The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-09-10

school intimate of Miss Wolroth. She
had only infrequently visited me;
indeed she had never done so before
since the Wolroths had become the
occupants of the yellow stone house
among the oaks.
81 think she was uncivil in not ask
ing you; she might have remembered
that you are my aunt, should think,
Lilias said, in doubtful and displeased
voice. as she fastened the clasps of her
silvery gray gossamer. "But, perhaps
she did include you; perhaps Cyril for
got her exact message, or perhaps he
took it for granted you were to come
with me. You seem somehow to have
become acquainted with him, Aunt
Mariannaw
"Mr. Wolroth condescended to admire
my garden" explained in voice 80
bitter l could not blame the girl for
staring as she did. "He came here
once or twice for seeds and cuttings of
the old-faShioned herbs and flowers he
could not obtain elsewhere. He has
been here since several times for in
struction regarding the proper cultiva-
ton of some rose slips l gave him."
"He is nice-Cyril isl only hope
shall like his elegant sister half as WELL"
said Lilias, deity making an invisible
knot in the ends of the rosy gauze which
she had drawn artistically about her
silvery gray turban and over her fair
face.
Lilias was very handsome; she was
tall and straight and slim; her profile
was singularly pure and refined; her
dark eyes were calm and serious; her
skin as smooth as satin and white as
milk; and she had an indeScribaby
impressive look of being set apart from
human emotions and mundane imper-
fections.
"She is delighted with Cyril Walroth.
and he is pleased with her. 1t is easy
to predict how the mutual attraction
will terminate. With her youth, her
fortune, and such a lover, she is to be
envied," l meditated as | watched her
so dainty and stately and gladstone
tripping away beneath her silken blue
umbrella.
Never before had I felt really discon-
tented with my lot; never before had |
so poignantly reflected how desolate
and meagre and lowly my existence
was! All at once I seemed to feel my
self aged and plain and unlovable!
"And yet if could wear rich laces
and delicate silks and pretty jewels. l
should be passably attractive, perhaps"
said to myself as l went into my one
guest chamber, where Lilias had left
her dainty costumes and girlish orna-
ments scattered about in charming dis
order. "The novelty of having nothing
to do but to amuse myself would make
one young again, and such dress as
this, I am sure, would make even ugli-
ness enchanting"
The particular dress was for evening
wear. 1t was of some silky fabric in
changing tints of pink and lazuli blue,
with cloudy drapery of tulle looped
here and there with clusters of velvet
peach blossoms.
The dress fascinated me. I fancied I
should like to behold myself arrayed in
the exquisite garment with those lovely
pink pearls cleaning on my neck and
wrists.
For once my interminable stitching
was ignored! the housekeeper over at
Pumpernickel villa might wait for the
hemming of her table linen; and if the
handkerchief monographs were not en-
broidered, the mistress of the st. Clare
palace might grumble if she liked! for
once proposed to enjoy moment of
leisure, to have little masquerade with
myself for spectator!
And so dotted my worn serge gown
and cloth slippers, and donned the even
ing costume, the peach blossoms and
pink pearls, and even the dainty kid
boots.
AS I turned to the long, narrow,
swing-mirror of my sitting-room, l
started involuntarily. Was it really
myself-Marianna Carew-who a mo-
ment before had envied fair Lilias her
youth, her dainty bloom, her stately
loneliness?
awe are surprisingly alike; and after
all am but a very few wears older than