The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-04-22


know l can. 1t will teach them a good
lesson. But shall have to work like a
Trojan to get the dress done. Let me see
what | have got that win do. Ha!
have it 4! That old tableau dress will be
just the thing"
How lucky l brought it :" she chuck
led, as she shook out the folds of white
muslin of the most antiquated country
fashion. Now l can 60 TO sleep and
rest easy for an hour, awkward and
dowdy.' That is what l will be-" and in
five minutes mischevous Pinkie Bent was
sound asleep.
Anxiety and vexation had made Carrie
i'll, and it was with a most unbecoming
flush on her harassed face that she ap-
peared in the drawing room a few mo-
ments before the dinner hour. There sat
the cousin from Kansas. Was ever such
figure seen in a New York drawing
room before %
A plain white muslin madt..in the shep-
hcrdcss style, very full and very short,
scarlet stockings, a broad scarlet sash, and
worst of all, on her head turhan of white
muslin, with scarlet poppy Haunting in
front This is what the malicious F'.lkie
had done with herself, whose trunks were
full Of exquisite French gowns, such as
her cousins had never owned, and not Of
ten seen. She knew at least that opals on
soft white would command certain sort
OF respect even from her inhospitablc rcla-
tivcs.
Thank heaven, she wore them That
will show people she at least has money.
That necklace couldn't have cost less than
81 900,
Yes" replied Pnkie, 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..
lient himself among them, he having ac-
cor'ling to the fashion Of New York bust
ness men. arrived home only in time to
dcesS for dinner. His heart was so full of
afectlonatc welcome for his niece, whom
he remembered as a beautiful child Of ten,
only half dozen years ago, that he did
not at first note anything but the lovely
upliited eyes and the afectionate voice.
As the dinner progressed even unob-
servant Mr.. Bent became aware that his
niccc's attire was not what it should be.
and that her voice was too loud. But the
women folks soon Strengthened that all
ont, and the chid's as pretty as a pic
turc."
So also thought the Hon. Mr. Morris,
who, to Carries vexation, on being told
by her that the young lady in white was
a cousin, who had arrived most inoppor-
tuncly from Kansas, had exclaimed
From Kansas How delighted am
That is the state of all others | am most
interested in seeing. If all the Kansas
ladies have so wonderful complexion as
your cousin, that is another reason for
visiting the region. Pray present me to
her, will you? | should like to ask her
many questions. Perhaps, eh ?" he stam-
mercd, with the curious mixture of diff
dencc and audacity one so often sees in
Engishmcn-" perhaps your mother will
be so good as to let me have the pleasure
of sitting by her side at dinncr-that is, if
1t will not disarrange your plans"
" am quite sure mamma will not re-
lmquisll the pleasure of having you chiefly
to herself at dinner" responded Carrie,
her heart full of anger and mortifica-
ton.
Nevertheless, several times in the
course Of the dinner Mr. Morris heard the
shrill voice and thought to himself
"What pity the American voice is so
high pitched -
When the gentlemen joined the ladies
in the drawing-room Mr.. Morris looked
eagerly for the Kansas cousin. Not see
ing her, he accosted Mrs. Bent with true
English bluffness:
don't see your niece from Kansas.
| hope she is not gone. l was counting
on talking with her the rest of the even
ing"
With mingled resentment and confil-
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 cause of Pin
kiess withdrawal, she had perceived that
the girl was greatly moved as she came
swiftly to her when they were entering
the drawing room.
Aunt, | must ask you to excuse me.
l am going up stairs to change my dress;
l was not dressed as | should have
been."
"Never mind, child, never mind"
Pinkie was gone.
1t did not take long for her to. finish
her transformation touches. The dainty
white surah silk with billowy reach Of
white lace from belt to hem, the soft
clinging gloves to the shoulders, the opal
bracelets, the white ostrich feather fan, the
white satin slippers-all were in readi-
ness. But at last Pinkie's heart failed
her.
cit was shameful trick to play on
them. shall cry; l know shall, and
I'd rather die than cry before that Eng
lishman."
At last she stole down slowly, hesitat-
ingly. Black Ben caught sight of her
first, and reeled back with excitement.
1t was an unerring instinct which led
Pinkie, on entering the drawing room, to
glide swiftly to her uncle's side, and put
ting both hands into his, say:
"Dear Uncle Sila,, won't Hyou make
my peace with aunt, and ask your friends
here to forgive me for masquerading at
dinner?'
Before she had half finished speaking
the company had gathered close around
her.
SCI must say" began Mrs. Bent, in
an angry tone. But Pinkie went on res
olutely:
81 could not resist the temptation to
live up to the New Workers. idea of