The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-10-09

"What do you wish, my dearF' sald
voice behind her; and Eflie turned her
head toward the door with little
scream, and there stood tiny little old
lady, not exactly in a red cloak, but
certainly in red shawl, which nearly
covered her.
"What is it you wish so much, Effiel"
asked the old woman.
ooh, / was wishing I could go TO the
Goodwoods' party" said Effie, bursting
into little laugh. "Do come in, Mrs.
Percy. 1 really thought you were my
fairy god-mother at first. Did you come
down the chimney"
"You what2" asked Mrs. Percy. "I
didn't scare you, did II 1 found Dinah
at the kitchen door, and l ran in that
way. But what a shame it was for the
Goodwoods not to ask you to their party.
| know Mrs. Mervin and the other girls
are there. / saw them go IN"
"Oh, they asked me-" said Effie.
"They sent me such nice little note.
And ] wanted to go, but my step-mother
said l mustn't. She always thinks me
too young for any amusement. I'm only
old enough to work"
'cThat's q shame" said Mrs. Percy
"But why didn't you say you would go?
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 little fun! You're just the right
age for it,
~ think so myself, said Effie. t'But
| hadn't any dress, and 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
like"
"It is my fairy god-mother," said
Ef1ie.
"What are you talking about childw
cried the old lady. "But just wait a
moment. My niece is at our house with
her daughter, and she has great trunk
full of the prettiest things. Do your hair,
and I'll bring you all you want to wear"
'But shan't dare to co." said EfIie.
"Tll take you," said Mrs. Percy,
dauntlessly.
Away she went, and Effie, 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 pretty dress of
pale blue silk, white gloves and slippers,
and just the prettiest bunch of blush
rosebuds.
Mrs. Percy made deft tiring- woman,
and in few moments Effie stood before
the parlor mirror admiring herself in her
new attire, which ti.Aed as though made
for her.
"The slippers are 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 well, 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-motherw
cried Effie.
"Dear me, wish I had been, but I
wasn't you know" said Mrs. Percy.
''What do you meam2"
THAT I'm Cinderella in actual fact, "
cried Effic. "You've made coach out
of pumpkin, too"
"Cinderella2 Oh, that's fairy tale
l remember something of it. But she
had glass slippers" said Mrs. Percy.
''Dear, dear! and step-mother, too. l
begin to understand.
Then she hurried Effie into the little
pony carriage, and away they drove.
"You must go and speak to Mrs.
Goodwood first, +" said Mrs. Percy; "and
that's all. I've no doubt you'll be taken
care of after that
81 expect to be, said Effie, ruefully.
II wonder what my step.mother will
say"
"Who is that young lady who looks so
like Effie?" whispered Mrs. Mervin to
! Amanda.
81 should think it was Effie," said
Amanda. "Only there is nothing in the
house anything like what she has on"
"And she's prettier than Effie," said
Mrs. Mervin. "But how like"
"Mr. Goodwood is going to dance with
her, " said Amanda.
Indeed, Leslie Goodwood was at the
moment leading Effie to her place in a
quadrille.
''Thats another proof it can't be she, y
said Mrs. Mervin. ''Effie doesn't
dance
But Eflie had had lessons in those
schooldays of which her step-mother
knew nothing. And she had a sense of
time and 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.
''Is it really twelve o'clockl" said Eff
fe. "Then | must go. Some one is to
come to drive me home just at twelve" p"
Il am so sorry. But you must let me
see you to the carriage" said Leslie.
And then Efiie 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