The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-02-09


be too III to appear tonight. ] don't
believe Mr.. Morris will ever cross our
threshold again."
"Thtn he is welcome to stay away"
ssid Mrs Bent hotly.
While this distressed consultation vas
going on between Mrs. Bent and her
daughters, Plnkie, safe locked in her
loom. was holding one With herself-tears
sparkling in her eyes, bat her face was
full of mirth.
81 will" she muttered. 81 will do it!
II will he good enough for them. know
I can 1t will teach them good lesson.
But I'll have to work like Trojan to get
the dress ready. Let me see what have
got that will do Hs! have II! That
old tableau dress will be Just the thing.
How lucky brought i'll" she chuckled
as she shook out the folds Of the white
muslin OF the most sntiquated country
fashion. '.N,w l can 60 to sleep and
rest easy for an hour. Awkward and
dowdy'-that is what will he''-and in
Eve minutes mischievous Pinkie Bent
was sound asleep.
Anxiety and vexation had made Carrie
III and It was with most un5ecomin ing
fl1sh on ber harrassei face that che ap-
peared in the drawing-room few mo.
ments before the dinner.hour. There
sat the cousin from K ,nsas! Was ever
such figure seen In New York draw
ing room beforep
A plsin white muslin, made in the
shepherdess style. very full and very
short, scarlet stockings. . broad scarlet
sash, and worst OF ell, on the head tur.
ban of white muslin With scarlet pop.
py dauntine in front! That is what the
malicious Pinkie had done with herself,
whose trunks we're fol of exquisite
French gowns such as her cousins had
never owned and .hai. not often seen,
She knew at least that the opals on ber
soft white neck would command GER
tain sort Of respect, even from inhospit.
able relatives.
"Thank heaven che wore them! That
will show people she at least has money.
That necklace couldn't have cost less
than 81 600
"Yes," said Pinkie nonchaIantly "Ma
likes 'em hest Of all she's got. They're
mas. / like flowers better; I'm great
on artificial flowers; always wear 'em
every day."
The guests we're already arriving, Mr..
Bsnt himself among than he having, &C.
cording to the fashiors Of New York bu.
siness men, arrived home only in time
to dress for dinner. His heart was go
full of affectionate welcome for bis niece,
whom be remembered we'll ss beauti-
ful child OF ten, only half dozen years
ago, that be did not q, 6rst note anything
but the lovely upll led eyes ami tha Al.
fectionate voice.
As the dinner progressed even unob-
servant Mr.. Bent became aware that bis
niece's attire was not what it should he
and that. her voice vas too loud. "Bul
the women folks can soon st.aighten tha,
all out, and the child's as pretty as pic
ture."
So also thought the Hon. Mr.. Morris
who,. to Carries vexaticn, on being told
by her that the Young lads in white Was
cousin from Kansas. bad exclaimed:
"From Kansas! How delighted am
That Is the State OF all others am most
interested in seeing. am going gu,
there 10 the spring. II all Kansas ladies
have 90 wonderful complex on az your
cousin, that is another reason for visit
ing the region. Prav, present me to her,
will your ] should like to ask her maay
questions. Perhsps, ah"-he stammered
with the curious mixture of audscity and
diffiience one often sees in Englishmen,
'sperhaps your mother will be so very
good as to let me have the pleasure OF
sitting BY her side at dinner-that is, II
it will not disarrange your plans"
II am quite sure mamma will not re-
lirqrish the pleasure OF having you
Chi fly to herself during dinner" quickly
responded Carrie, her heart full OF anger
and modification. Nevertheless, several
times In the course of the dinner, Mr..
Morris heard the shril voice and thought
to himself: "Wha. q pity The American
voice is so high. .pitchedr'
When the gentlemen Joined the ladies
10 the drawing.raom Mr.. Morris looked
eagerly for the Kansas cousin not see.
ing her he accosted Mrs. Bent With true
English bluffness:
IL do not see your niece from Kansas /;
I hope she has not gone; was cuanling
on talking with her oil the rest OF the
evening"
With mingled resentment and confu.
sion Mrs. Bent replied:
INV niece went up stairs im mediateiy
after dinner"
In truth, Mrs. Bent was Ia state OF
nervous bewilderment without for mo
ment .suspecting the real reason of PIN
kie's withdrawal. she bad perceived that
the girl Was greatly moved as she came
quickly to her when they we're entering
Tue dra wing.room.
"Aunt. must ask you to excuse me /:
I am going up stairs to change my Dress;
am not dressed as | should have been" !"
"Never mind, child, never mind"
Pinkie was gone.
1t did not take her long 10 fnish her
transformation touches. The dainty
white surah silk, With billowy reaches oI
white lace from belt TO hem, the soft,
clinging gloves 10 the shoulders,the opal
bracelets, the white ostrich feather fan