The Opelousas courier., 1889-11-02

"SJ 'AAeso !" 1AfSAAS ~ W." ~S
Goodwoods not to ask you to their party.
know Mrs. Mervin and the other girls
are there. I saw them go H."
"Oh, they asked me-" said Efie.
stThey sent me such a nice little note.
And I wanted to 60, but my step-mother
said I mustn't. She always thinks me
zoo young for any amusement. I'm only
old enough to work"
"That's a shame" said Mrs. Percy.
ssBut why didn't you say you would goa
If it was your own mother, that would
be different; but we've all noticed how
you are kept down, and we're all pro-
voked about it. Why shouldn't you
have a little fun2 You're just the right
age for it,"
~ think so myself" said Efie. "But
I hadn't any dress, and l never have any
money. Papa left me nothing, you
know"
"Your pa2 Well, your poor pa is
Dead said Mrs. Percy. 'But see here,
Efie, you shall go to the party if you
lit is my fairy god-mother," said
Efie.
"What are you talking about, child?"ii
cried the old lady. "But just wait a.
moment. My niece is at our house with
her daughter, and she has a great trunk
full of the prettiest things. Do your hair,
and I'll bring you all you want to wear"
s'But / shan't dare to Co." said Elite.
"Ill take you," said Mrs. Percy,
dauntlessly. !
Away she went, and Efie, trembling.
at her own temerity, brushed her hair
into the loveliest curls ever seen, and in
the shortest possible space of time. Back
came Mrs. Percy with a pretty dress of
pale blue silk, white gloves and slippers,
and Just the prettiest bunch OF blush
rosebuds. 80.
Mrs. Percy made a deft tiring-woman,
and in a few moments Effie stood before
the parlor mirror admiring herself in her
new attire, which fitted as though made
for her.
1.-THE slippers are a little too large"
said Mrs. Percy, "but that can't be
helped. Now I've got my own little
pony carriage at the door, and I'll drive
you over. Wrap yourself up we'll, and
mind you are ready to come home at
twelve o'clock, forI shall be at the door.
| Now kiss me-"
"You dear angel of a god-motherP'
cried Efie. :
stDear me, I wish I had been, but 7
wasn't you know" said Mrs. Percy
"Wha do you meam?" q
LtTlo4 IT,, Ns,1aral1a -, ao411al foot ~
cried Efie. "You've made a coach out
of a pumpkin, tool"
I "Cinderella2 Oh, that's a fairy tale.
I remember something of it. But she
had glass slippers" said Mrs. Percy.
"Dear, dear! and a %step-mother, too. ]
begin to understand"
Then she hurried Efie into the little
pony carriage, and away they drove.
"You must go and speak to Mrs.
Goodwood first" said Mrs. Percy; land
that's all. I've no doubt you'll be taken
care of after that"
"I expect to be-" said Efie, ruefully.
81 wonder what my s%tep-mother will,
say"
"Who is that young lady who looks so.
like Efie2" whispered Mrs. Mervin to.
Amanda.
81 should think it was Efie," said.
Amanda. s'Only there is nothing in the,
house anything like what she has on"
sand she's prettier than Effie," said.
Mrs. Mervin. "But how like"
"Mr. Goodwood is going to danceLs.
her." said Amanda.
Indeed, Leslie Goodwood was at the
moment leading Efie to her place in Al
quadrille.
"That's another proof it can't be she, "
said Mrs. Mervin. 'tEfie doesn't,
dance"
But Efie had had lessons in those.
schooldays OF. which her step-mother'
knew nothing. And she had a sense of
time and q grace of motion that made
dancing easy to her.
She saw her step-mother and sisters;
and saw they did not recognize her.
And she enjoyed the fun Of the position
greatly. She was altogether happy; and
so, also, seemed Leslie Goodwood, who
paid her as much attention as a host
might pay to one lady, who waited on
her to supper, and who was again dancing
with her when the clock which hung in
the hall struck twelve.
IT'S it really twelve o'clock2" said Eff
fe. stThen I must go. Some one is to
come to drive me home just at twelve"
II am so sorry. But you must let me
see you to the carriage" said Leslie.
And then Eme got her wraps, and
Leslie went down stairs with her, and
there was the pony carriage, and kind,
Independent Mrs. Percy, and Leslie
handed her in but as she sprang into the
carriage the oldest thing happened.
Her slipper, which was, as we have said,
a little too large for her, slipped front
her foot gssd fell upon the pavement.
"Oh, my shoet" cried Efie, is a
whisper.
But no one heard her. Leslie had
clasped her hand and said, "Good-bye,"
and Mrs. Percy had driven off.
give lost your kind neice's slipper"
said Efie, in despair. "What shall I
do2"
aOh, she has a hundred slippers, said
Mrs Percy, 'sand I'll get her another pair.
Don't fret
land this makes it more like Cinder-
ellaio cried Efiie. tsI'm getting fright
ened at myself
And, to carry the story out, she was in
bed, with her calico dress hanging over a
chair back, and all the fnery-odd slip
per and all-gone home with Mrs. Percy,
when her step-mother peeped into the