The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1888-12-27

There was q great dinner party AT
Brandon Hall, which was to be followed
by ball the next night. Numerous
guests had arrived to share in these fes-
6vities, and among these was . very
pretty girl named Florence Molyneux.
She found herself consigned to the care
Of q very good-looking young man.
whom Lady Brandon had introduced to
her as Captain Chichester. When they
had taken their places at the dinner
table. which glittercd with crystal and
was tastefully decorated with wreaths
Of flowers. she ventured q remark:
"How pretty all this Isl I never saw
anything like it before. The flowers
are laid in wreaths upon the table-cloth
and see some Of my old country
friends, wild flowers and ferns. l am
afraid they must feel very awkward"
.Uh. no. said Captain Chichester.
smiling. Tits very pleasant TO be sd-
mired and thought pretty. Do you not
find it SOP / believe this is your first
dinner party, is it notp''
How do you knowe" inquired Flor.
ence, anxiously. Am very awkwards
Have done anything wrongp"
mot at all, /" laughed Captain Chi
chester. Lady Brandon told me. SO
thought you would know how the fow-
ers felt
"But that is quite different. Flowers
can't do wrong. and besides they will
be all dead tomorrow; they win pay for
their pleasure"
Il am afraid you will find pleasure
and pain go hand in hand" said Cap
tain Chichester. looking at her pretty.
blushing face.
What pain shall I have to bear?n
she asked; everything Is delightful;
and the ball Tomorrow. I have never
been at ball. " At this moment her
next neighbor aWkwardly upset glass
of champagne into her lap. Florence
uttered an exclamation of dismay.
Il feel quite guilty." said Captain
Chichester; ssI am prophet OF i'll.
Here is trouble already; let me help
you. Is your dress quite spoiltpn
lob, thank your cried Florence; ut
II no mstter. Yes. it does matter.
though, for this was the dress was to
wear tomorrow night"
but what will You do?''
well, have an old black dress, not
nearly rs nice as this, but it must do. -
but could you not put in pieeeP''
said Captain Chichester What is the
stuff called calicoe''
..0h, no-tarlatan. said Florence,
laughing.
But il you spoke to Lady Brandon,
she would get you some"
ssOh, no." besought Florence. "Prsy
say nothing about it,
II must say you bear your pain hero
ically," said Captain Chichester; land
now ] have the pain OF telling you
Lady Brandon Is bowling to you, and
You must 60"
Florence ran upstairs and changed
her dress. making as little as she could
Of her misfortune; but - soon as she
had lett the room she became the sub
iect Of discussion among the other la
dies. Miss Jane Morris. . sour-faced.
plain. and not very attractive young
lady leading the attack.
SO that Is Miss Molyneux, - she ssid,
addressing Miss Brandon. my dear
Ada. ! thought you said she was prettyi
Why she e not good looking. and she
is such dirt. and 90 very forward lis
she not, Jsnea II you only heard the
way she went on with Captain Chiches-
tar! She never lot him say word to me.
Once - tried, but she Instantly upset :
glass Of wine into har lap. and such :
fuss 6 she msde sbost its heard her
falling him she had no other dress TO
wesx q tie ball. /"
oh: / an 20 sorry, said Ada II