The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-06-21

course. You know, nav e duOLIleE D3ng
in nv trunk Edith made this frank
confession with a wild instinct that it
would be best for Roberts relatives to
know the worst at once, 50 that any
possible concessions to be made after
ward. though she would rot yet ac-
knowledge the possibility of concession
would strike them in the light of unex-
pected improvement. But my trunk
hasn't come; so il you could lend me Il
pencil"'
IL am afraid have no slate-pcn-
ell, " faltered Esther.
We'll, pipe would do; haven't You
pipe handy? just common white
pipe, such as the children have for soap
bubbles. YOU know?"
II thee will wait moment | will
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
downstairs, questioning her conscience
and vet very loath to disappoint the
little witch who was depending upon
her. She had made up her mind to he
very tolerant of the worldliness of
Roberts fiaucee, but to be suddenly
called upon to aid and abet her in it
was almost more than could be reason
ably expected OF her, even by Robert.
And vet it would be 50 unfortunate to
| begin the visit with family jar. She
| had terrible consciousness that there
was pipe in the hOuge-Richard, her
little nephew, had had it for soap-bub-
| bles only the week beforehand to tell
a lie, even a white lie. and permit her
| self to be unable to find it, was some
! thing more terrible to Esther's con
| science than even cOnniving at a curl.
As it happened, however. she really
could not find it, Here was certainly
| sufficient excuse for going back empty
| handed. and yct-and yct-when she
came to the foot of the stairs, Esther,
| instead of going up, turned aside into
| the kitchen
Bridget, could thee spare moment
| to 90 across to the corner grocery and
| get me pipe-a common white clay
! Pipc?'
- pipe, is it?" said the wondering
Bridget.
| Yes. Bridget, pipe; a pipe for
! for blowing sOap-bubblcs, stammercd
Esther. Thee knows. Bridget-a pipe
such rs Richard had for his play
Yes. / know said Bridget. wip-
! inc her hands on her apron, and then
removing the apron. And is it soap
| bubbles they do be wantin' to blow al
ready? Faith, I'll send EN- up plate
fun for dinner
Edith has Won her first battle
wrote Mrs. Marvin to her husband that
| evening, land without wound or :.
| scar on either side. | only wish YOU
/ had been here with Your detective
! camera 10 get an instantaneous picture
OF the two girls when Edith opened the
! door and Esther handed her the pipe. :
As Edith had confidently expected. il
| was the first of Il long series of victories
! over Roberts relatives, which she
| gained, not by trampling down THEN
prejudices under the high heels of heI
| French slippers, but by quietly teach
ing them to like her Just as She was.
| She had an infinite amount of the gra-
cious tact which comes with a certain
! kind of ariStOcratic, high bred WOrldli-
ness, and She was ut heart most win
! ming, atfectionatc, and truc-hcarted
! girl. Had she been merely u world
ling the French slippers would not have
! fought for her or conquered her en-
! cmies, but Roberts relatives made the
! surprising discovery that really
| sWeet-hearted creature remains sweet
/ even on high heels, and before n week
was over Edith was the acknowledged
! ruler Of the entire household.
1t was even decided in family con.
clave that it would do to give her what,
/ in the worldly world. would be known
as a ''rcccption.n They had no idea
Of doing this in looking forward to heI
visit 1t was felt that ii would be con
ccssion enough for them to consent tC
receive as a visitor into the bosom OF
their own family the youngwoman who
had disappointed their fondest hopes
for the security Of Roberts future. To
| have their friends to meet her. to sec
| her in the full blaze of her etfrontery OF
! long, silk gown, and perhaps even OF
| diamonds. would be to advertise theil
| shame. the disgrace of the entire fami-
! ~, in u way not to he contemplated 70.
a moment. They would endure, but
| they would not publish to the world the
fact Of what they were called upon t.
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 knowI.
| 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, twist.
ing il very plainly behind. and ther
drew from her trunk little gown ot
pale gray cashmere. reaching barely tc
her ankles, and without a rufiie or 2
fold, except the feWcst possible plaits
At the waist. and absolutely guiltless
of ornamCutation of any kind. A tiny
scarf of white illusion was crossed over
her breast, and her contemplated toilet
| was complctc. Nevertheless, She sur.
vcycd herself in the glass with evident
dissatisfaction.
Dear me. mamma, it isn't half st
bad thought it would be. | meant tc
look like a fright. and after all it's
rather effective. If were dressed fol
private theatricals | should think my
self immense. Oh. dear. suppose the
should like me best this way after alp
1t was Il sorrowful blow to her hope
on this trump card 10 find herself stii
exceedingly pretty. She was perfect,
conscious Of a certain pjquant charm
in her novel appearance that might IN
do her after all. Still she would rui
the risk. She was perfect little ac
tresS. If anything had been needed t,
effect Roberts complete subiu@atiol
after his first vision of her loneliness a
the Harvard assemblies it was supple,
when he saw her the week afterin SOM
private theatrjeals. She could appea
to be a quakeress Just as effectively a
she could act her more natural self in
very different world, and it was witt
face and accent and manner perfectl
adapted to her new toilet that she quiet
ly entered the parlor again after her es
capade upstairs, and said demurely I,