Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1886-12-18
"sho doesn't like it, that's plain, ,

ONO uOeSnJ U ike IL, tnats pam,
mused Warren. "But she'll do 1t. A
plucky determined girl, that is--and a
pretty one. She ought to be going as
invited guest, and not merely as news
paper reporter. She could hold her own
with most of the society bellies in face,
figure and manners; and as for brains,
why, she's way ahead there. l know I'd
rather be up in the dressing-room talking
to her toni lght than down In the ballroom
Waiting with the prettiest bud of the
season."
Punctually at ten o'clock that evening
Sara entered tho dressing room at Mrs.
Rossiter's. AS she assembled the stairs,
she had glimpscs of the drawing.room,
and the picture gallery, which tonight
was devoted to the dancers. Both were
brilliant with lights, and fragrant with
flowers, but as yet were nntenanted. A
brief interview was accorded her, as rep
resentative of the Record by tine hostess
and her daughter, who were desirous of
seeing their own elaborate Partisan cos
tunes fully described; and then she was
permitted TO ensconce herself in a snug
corner at the side of the large mirror,
where she could pass in review each
toilet, while the fair wearer thereof took
last fond glance at her own charms be-
fore submitting them to general criti-
cism.
Sara had made 40 attempt at evening
dress; but she could not help being
very pleasant object as she sat there in
her well-made, dark blue camels-hair
and velvet Sunday gown, lighted up by
a bunch Of carnations; her dark, glossy
hlir piled up in soft, wavy mass, and
her flushed cheeks giving new brillancy
to the clear, wideawake eyes. which
looked as though no details could escape
their notice.
Presently the room began to fill up,
and the great mirror reflected oneradiant
vision after another; and Sara's hands
and eyes were so busy taking notes that
she lost all elf-consciousness, and was
obvious of the curious glances now and
then cast in her direction. One group
gave place to another, and there was no
time to study faces; the general effect
and material of costume was all that
she could grasp-the wearer was but an
animsted lay-fgure to the busy reporter
in the corner.
But after while there was lull in
the arrivals. and the latest comers,
group of pretty, stylish girls, who seemed
to be all on intimate terms, fingered and
chatted together, and seemed to be in nc
haste to descend. Sara had given to
each her line of description, and was
leaning back with folded arms for
moments rest, when she was startled by
the vision of q satin slipper raised to the
level of her knee, while quick, imperi
GUS voice exclaimed:
"There, just bottom that strap, will
youT'
Pushing back her chair, Sara arose and
looked the young lady full in the eye foI
a moment; then, turning to the maid, she
said: "Marie, your services are re-
quired here" and herself crossed the
room to seat by the window.
There was brief silence, and then the
same imperious voice reached her ears:
"Well, did one ever see such airsi
Who is she, and what's she here forI"
The French maid probably made answer
here, for the next moment the voice
went on; "Oh, newspaper reporter, is
it, II that's all, she needn't have felt
aggrieved at being taken for a maid,
I'm sure" and scornful laugh rounded
the sentence. A few filters followed
from other members of the group, and
Saras eyes flashed with Indignation,
while her cheeks outhued her carnations.
Then a clear young voice spoke up:
For shame, girls she looks like lady,
and you can't suppose she likes being 4
here. Don't make her position any harder
by snubbing her"
Sara looked gratefully at the speaker.
and saw that she was the youngest and
prettiest OF the group-a lovely blonde,
whose charming attire had already won
her admiration, though the sweet face
above it had not been noticed before.
Evidently, too, she was of social
importance, for her companions
seemed to be impressed by her
words and the greatest offender had the
grace to look ashamed of herself, while
the others broke into chorus: you're
right, Jessie' and under cover of these
ordinations they floated off, and Sara
was at liberty to 90 back to her corner
and wait for the next arrivals. They
weren't long in coming, and again it
happened to be a group of acquaiptances,
full of chatter and laughter. Their
words passed unheeded until the sound
of a certain well-known name drew
sara's attention.
eyes" said one lady. II saw them
as ! came up.stairs-Jessie and Mr..
Warren" "0h. heard he was to be
here with his fancee." And a third
speaker chimed in with: "Well, you'll
see she's the loveliest girl in the room
a perfect blonde-with the sweetest ex-
preston, and so amiable, hear"
There was more gossip, and other
names were mentioned. but the girl in
the corner gave no heed to it. So her
employer was guest in this house, aud
that charming girl who bad just tried
to befriend herself was his fiancee.
Well. she was lovely and amiable, no
doubt; and II she seemed rather young
for the grave and dignifed chief, why,
men liked those bright young girls, who
aadn't a care in life except TO make the
most OF their prettiness. And, any way,
it was no concern of hers.
The hour was growing late now, there
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