The Evening post. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1888-1889, 1889-01-05
A NEW YEARS CALL.

81 am going to spend New Years Day
in the city with my cousins said Myrtle
Follett, decidedly. "There's nothing
going on In poky farm. house, while
my cousins receive calls and have
beautiful time"
"Why, Bruce Garland is coming over
with his mother for supper" said her
grandmother in astonishment. How
can l explain--that is, to Bruce? You
know how fond he is of you"
81 can't help it if he is" added the
young lady, ungraciously. Tell him
I've gone to the city. My cousins
haven't invited me, but they'll be glad
TO sec me, I'm sure
So, when New Years Day arrived,
Myrtle put on her best dress and ulster
and started for the city. Arriving at the
Embersons' house she was shown into
little forlorn waiting room, while Pris-
ella, the servant, announced her name.
The door of the room was ajar, and
she could hear distinctly the following
conversation from the parlors beyond,
where her aunt and cousins were evil
IDENTIFY located. The maid began by
TITS your cousin, Miss Eleanor and
Miss Louisette" said she. "a young
lady from Cedar Mountain
Good gracious p cried Eleanor; "hat
"What on earth can possibly have
brought her here just now of all times
in the world - exclaimed Louisette.
What shall we do, mammals p said
Eleanor, piteously.
81, =, al
son, who was in black velvet and imita-
ton diamonds. "Why, make the best of
it, of course If girl will"
But here Myrtle, who felt with a sort
of pang that there was something dis
honorable in listening to this conversation
which was so evidently not intended for
her ears, drew aside the crimson damask
folds and presented herself, with deep
dyed cheeks and sparkling eyes.
"Aunt Louise" said she, 'ft is I ! And
IL had supposed for a moment that my
visit would be inconvenient-"
'Oh, my dear, don't think of such a
thing" cried Mrs. Emberson, mantling
her face in artificial smiles. Girls, come
here and kiss our dear Matilda-Marian
how very awkward of me to forget
your name
Myrtle" said the girl coloring
cite kissed her effusively, but had
scarcely time to lisp out their congratu-
lations when party of perfumed, white
kidded eXquisites were ushered in by
the smiling Priscilla. Mrs. Emberson
looked embarrassed
Come upstairs, my dear" said she:
Il will give you cup of tea in your
own room. OF course you won't care
for the hustle and confusion of the par
lor on such day as this"
And poor Myrtle, who had come ex-
pressly to share the delights of her
cousins New Years reception, was led
of into the upper part of the house.
scarcely able to repress her tears of
modification and embarrassment
The rooms up stairs were chilly and
uncomfortable for it was a cold day and
the registers had been turned off, to es-
tablish more Summertime atmosphere
in the parlors. Mrs. Emberson, after
entreating Myrtle to make herself per
fectly at home, and promising to send
her a cup of tea in few minutes, slipped
away-and there the poor girl sat, SILVER
ing, faint and unrefreshed
81 wonder where Aunt Louise could
have gonoP she said to herself, at last,
in very desperation. She went ont and
looked over the head of the stairway.
There, in the hall below, was q stream
of chettering, bowling, gesticulating young
men--to Myrtle's unaccustomed eyes they
looked moro like over-dressed monkeys
than anything ese-and Louisette and
Eleanor were In the parlar doorway.
"You don't sayP' cried one, evidently
in response to some word of the girls
remarks. "A genuine country cousin.
Eh?''
Talks through her noseW said
another. "Wears poke bonnet and q
pink calico gown. DO let us have look
at the curiosity"
mot to-day, you wicked thing" gig
gled Miss Louisette. "Some day she shall
be brought in to make you all laugh"
THE idea Of her coming here on New
Years Day, of all the days in the
world" said Eleanor, CONTEMPORARY.
But Myrtle stayed to hear no more.
Hurrying back to the room she had just
quilted, she tied on her hat, folded the
little fur-lined sacque, in which she had
taken so innocent pride, about her, and
catching up her travelling bag, quilted
the house. Priscilla alone saw her go
out, but Priscilla did not interfere.
Country folks has queer notions"
said Priscilla to herself. "And perhaps
she is going TO take walk"
On the way she met the express wagon
with her trunk. 1t was but moments
work TO countermand her directions, and
in half an hour she was speeding through
the glittering eXpanso of the winter
landscape on her way home.
Grandma Follett was knitting, as
usual, by the fire Of blazing logs just at
twilight. Beside her, with his back to
the door, stood Bruce Garland, tall,
manly, superbly formed as young
Adonis.
"Aud you think she does not care for
me?" was what Bruce was saying to
Grandma Follett in the ruddy half
light.
But Myrtle hurried in Just as the
words were trembling on his lips,
''She does care for you, Brucel Oh,
Bruce, she loves and honors you more
than she can tell ~ cried Myrtle, fiinging
herself upon his breast Keep me here,