Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1888-04-06
could lend me a PEI.

could lend me a pen.
IL am afraid have no slate pencil, .
faltered Esther.
''Well, pipe would do; haven't you
pipe handle2 Just common white
pipe, such as the children have for soap
bubbles, you know"
IF thee will wait a moment viii
see" said the discreet Esther.
Edith in the meantime made her way
back to her own room and waited in
suspense, while Esther went slowly down
stairs, questioning her conscience, and
yet very loath to disappoint the little witch
who was depending upon her. She had
made up her mind to be very tolerant Of
the worldliness of Roberts fiance, but to
be suddenly called upon to aid and abet
her in It, was almost more than could be
reasonably expected Of her, even by Rob
ert. And yet il would be so unfortunate
to begin the visit with a family jar She
had a terrible consciousness that there
was a pipe in the house Richard, her
little nephew, had had it for soap bub-
bles only the week beforehand to tell a
lie, even white lie, and permit herself
TO be unable TO find it, was something
more terrible to Esther's conscience than
even conniving at curl. As it hap
pened, however, she really could not find
it. Here was certainly sufficient excuse
for going back empty handed; and yet,
and yet-when she came to the foot Of
the stairs. Esther, instead of going up,
turned aside into the kitchen.
Bridget, could thee spare q moment
to go across to the corner grocery and
get me a pipe-a common white clay
pipel"
"a pipe, is itS" said the wondering
Bridget.
eyes, Bridget; a pipe; pipe for-for
blowing soap bubbles" stammered Es-
ther. ''Thee knows, Bridget-a pipe
such as Richard had for his play
eyes, know, said Bridget, wiping
her hands on her apron, and then remov-
ing the apron. ''And is it soap bubbles
they do be wantin' to blow already
Faith, I'll send 'em up plate full for
dinner"
Edith has won her first battle, wrote
Mrs. Marvin TO her husband that even
ing, ''and without wound OF scar on
either side. only wish you had been
here with your detective camera to get
an instantaneous picture of the two girls
when Edith opened the door and Esther
handed her the pipe"
As Edith had confidently expected, it
was tine first of q long series Of victories
over Roberts relations, which she gained,
not by trampling down their prejudices
under the high heels of her French
slippers, but by quietly teaching them to
like her just as she was. She had an
infinite amount Of the gracious tact
which comes with a certain kind of aris-
tocratic, high bred worldliness, and she
was at heart most winningly affection
ate and true hearted girl. Had she been
merely a wording, the French slippers
would not have fought for her or con-
quered her enemies, but Roberts rela-
tons made the surprising discovery that
really sweet hearted creature remains
sweet even on high heels; and before a
week was over Edith was the acknowl- /
edged ruler Of the entire household.
1t was even decided in family conclave
that it would do to give her what, in the
worldly world, would be known as a
reception" They had no idea Of doing
this in looking forward to her visit. It
was felt that it would be concession
enough for them to consent to receive as !
a visitor into the bosom of their own |
family the young woman who had disap- |
pointed their fondest hopes for the Sc
curity of Robert future. To have their |
friends to meet her, to see her in the full |
blaze of her effrontery Of long silk gown |
and perhaps even of diamonds, would be |
to advertise their shame, the disgrace Of |
the entire family, in way not to be con- !
templated for a moment. They would |
endure, but they would not publish 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 knowledge on |
the part Of the family that Edith would /
surpass all her previous
efforts on this occasion in the art of deco
ration. Edith, however, had her own
plans. On-the evening before the solemn /
entertainment, she slipped up stairs, took
off all her bangs, brushed her hair down
perfectly smooth and straight over her
little ears, twisting it very plainly be-
mind, and then drew from her trunk
little gown of pale gray cashmere, reach
ng barely to her ankles, and without
'uffle or q fold, except the fewest possible
1laits at the waist, and absolutely guilt
ess of ornamentation Of any kind A
my scarf of white illusion was crossed
)ver her breast, and her contemplated
oilet was complete. Nevertheless, she
herself in the glass with evident
dissatisfaction.
Dear me, mamma, it isn't half so bad
IS I thought it would be. I meant to
ook like fright, and after all it. rather
Effective. If were dressed for private
heatricals / should think myself i'm
nense. Oh, dearl suppose they should
ike me best this way after alll'
1t was sorrowful blow to her hopes
N this trump card to find herself still
xceedingly pretty. She was perfectly
Of a certain piquant charm in
Ter novel appearance that might undo
Ter after all Still she would run the
isk. She was a perfect little actress.
anything had been needed to effect
iobert's complete subjugation after his
irst vision of her loneliness at the Har-
ard assemblies, it was supplied when he
aw her the week after in some private
heatricals. She could appear to be q
luaAeress just as effectively as she could
ct her moro natural self In O very differ
mt world, and it was with face and &C.
ent and manner perfectly adapted to
er new toilet that she quietly entered
he parlor again after her escapade up
tairs, and said demurely to Roberts
lother:
"Rachel, would thee like me to wear
his gown tomorrow evening for thy
riends?"
There was a subdued whistle of delight
rom the reconstructed Robert in the
orner. But Roberts mother gave no
gn.
Thee must wear just what thee
leases, Edith. If e pleases thee better
} wear thy gown of red sikh
And the wise Edith understood human
ature well enough to be sure that
Ropba1f .vot7ld NOT lo olA,c-.tl,o,. lseo,,