Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-05-02

victory. But this sudden visit of Cousin
Nelly, his favorite brothers child, was n
trump card in her hand. Lefty played
and 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 dead secret.
"One at time, please, girls, en-
treated their aunt evasiyely. Nelly,
you're looking splendid. haven't seen
you since You were ten years old. "
"When everybody said was the ugly
duckling, retortcd that young lady
"But all's well that ends well, said
Mrs. Bonar, with an approving glance
at the pretty speaker. "Now, girls,
yor must stay to tea. Run upstairs and
take your things of. :
"How can we, Aunt Bonar, when we
are going to the ball at the Windsor
to-nightg
"I sha'n't let you off on that plea.
Why, 1 haven't seen Nelly for ten years.
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. Ii was getting
dark, and inside their aunt's chamber
both sat down ON a lounge, and, as Is
the way with girls on the eve of ball,
gossippcd for fully half an hour.
Chow dreadfully dark it is " cried
Lefty at last. Light the gas, Nelly. "
A bright glare illumined every corner
as Nelly complied. She had her back
to her cousin and was standing before
tall pier-glass, when she suddenly saw
Letty's 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 a burglar Lefty still screamed,
and fed wildly; but Nelly bravely stood
her ground. The absolute stiffness of
the fellow filed her with n sense of
dread. Obeying sudden impulse, she
ran up 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 a glance,
and her aunt and cousin, rushing in to-
gether moment later, found her in fits
of laughter.
''It's straw man. Lefty, she gasped,
"tbat Charities put here TO frighten us.
'Oh, no, indeed, /" protested Charles
mother; he's not so lad as that. | for
got he was here. 1t is Charleys skating
get mp for the masquerade, at the Victo-
ris Rink. f"
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, aud many a 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 |
and light OF heel, the cynosure of every I
eye Many AN on-looker mistook the /
straw-man for real one, as he appeared |
to toll YEARLY by; and many comments
FROM the crowd. pitving his fatigue, were |
heard by the Misses Laurance, and |
poured into Charities delighted ears. |
But this WIS two days later.
aApd what locc ba call the 9,nesg, 1