Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-07-09


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 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 Thorn
ton mansion.
In her eagerness to finish her story
she had thought of nothing else; but
as she ncared 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 a 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 adj
mitted.
daughter receive her guests, so Matte
sat down and waited to be useful.
The dining-room door was partially
open; she could hear the hum of voices
and peals of merry laughter; it seemed
like fairyland to her. The little host
ess was tastefully attired in white
Swiss dress with natural flowers; there
was Gertie Manning, looking lovely in
an embroidered overdress over pink
silk, and Maud Leslie in white tulle
with big sash, and Dot Remington,
a little brunette, in crimson silk re-
sembling a tropical flower; and ever
so many more. The boys were in dress
suits, with white neckties. and pumps;
and as they commenced to promen-
ade through the rooms Hattie's cheeks
began to burn; she felt very uncom-
Portable, and wished she was at home
with her mother, brother and sisters.
Presently Mrs. Thornton came out and
greeted her with smile, and putting
her arm around her told her to come
into the parlors as they were going to
dance the german, and asked her il
she wouldn't like to see them and hear
the musicP She thought she would,
very much. Near the door was the
musicians stand, they were almost
concealed by bank of ferns. Gala Ill
les and vines. Matte sat at one end
where she could see the merry throng
and not be seen, and told Mrs. Thorn
ton 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 jessamine and
tube-roses filled the air; the lights
cast rosy hue over the happy scene;
smilax was twined over the lace cur
tains, aud 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. Thorn
ton, 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 de-
termined in her purpose. and went
quietly along. Some of them glanced
wondcripgly at her, and one or two
gave her a suspicious little stare, but
the ordeal was soon over; and when
the musicians took their seats again.
and then there was general bustling
about, and Matte slipped quietly out
and ran home.
The days passed swiftly by, school
was out, and the hol Lays were near at
hand, the store windows were full of
tempting articles, wax dolls with real
hair, dainty work-baskets lined with
crimson silk, and some with blue silk,
each with thimble, pair OF scissors,
and all the equipments for an indus
| trious little girl; and there were sleds
and hobby-horses for the boys, and
Johnnie had spied in the next window
q 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 a
story book in the bookstore window,
with picture of a happy family on
the outside, sitting around table
reading by lamp-light. 1t reminded
her of their evenings 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
if he wished to buy 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 no
time to read it then, but II she would
She gave her address and left. per
formed her errand and went home.
Matte and her mother were very
busy, even the younger ones assumed
little responsibilities, and all were al
busy as bees.
Day after day passed till there were
only two before Christmas. Matti,
had bepn to the Office time and time
again, but no word from her story
She had almost given it up, when, one
evening about dusk, as she was tax
ing some sewing home to lady OF
Summit avenue, she thought she woult
try once more. There was no need Il
give her name, for as soon as her ca
ger face appeared, large envelope
was handed her, and Matte knew sht
had received her doom. The stores
were beginning to be lighted and PEG
pie were hurrying to and fro with sus
picious-looking bundles; an air of mys
.~~o~a.lnI
mysterious than Matte as she mad,
lc~ x,I