The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-04-08

drcssing-table which held a single
fading rose.
What did she sec in its rusty petals
and crumplcd leaf to call up that curious
half-tender light to her face, and why
should this expression die slowly away
and the proud lines of tho exquisite
mouth obtrusively show in its stoadp
Barker" coldly, don't keep flowers
about that are not fresh"
mo, miss" said Barker respectfully,
puf wonderingly; then her eye, too, fell
upon the condemned Marcchal Mel.
IL left ~" rose, miss, because you had
it in your hand last night when you
came in, and there was 4 bit of water in
the vase where you put it, 50 l thought
YOU would not wish it disturbed"
Did faint blush mantle that smooth
white brow, or was it the wanton fire
light which filled the room?
VERY well, Barker; it is of no further
value"
And now the hair is done and the
muslin gown is dofled for robe of pale
India cashmere lined throughout with
quilted satin and trimmed from neck to
hem and at throat and wrists with cost
ly fur. Then Barker hands bit of
embroidered cambric cXhaling faint
spicy fragrance, and draws aside n
heavy porticrc, through which made
moiscllc passes to u morning-room be-
yond, beautiful, cozy apartment full
of bric-a-brac and objects of art, an open
upright piano in one corner, with Il
banjo, the latest craze, tilting lis flat
sphere against one leg. A sea-coal fire
glows in the FURNISHED crate, Il tiger
skin rug sprawls before it, and break
fast service of transparent china and
old silver is set out upon Il claw-legged
mahogany table near the center of the
room.
AS madcmOisclle enters Il beautiful
collie leaps forward, fawning against
her and thrusting his nose under her
caressing hand. His mistress pats him
little absently and moves on to the
table, where at her plato is piled the
morning mail. Letters, notes, cards of
invitation, one or two black-odgcd
funeral announcements, for death moves
in the best society, too-shc looks them
all over without great eagcrness, though
her eyes brighten when she opens one
to read that Il prominent man of fashion
bcgs the honor of leading coming
much-talked-of cotillon with her, nor do
they dull when the next note informs
her that her presence is desired among
small select party which an aristo-
cratic society matrOn is arranging to
take 10 hor country-housc for q winters
lark. She goes on through her letters
while q servant brings the breakfast
fruit, chocolate. q pair of reed birds,
with potatoes n In creme, with an
omelette aux coniitures.
Madcmoisellc cats with relish and
appetite, while the dog, on his launches
by her side, his forefcct on the floor,
makes with his head in the air long,
silky, inclined plane of his back, which
ends effectively in n brush of waving
fur His eyes follow every movement Of
tho fair eater but his dumb cntrcaty
gains him naught till the meal is done
One letter of her many that morning
she has not yet opened. She takes this
now, and rs she breaks the seal the
same tleeting look which the dying rose
had evolved comes back. Tho note is
short, half dozen lines:
81 found my orders awaiting me last
night. | leave tonight. May I call
late this afternoon to say good-by?"
The letter drops from her hand. The
dog sees her cessation from writing and
comes over 10 her 1cGt.
Yes, Sultan" she says, stroking his
head. "hc may come to say good-by,
and then we will think no more of this
charming young officer with his small
pay and slow promotion, and his tempt
ing suggestion of frontier barracks life"
One more letter is quickly added to
the number waiting to be sent, then
madcmoiselle hurries to her room,
where Barker already awaits her.
Twenty minutes later, perfectly
dressed i'll " costume OF cloth and fur,
whose elegant simplicity cqualed its ex-
travagant cost, glovcd like q Fronch-
woman and shod like an English peer
ess, madcmoisclle enters her carriage,
and the tall footman holding the door
bends to receive her initial order.
She drives to her tailor's where she
mounts wooden horse to have new
habit adjusted, to the jewelers. to select
present for fashionable wedding; at
florists she orders a funeral piece sent
to society house of mourning; she
leaves her carriage for five minutes at q
picturc-gallcry to glance at canvas
which her world is discussing; she
shows herself at business meeting of
q charitable organization of which She
Is member long enough to say that
she will stand ut the Russian table in q
coming festival; she drives to the fur
riers to choose her sables, and to her
Dootmaker's for consultation over bot
tines Ia st. Petersburg, and she hurrics
finally into the boudoir of her dearest
friend:
Just to hope. dear, that you are 90
ing down to Oakcliff with Mrs. L. on
the 21st, No? So sorry. And, Oh,
Nell, will you kindly lend me that little
book on figures for the german your
brother sent out from Vienna last
month? Mr. r. and want some novel
ties for the Worthington ball"
THAT is tho last" she says to herself
thankfully when she has kissed her
friend good-by, and Home" is the
word the footman takes as he climbs to
the coachman' 8 side.
1t is 2:3O when Barker is getting her
out of her outdoor wraps, and luncheon
is served, she is told. That meal over.
she must give her maid ten minutes
confab over the evenings dresses and
twonty more to criticiSc an arrangement