Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-22

causes. possible ana hhpVsssD'o, W ene
cali and started TO get her some fresh
books from the library.
uMiss Helder, am sure. Miss
Ermengarde Helder," said a gay little
voice unexpectedly, and pretty Mrs.
Arden tripped up to me with out
stretched hands. $50 sorry not to
find you at home. Let me introduce
General Noel--Miss Ermengarde Held
en-"
Ny name again The name that |
had not heard for years. Long ago !
had thought it over-fantastic, and now
in these later days of toll and shabbi-
ness it seemed SO ill-fitting had abol-
ished its use entirely in favor Of the
homely Minnie.
1.-The Liyesays told us who you were
and where you were staying, and felt
must make friends with you before to-
morrow evening" she went on, piling
I'D the bewilderment. The Livesays
we're kind old neighbors whom | was
clad TO have found here on mothers
account, but why they should have in
spired these strangers with a desire to
cultivate us, could not conceive.
" Tomorrow, Of course" beamed the
old General. you'll keep dance for
me, Miss Helder. You can't have
given away all yet"
"A dance? Oh. the Subscription
Ball : But | am not going" / replied,
puzzled infinitely.
81 think you are, dear" said little
Mrs. Arden, with an arch glance. Do
YOU know ! meant to offer to chaperonc
you. Such a delightful surprise for
somebody. with a little confidential
nod and squeeze Of my handy But
find Mrs. Liyesay means to take you.
Good-by hope we shall see very
much of you now; and with last
arch glance and bewildering little pres
sure, she led her old General away,
after quite a paternal farewell on his
part. Arrived at home, | found CON-
mittee Of three deciding my destiny.
"0f course she must CO." heard
tnCle Ititl NOlCc utClaiC tuipubu tuO
open window as | waited on the
doorstep for admission. lie had run
down for a night to see how we were
getting Oh. Its very gratifying
really, ma Jam, very gratifying She
is a good girl, and has always done
her dooty, and deserves the best OF
luck"
"Quite So" Mrs. Livesay's comfort
able, deep contralto doomed out, Z" but
please recollect-not a word E" There
was a sudden guilty hush as | entered.
Mothers eyes we're wet, and her lips
tremulous with happy excitement. Mrs.
Livesay sat gracious and important with
ball-tickets in her hand, and Uncle
Peter nodded and blinked benig-
nantly. lie pooh-poOhed all con-
siderations Of toilet. Gowns were
to be had for money!" he supposed ;
"get one, them" and anything else |
wanted. My faint protests were in
stantly silenced. Mrs. Livesay made
practical suggestions. A whirl of pre-
paration began on the instant, and con-
tinued all next day, till before | had
quite done with being astonished | found
myself bedecked. bedizened, aud on my
way to the ball under Mrs. Livesay's
maternal wing.
The rawest debutdate never went
through greater agonies Of shyness and
selfmistrust than | did that evening.
felt like an owl dragged, rumpled and
blinking, to the sunlight from the
friendly gloom of his hiding-place,
when, close sticking to Mrs. Liyesay's
black-yelvet elbow, | entered the ball
room. had forgotten how to wear an
evening dress or carry fan. Surely
people were looking at me and whisper
ing. l flushed pink at the thought Of
what they might be saying. Mrs.
Arden Waited past and flung me a
sweet little smile, which | was too
nervous to return, and as | shrank
down into seat General Noel came
beaming up.
Don't forget our dance, Miss Helder.
Only Just come, en-? Not got a pro-
gramme ?" and off he trotted to supply
the want.
sat wishing heartily that he would
never come back again, and wondering
how long the evening would last. Mrs.
Livesay became absorbed in converse
with some one on the other side of her,
and forlornly smoothed the plumage
of nv big fan and looked at the tips of
my satin toes till ! became aware that
some one was standing in front
Of me, also of a delicious fragrance
tea-rose, stephanotis, and heliotrope-
that iIoated around me. | raised my
reluctant glance first to the flowers and
then to the bearer. Two laughing blue
eyes met mine, and found myself
looking full into the face Of my deserter.
1t was he unmistakably, plus an inch
extra moustache, an evening suit, and
diamond stud. His face was demure,
but his eyes danced with fun as he
bent over me.
"Miss Helder! I daren't get intro
duced. I'm Joscelyn Arden. iOaS
Thomas Allen, and if you won't recog-
nize me I'm doomed man."
bowed stiliiy enough, with flaming
cheeks.
ats very good of YOU" he went
on. "YOu perhaps won't believe me
when tell you I'm in sorer straits
now than when you helped me before,
and nobody else can save me. Don't
look frightened. I'm not a disreputa-
bic character ROW, only lieutenant in
the e-Hundred- and-Twelfth. [ was
gazetted last month"
What can | do for you this time ? {"
| asked, depressing an inclination to
laugh.
"Will you give me a dance-this
one?"
Here General Noel, who had arrived
with my programme, gave me know
ing little nod and turned away again,
and rose mechanically as the music
began. Joscelyn put the bouquet down
carefully in my place, and We foated
off together.
l began timidly and stupidity, but
after the first few steps all my missing
nerve and selfpossession seemed sud-
I