St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1888-03-17

in the worldly world, would be known
as a reception" They had had nc
idea of doing this in looking forward
to her visit. 1t was felt that it would
be concession enough for them to con-
sent to receive as visitor into the
bosom of their own family the young
woman who had disappointed their fond.
esthopes for the security of Robert flu
ture. To have their friends to meet
her, to see her in the full blaze of her
effrontery of long silk gown and per-
haps even of diamonds, would be to
advertise their shame, the disgrace of
the entire family, in a way MOTTO be
contemplated for moment. They
would endure, but they would not pub
lish to the world the fact of what they
were called upon to endure.
And yet-and yet-at the end of a
fortnight preparations were on hand
for all their friends to come and see
this wonderful Edith, with full knowl-
edge on the part of the family that
Edith would undoubtedly surpass all
her previous efforts on this occasion in
| the art of decoration. Edith, however,
had her own plans. On the evening
| before the solemn entertainment, she
slipped upstairs, took off all her bangs.
brushed her hair down perfectly
| smooth and straight over her little
ears, twisting it very plainly behind.
| and then drew from her trunk q little
gown of pale gray cashmere, reaching
barely to her ankles, and without
ruffie or fold, except the fewest pos
sible plaits at the waist, and absolute
ly guiltless of ornamentation of any
kind. A tiny scarf of white illusion
was crossed over her breast, and her
contemplated toilet was complete
Nevertheless, she surveyed herself
in the glass with evident dissatisfac-
ton.
'Dear me, mamma, it isn't half so
bad as thought it would be. meant
to look like a fright and after all it's
rather effective. If were dressed for
private theatricals l should think
myself immense. Oh. dear! suppose
they should like me best this way after
an!'
1t was sorrowful blow to her hopes
on this trump card to find herself still
exceedingly pretty: She was perfectly
conscious of a certain piquant charm
in her novel appearance that might
undo her after all. Still she would run
the risk. She was perfect little ac-
tress. If any thing had been needed
to effect Roberts complete subjuga-
ton, after his first vision of her love-
illness at the Harvard Assemblies, it
was supplied when he saw her the week
after in some private theatricals. She
could appear to be Quakeress just as
effectively as she could act her more
natural self in very different world;
and it was with face and accent and
manner perfectly adapted to her new
toilet that she quietly entered the par
lor again after her escapade up stairs,
and said demurely to Roberts mother:
Rachel, would thee like me to wear
this gown tomorrow evening for thy
friends?"
There was subdued whistle of de-
light from the reconstructed Robert
in the corner. But Roberts mother
gave no sign.
"Thee must wear just what thee
pleases, Edith. If it pleases thee bet
ter to wear thy gown of red silk"
And the wise Edith understood hui
man nature well enough to be sure
that Rachel would not be altogether
disappointed if her pretty future daugh-
ter-in-law should reconsider her toilet
and re-appear in the dainty gowns she
had been exhibiting for the past fort
night
''And what does Samuel thinkp''
Edith asked, passing on to stand be-
fore Roberts father.
Samuel thinks" said the old gem
tleman, slyly, "that thee had better.
ask Robert
"Oh. no, papa Samuel, that would
not be any test at all; thee knows per-
fectly well that Robert likes me in any
thing" said Roberts fan Gee, demure-
ly.
''And SO do like thee in any thing"
said papa Samuel, with unexpected |
gallantry. but think I like thee
best, Edith, in red. Thee knows we
Quakers like to follow the way that is
most simple and natural, and ! think
red is the most natural for thee. I
think thee must have been born in that
red silk of thine. Thee is very sweet
to me, my child. in this Quaker gray;
but we Quakers, thee knows, do not
approve of theatricals, and think to-
night thee is trying TO play part. Thee
acts it VERY prettily, Edith, but advise
thee to go back to nature and thy red
gowns.
So the battle was won. and the re-
suit proved that Edith was quite able
10 conquer, not only Roberts rela-
ions, but Roberts relations friends.
When, year later, she came back to
hem again as bride, there was but
one thing left for her to conquer.
Robert had prepared her for possible
7isit from elderly friends who might
.hink it their duty to demonstrate with
Ter, or with him, on this very worldly