Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1889-05-30

least hundred times, for her powers OF
persistence were strong, and her father
was very indulgent; and though he de-
INJURED at present, she felt confident of
victory. But this sudden visit of Cousin
Nelly, his favorite brothers child, was a
trump card in her hand. Lefty played
tand won.
Now, dear Aunt Bonar," cried the
two Misses Laurence together, "do tell
US how Charlie is going to dress at the
Rink. We're just dying to know be-
cause everybody says it's dead secret y
"one at a time, please, girls" EN-
treated their aunt evasively. "Nellv.
you're looking splendid. haven't seen
you since you We're ten years old .
When everybody said / was the ugly
duckling, retorted that young lady.
q But ais well that ends WE'LL" said
Mrs. Bonar, with an approving glance
at the pretty speaker. s'Now, girls.
You must stay to tea. Run upstairs and
take your things off.
&c How can we, Aunt Bonar, when we
are going to the ball at the Windsor
tonight"
:" sha'n't let you off on that plea
Why, / haven't seen Nelly for ten wears.
You can leave here early, in time to
dress, and Charlie shall take you home. .
SO it was settled. The two girls
tripped up stairs. Lefty, used to the
house, led the way. it was getting
dark, and inside their aunt's chamber
both sat down on lounge, and, as is
the way with girls on the eve of a ball.
gossipped for fully half an hour.
Glow dreadfully dark it is =" cried
Lefty Mt last. Light the gas, Nelly. .
A bright glare illumined every corner
rs Nelly complied She had her back
to her cousin and was standing before
a tall pler-glass, when she suddenly saw
Lettys face in the mirror. The terror
in it mortified Nelly, she turned quickly
round. Lefty uttered piercing shrek;
then Nelly, looking past her, saw the
reason.
A man was standing by the wardrobe,
tall and perfectly motionless; his hat
came down almost to his neck; his face
she could not see. He must have been
In the room all the time-indeed,
even before they entered it. OF course
he was burglar Lefty still screamed,
and fled wildly; but Nelly bravely stood
her ground The absolute stiffness of
the fellow filed her with sense of
dread. Obeying sudden impulse, she
ran mp and shook his arm violently. A
strange rustling ensued. Off fell the
hat, and the brazen bust of Milton was
revealed beneath Quick-witted Nelly
comprehended the situation at glance,
and her aunt and cousin, rushing in to-
gether a moment later, found her in fits
of laughter.
Its straw man, Lefty, she gasped
that Charles put here to brighten us. !"
''Oh, no, indeed" protested Charles
mother; he's not so bad as that. for
got he was here. 1t is Charley's skating
get up for the masquerade, at the Victo-
ria Rink "
And now that the cat was out of the
bag, their aunt took great pride in show
ing them this evidence of her beloved
sons ingenuity. The youth of Montre-
al endeavor to out-Herod Herod, at these
fancy-dress skating entertainments.
The ladies blaze in radiant attire and
quaint disguise, and many gallant fell
lows in their train; but proudly high
swells the heart of that youth who can
sport the supremacy grotesque.
Young Bonar had won this distinc-
ton. On the back of his straw-man he |
sailed round the Rink, light Of heart
md light Of heel, the cynosure of every |
eye. Many an on-looker mistook the /
straw-man for a real one, as he appeared |
10 toll YEARLY by; and many comments
rom the crowd, pitying his fatigue, We're
heard by the Misses Laurance, and
poured into Charities delighted ears.
But this was two days later.
"And what does he call the dress?''
'ried Lefty, grown suddenly brave,
and what is this belt for, / wonder?"
That is to fasten the man to him,
nd he is down on the Entrance-list as
Man on Original Hobby horse, re-
lied Mrs. Bonar.
"He ought to go as some mute in
lorious Milton, quoted Nelly, laugh
lg. THAT bust is 50 funny, sewed on
such Il figure.
AT the tea-table Charlie failed to APP
ca, but d maid brought in note that
ad been left Mrs. Bonar read it, and
lid, with some disappointment;
"What pity, girls, Charlie cam re-
i'm till late. He has sent to say he has