Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-01
Think of 4 private, now, perhaps,
Wen saw like Tim
HOW WE MADE UP.

II l live to be rs Old as she was that
night | shall never forget Madame Gar
lands birthday ball.
She gave it on her eighty-fourth
birthday, Just few weeks after her
grandson, Garth, had asked me to
marry him. To be sure, she knew
nothing Of our engagement as yet, and
had never seen me, as far as l knew;
so that had nothing to do with it.
"Grandma told me to ask all the nice
young people | knew" said Garth.
You will come, won't you? Iwant to
show you the house, the family pic
lures, and conservatory. You know,
when my parents died grandma took
me there, mere baby; and it will be
mine one day, and yours-for the Will
leaves all to me-"
"Oh, don't, Garth! I can't bear to
think of people dying. You nave a
professionalism are doctor--that is
enough"
oh, adore grandma?' said Garth;
but you will one day live herewith
her. hope. l want to introduce you.
Youth like her, and slIU'n like YOU inn
mensely."
81 hope so. But L shall not have
tine to make a new dress" [ said. 81
must come in my white muslin"
.WhateVcr YOU wear" he said-but
| shan tell you what it was that he
said. Lovers say the same things,
and girls Ike to listen to them, the
Grid over.
'.Zebuion shall drive me over" /
said.
'But don't let him drive you home"
said he. LET us walk home together"
I liked that idea. I told my aunt
that Garth wanted me to go to the
ball.
You may go, " said she. Madame
Garland is one of the best people,
though she thinks too much of herself
by aalf [ used to meet her at the
church sewing-circle, but she offended
me. No matter, since You and GARTH
are engaged, and she is such a very
old woman"
Then my aunt advised me about my
dress, and the evening of the ball
came. and Zebulon was at the door,
My white dress was pure as q lily
leaf, and my soft silk sash was the
palest blue. | had q bunch of roses in
my belt Their fragrance was all
about me.
Goodnight, child. Enjoy your
self, said my aunt, as she kissed me.
Oh, surely should, l thought, as
slipped into the little carriage, and
WAS driven away, my heart fairly
trimming over with happiness, and
full of such vague but beautiful hopes.
Garth met me at the door, and in
troduced me, as he did all the young
people, to his grandmother; and if her
manner was a little Condescending,
she was so old that it seemed right
enough To our youth, and we most
vi lis knew each other-at least by
sight.
The elder folk of the party kept
rather by themselves, and most Of
three long tables set for supper, with
flowers, and silver, and crystal. We
peeped in at them, and guessed that
the feast would not be poor one.
Meanwhile there was dancing.
Garth danced with me first, That was
something. And he told me that he
wanted to dance with no one else; only
as host he must be polite to all And
so young Mr. Tom Twattles trod on
my toes and begged pardon during the
following dances, while Garth took
other partners, as in duty bound.
1t was Just at the end of the fourth
dance that the door opened, and there
stood in it an elegant young lady.
Her face was lovely, her figure was
elegant, her dress was so magnificent
that none of US ever saw anything
like it. Beside her stood an important
looking matron, blazing with jewels
and clad in black lace.
She advanced; Madame Garland rose.
She had merely bowed, as she sat, to
others.
my dear Mrs. Lamar" she said,
pressing the lady's hand. my dear
est Coralier'
She imprinted kiss on the young
beauty's lips. and turning to her
grandson, said. in tones we all heard
plainly:
Garth, you remember our dear
friends. I depend on you to see that
this evening is made pleasant for Miss
Coralie. You are to devote yourself
to this task. l know it will be a de-
lightful one"
Then the last dance before supper
was played, and saw him dance it
with Coralie Lamar.
Snnnar vua9 announced.