The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-04-17
Poor Snowdrop.

wi SiiOWulOPs
Never did l know anything SO
ridiculous in my life !" exclaimed Mrs.
Spence, angrily. 1.-The idea of asking
u little chit like Nella to a ball because
Lord Wilton happened to meet her in
train
"Nella was eighteen last Monday, so
suppose she is old enough, said
Elizabeth, the eldest daughters "but
really think she must have behaved very
improperly, or Lord Wilton never would
have spoken to her.
"Of course she must; but as the
countess makes such point OF 1t, am
afraid we must let her CO."
Il can tell you what, mamma, will be
the best plan, and Clara looked up
eagerly. Dress her rs if she were
child in the school-room, and then
nobody will notice her at all. A few
yards of white tulle over u muslin skirt
won't cost very much, and 1t needn't
have any trimming, except little on
the body
This was agreed to, and soon after
luncheon Mrs. Spence and her daughters
started for Canterbury, to inspect the
two ball dresses which had been
ordered long ago from the best dress
maker, and to purchase the simple
materials for the one that was to be
made at home
Eleanor Lestrange was an orphan
niece, who had been received into the
household much against the will OF her
two cousins. She had two hundred q
year Of her own, and Il lovely face, SO
she might be considered a dangerous
rival by the girls. But there was no
thought of rivalry in her gentle breast
us she strolled down the shrubbery and
across the paddock into the cool woods
of Wilton Hall Her eyes We're full of
tears for her cousins had been very
rude to her about that little episode in
the train month ago, when Lord
Wilton, the eldest son Of the Earl and
countess of Canterbury, had come to
her assistance, and saved her from the
impertinence of fellow traveller.
She sat down at the foot of gnarled
oak, from which there was q lovely view
through the branches of the trees, and
res ing her head on her hand, fell into
the saddest thoughts possible for youth.
No one wanted her in her new home
Mrs. Spence did not understand her
the girls were jealous of her Even 6
proper dress for the countess's ball hat
been denied her, and she would go to i
looking like country dowdy.
Oh, if her own idolized father
Colonel Lestrange, were only alive, o
she lay ut rest at his side in the quie
churchyard at Beverley!
Miss Lestrange!" The soft, ricl
voice startled her from her melanchol,
dreams, and she looked up to see Lort
Wilton standing before her with hi
fishing rod in his hand. How glad
am l came this way!" throwing dow
his encumbrance and seating himself OF
the grass at her feet. "Do you knoy
that l have done nothing but think O
You from morning till night!' looking
up into her fair face with his bold, blu
eyes.
Then you have wasted your tim
shockingly," trying to appear at he
ease
Don't you derserve it more than tn
dogs or horses
NO I'm not half SO useful"
Nor half so nice, presume. But
what is the matter? You've been cry
ing!'
1T was nothing" growing crimson
only"
"Only WHAT" creeping up closer
her side Have they been bullyin
you?' II fierce light in his eyes, as if L
would have liked to bully them.
No"
What them" They are not goin
to prevent you. from coming to oil
dancer"
mo, I'm coming; but" her liz
trembling.
"But what? his eyes looking straigl
into hers and compelling her to answe
Il am going to have such horrib
dress"
Come in the one you've got on
looking down at her pink calnbri
and you'll cut out all the rest. Min,
the first dance is for me. :"
- shall look such fright that
shall hide i'll a corner" her hea
Auttering at something in his eyes.
"Then l shall come and drag you ou
But what's the matter with the dresi
1t isn't green, is it ?"
"No, white; but oh, so terribl
simple! just like childs."
And so much the BETTER" with
ook OF relief. You will look like
sweet little snowdrop among them all
He bent over her. and clasping h
hand in his, raised it to his tawI
mustache. She snatchea it from hi
and sprang to her feet like startl'
fawn vivid crimson dying her chee
with a sudden glow
"Nella?" he cried, jumping up
quickly as his long legs would let hin
but she was gone, ana only dlsta
flutter of pink coald be seen throul
the trees.
Here's a basket for you Eleanor
said her aunt coming out of the da
ing room with a flushed face, as 81
went down stairs. 1T has Just be,
brought over from Wilton by one
Lord Canterbury's grooms. l am su
there's some mistake about it, but "
must open it, as it is addressed to you
With eagar fingers Nella undid t
fastenings, raised the lid, and renoy
layers Of cotton wool aud silver pap,
Then cry OF dislike burst from Ii
lips An exquisite bouquet of viii