The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-01-13
chuckled, as she shook out the folds of


country fashion. "Now I can SO to
sleep, and rest easy for an hour. 'Awk.
ward and dowdy, ,'--that is what I will
be-" and in five minutes mischievous
Pinkie Bent was sound asleep.
ANXIETY and vexation had made Car
rie i'll, and it was with a most unbecom-
ing flush on her harassed face that she
appeared in the drawing room few
moments before the dinner-hour. There
sat the cousin from Kansas? Was ever
such figure seen in New York draw
ingroom before2
A plain whire muslin, made in the
shephcrdess style, very full and very
short, scarlet stockings. broad scarlet
sash, and worst of all. on the head
turban of white muslin, with a
scarlet poppy Haunting 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 not
often seen. She knew at least that the
'opals on her soft white neck would
command certain sort of respect, even
from inhospita5le relatives.
"Thank heaven she wore them! That
will show people she at least has
money. That necklace couldn't have
cost less than $1,000"
eyes" said Pinkie, nonchalantly.
'Ma likes 'em best of all she's got.
They're mas. like flowers better. I'm
great on artificial flowers; always wear
'em every day."
The guests were already dy arriving, Mr..
Bent himself among them, he having,
according to the fashion of New York
business men, arrived home only in time
! to dress for dinner. His heart was so
full of affcctionate 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 lovely upIifted eyes and the affection
ate voice.
AS the dinner progressed, even unob-
servant Mr.. Bent became aware that his
niece's attire was not what it should be,
and that her voice was to loud. 'But
the women folks can soon straighten that
all out, and the child's as pretty as a
picture"
So also thought the Hon. Mr.. Morris.
who, to Carries vexation. on being told
bv her that the young lady in white was
a cousin, who had arrived most inoppor-
tuncly from Kansas, had exclaimed {:
"From Kansas! How delighted I am.
That is the State of all others am most
interested in seeing. 1 am going out
! there in the spring. If all Kansas ladies
have so wonderful q complexion as your
cousin, that is another reason for visiting
the region. Pray, present me to her,
will you2 I should like to ask her many
questions. Perhaps, ah"-he stammercd
with the curious mixture OF diffidence
and audacity one often secs in English
men, "perhaps your mother will be so
very good as to let me have the pleasure
of sitting by her side at dinncr-that is,
if it will not disarrange your plans"
81 am quite sure mamma will not re-
liquish the pleasure of having you chief
ly to herself during dinner quickly re-
spondcd Carrie, her heart full of anger
and modification. Nevertheless, several
times in the course Of the dinner, Mr..
Morris heard the shrill voice, and
thought to himself, What a pity the
American voice is 80 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 bluffncss: II do not see your
niece from Kansas; I hope she has not
gone; I was counting on talking with
her all the rest of the evening""
With mingled resentment AMI confu-
sion. Mrs. Re,t replied: "My niece
went up stairs Immediately after dinner" "
In truth, Mrs. Bent was in state of
nervous bewilderment. Without for q
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, I must ask you to excuse me.
am going up stairs to change my
dress; am not DIRE :scd as | should have
been"
"Nevcr mind, child, never mind"
Pinkie was gone.
It did not take her long to finish her
transformation touches. The dainty
white surah silk. with bil,owy reaches 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
readiness. But at last Pinkic's heart
failed her.
1T was a shameful trick to play on
them. I shall cry, know | shall; and
Id rather die than cry before that Eng
l1shman."
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 that led
Pinkie. on entering the drawing.room.
to glide swiftly to her uncle's lie, and
putting both hands into his, say:
Dear Uncle Silas, won'tyou make my
peace with aunt. and ask your friends
here to forgive me for masquerading at
your dinner?"
Before she had half finished speaking.
the company had gathered close around
her.
81 must say" began Mrs. Bent, in an
angry tone. But Pinkie went on reso-
lutely:
81 could not resist the temptation to
live up to the New Workers. idea of a
Kansas girl. just for an hour or two.
! You know that | was exactly the sort Of
person you ali expected to see from the
West" She gathered courage as she
saw smiles. Yes, you all know it,"
embracing the group in her appealing