Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-05-07

easy.for an hour. 'AWkWard and doWdy,'
that is what will be- and in five min
utes mischievous Plnkie Bent was sound
asleep.
Anxiety and ve1ation had made Carrie
ill, and it was with a most unbecoming
flush On her harrassed face that she ap-
peared in the drawing-room a few mo-
ments before dinner hour. There sat the
cousin from Kansas! Was ever such a
figure seen in New York drawing room
before?
A plain white muslin made in the shep
herdess style, very full and very short,
scarlet stockings, q broad scarlet SASH and
worst Of all, on the head turban of white
muslin, with scarlet poppy faunting in
front! This is what the malicious Pinkie
had done with herself, whose trunks were
full of exquisite French gowns such as
her cousins had never owned and OF
often seen. She knew at at least that the
opals on her soft white neck would COM
mand certain sort of respect, even from
lnhospitable relatives.
'sThank heaven she wore them'1 That
will show people she at least has money.
That necklace couldn't have cost less
than $1,000
"Y es." said Pinkie, nonchalantly. ma
likes 'em best Of all she's got. They're
mas. like flowers better. Pm great on
artificial flowers; always wear 'em every
day."
The guests were already arriving. Mr..
| Bent himself among them, he having, &C.
cording to the fashion of New Y FORK bust
ness men, arrived home only in time to
dress for dinner. His heart was so full of
affectionate welcome for his niece, whom
he remembered we'll as a beautiful child
of ten, only half-dozen years ago, that
he did not at first note anything but the
ioveiy s. ~, :,;s
voice.
| AS the dinner progressed, even unobser-
want Mr.. Bent became aware that his
niece's attire was not what it should be,
and that her voice was too loud. but
the women folks can soon stralghten that
all out, and the child's as pretty as a
picture"
| So also thought the Hon. Mr.. Morris,
who, to Carrie Is yexation, on being told
by her that the young lady in white was a
cousin, who had arrived most inoppor-
tunely from Kansas, had exclaimed
''From Kansas! How delighted am !
This is the State of all others [ am most
interested in seeing. L am going out there
in the Spring. If all Kansas ladies have
so wonderful complexion as your cousin,
that is another reason for visiting the re-
gion. Pray, present me to her, will you ?
[ should like to ask her many questions.
Perhaps, ah!'-he stammered with curl
Gus mixture of diffidence and audacity one
often sees in Engllshmen, s'perhaps your
| mother will be so very good as to let me
have the pleasure of sitting by her size at
dinner-that is, If it will not derange your
plans.
~ am quite sure mamma will not relin-
quish the pleasure of having you chiefly to
J herself at dinner" quickly responded
Carrie. her heart full of anger and morti-
fcation. Nevertheless, several times in
the course of dinner, Mr.. Morris heard
the shrill voice, and thought to himself,
''ahat pity the American voice is so
high pitched?"
When gentleman joined the ladies in
the drawing room Mr.. Morris looked ea-
gerly for the Kansas cousin. Not seeing
her, he sccosted Mrs. Bent with true
English bluffness: 81 do not see your
niece from Kansas; hope she has not
gone; was counting On talking with her
all the rest of the evening""
With mingled resentment and confu-
sion Mrs. Bent replied: "My niece went
up stairs Immediately after dinner.''
In truth, Mrs. Bent was In state of
nervous beWilderment. Without for a
moment suspecting the real reason of
Pinkie's withdrawal, she had perceived
that the girl was greatly moved as she
came quickly to her when they were en-
tering the drawing room.
"Aunt. must ask you to excuse me.
am going up stairs to change my dress,
am not dressed as I should have been.'
'Never mind, child, never mind"
Pinkle was gone.
1t did not take her long to finish her
transformation touches. The dainty
white surah silk, with billowy reaches of
white lace from belt, the soft, clinging
gloves to the shoulders, the opal bracelets,
the white ostrich feather fan, the white
satin slippers-all were in readiness But
at last Pinkie's heart failed her,
cit was shameful trick to play on
them. 1 shall cry, know shall; and 1 d
rather die than to cry before that English
man."
At last she stole down slowly. hesita-
tingly. Black Ben caught sight Of her
first, and reeled back with excitement.
1t was an unerriug instinct that led
Pinkie, on entering the drawing-ro room, to
glide swiftly to her uncle's side, and put
ting both hands into his, say:
Dear Uncle Sllas. won't you make my
peace with aunt and your friends here for
my masquerading at your dinner?"
Before she had half finished speaking.
company had gathered close around her.
II must say" began Mrs. Bent. in an