She is always so
| particular about keeping her work in
her own room, too" said Margery, eX-
tending a hand to take the article from
his rather awkward hold.
But she was too late; at the instant,
his clumsy man fingers slipped and the
basket fell with the contents scattered
at his feet.
And with the fall. a paper parcel
rolled open, to disclose in the gaslight
an incompleted ovcrdress of lemon
gauze.
and Amelia said she did not get
it," Margery murmured in simple as
constituent.
"She disliked to admit that she was
not clever enough for the task, -
Cousin Edgar laughed as they viewed
what to even his inexperienced man
eyes seemed one glazing, gigantic and
irrcparablc liasco in lemon gauzc.
81 do not wonder she was so cross
and critical" Margery said. 1--WE
must not tease her about it, Cousin Ed
| gar"
"Why do you always call me cousin?''
he asked, with look which stirred
the bonny pink roses of her checks to
a wavering crimson. 81 am scarcely
that, you know; and beside | have a
reasonable expectation of being some
thing nearer sometime
81 know, and am glad for Amelia's
sake" she returned gently, but some.
how the crimson blush had paled to
pink again.
"For Amcla's sake" he echoed.
THAT Amelia boasts particular claim
| 10 oil sn1nnt Of tI,n family /
aware, but | certainly have not been
exclusive and individual right to all of
the relatives ALSO" he finished wag'
gishly
"But thought you were so fond OF
her." Margery faltered.
"My darling little Meg, am fond OF
nobody but you," he answered us lit
put an arm about her and kissed the
bonny face, "And you are so neal
and dear to me that | wish to keep you
all mine forevcrmorc my love, my
wife,"
When Miss Amelia at length returned
from the party she stared angrily rs
she beheld the two together-Cousir
Edgar contentedly settled in the easy
chair, and Margaret shyly nesting or
an ottoman beside him But the stare
changed to an expression of mortitica
ton as she perceived the unlucly lemon
gauze which had been deposited on {
convenient table.
"Never mind, Amelia, you mus
have another new dress directly any
how" said Cousin Edgar, noting the
startled glance and the changed expires
sion. "My little Meg must have yol