The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-24

Joh1 docs so want you 10 60. hes got
friend coming-such a genteel young
mani Do come, Lilly! Think how
much nicer it will be than sitting here
in this stufy hole, with Mrs. Bookors
baby crying next door, and old 1Ir.
Farren playing the flute overhead
81 promised mother not to 60 out
anywhere in the evening while she was
gone" hesitated Lilly.
"What of that7 She'll never know"
urged Arietta. ''She surely can't ex-
poet you to new yourself up here like
mouse in trap, while she is enjoying
herself. Old folks are so sciishw
Once more Lilly frowned.
my mother il not selfish" said she.
"Oh, we'll we won't argue about
that" said Arictta, coaxingly. "But
there's 0 reason you shouldn't see a
little life, oaco il a while, as long as I
and John are along to keep you COM
pany|
cit would be nice" said Lilly. i've
almost mind to CO."
Then make haste about itp' cried
Arietta. 'TIl call :or you as l como
down stairs. The earlier we are there,
tho better chance we have on the dan
cing-fo or"
Lilly won't into the back room after
Arietta was gone. Mrs. Booker sat
there, rocking her baby on her knee,
and to her the girl con1ded her desires.
81 wouIdn'tl' said Mrs. Booker,
shaking her head, sobcrly.
"Why not3'
THAT Giceful Society don't bear tho
best reputation, Lilly sal Mrs. Book
or. GA lot of giddy girls and reckless
young men that are bent on earning
their living some way outside of hoacst
work. 1 don't think your mother
would like you to get into such com
pany as that while she is gone"
"Thcre's always some reason to keep
me from enjoying myself, so far as 1
can see!' burt out poor Lilly. "Ari-
eta Wales is going, and mean to 60,
toom
Mrs. Booker looked pityingly after
her as she founced out of the room.
Poor girl, it is sort o hard upon
herr she ponderod. And she so
! young and pretty, too, and worked so
steady all day! But that GIco full So
ciety-it amt what l should like a
daughter of mine to get mixed up in.
However, a willIul girl will have her
own way"
Half an hour later there came soft
"tar-tap" on the panels of Mrs. Book
cr's door, and brown, handsome face
peeped in.
"Beg pardon, ma am" said cheory
voice; "but is this Miss Gormonds
room2 I'm her cousin Ben, and her
mother has sent me to bring her out to
the country and make little visit
there"
"And Tn her Uncle Stevens" added
second voice, ''and tho teams wait
ing below, and there amt no time to
! lose"
Dear me, I'm so sorryY cried Mrs.
Booker, starting to her feet; "but Lilly
Germond has gone a bal.w
"a ball I" echoed Uncle Stevens.
"Gono to a ball r reiterated Ben in
amazement.
with her mother away" cried the
old man, "and my sister telling me how
quiet and steady she wasl Come, Ben;
I don't know as we want 10 ball-going
young ladies out at the old farm.
guess perhaps we'd better be starting
for homo"
But wait minute; perhaps she left
some word" said Mrs. Booker. Her
room is the next one beyond; I'll go
and see."
Il guess it amt worth WHILE" infex-
IDLY uttered Uncle Mark.
Mrs. Booker knocked at the door of
Mrs. Germond's room, as a sort of
forlorn hope.
Come in!" called soft voice.
And there sat Lilly at her sewing by
the light of shaded kerosene lamp.
''You look surprised = cried Lilly,
laughing. ''But you see I decided,
after all, to take your good advice, Mrs.
Booker"
'And I never was so glad OF any
thing in my life," said Mrs. Booker.
My dear, here's your uncle and cousin
from the country, with a team, waitin'
to take you to your mother"
Lilly uttered cry of delight as she
jumped up, and flung her sewing into
the corner Of the room.
"RoalIy" she cried -'truly7 or am
dreaming? Where are they2"
She ran out into the hall, and was
kissing Uncle Mark and shaking hands
with Ben almost before they knewit.
$50 you didn't 60 to the ball after
al?' said the old man, his hard face
softening as much under the blue JOY
business of her eyes as beneath the tou ch
of her rosy young lips.
"No," said LiIly-although I was
sorely tempted to forget mothers good