Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1890-09-18

dry muslin wrappings within, and be-
hold-a dress the loveliest ball costume
Of golden satin and black lace that could
be imaginedl
The demon had presented her with a
dress in which to attend the ball
"What does it mean?" she calculated.
Really feel as if was ont Of my
mindr'
1T must be providential," said the
mother. "Try it on, my dear"
Efie obeyed. The costume fitted her
perfectly.
you look like an angel said the
mother.
''But the demon said should have a
good roasting" said Efie.
'sIt was only man in some queer
dress" said the mother.
"Of course" said Effie AT least, |
suppose so.
"And now you can go to the ball.
said the mother.
"Shall dare? Will not find my COS
tune vanishing, like poor Cinderella's,
in the midst of my dance with whatever
stands for the young prince at the Off
GERS ball of the regiment? doubt if it
will be here in the morning; besides |
ought to advertise it, If the fiend who
presented young lady with black lace
ball dress in dark alley on the night
of the til will kindly call. or some
thing Of the sort
"Oh, we will look into the papers, Of
ID 7 -
believe we will find anything-fate in
tends you to go to the ball."
So it seemed indeed.
Effie went to the ball and her dress
was pronounced charming. In passing |
will mention to the reader that it was
there that she met the gentleman who
afterward became her husband, and that
much happened and all good fortune
came to her through the demons gift Of
the ball dress
No one ever advertised for the dress,
and it hung in Efie's wardrobe until her
wedding day She never wore it again,
and never expected to solve the mystery
that surrounded it.
Effie had married rich man and lived
in very elegant style, and man servant
was one of the necessaries Of the house
hold. Mrs. Ackland, who lived with
her daughter, suggested Frenchman,
and having advertised for such person
candidate presented himself. He had
but one reference. but that was good
one.
Il will tell you the reason have no
more, madam" said he. II have had
my ambitions-desired to 20 upon the
stage. | even obtained position-I
played demon in the last act of great
spectacle at the theatre There
were seventy-fve demons-it was glo
rious. But alasl got into difficult
ties there through my good nature.
The renowned Sonora v had been
playing at the theatre, and left behind
her lace dress. She telegraphed that
she would send her maid for it, as she
was to wear it that night Every mo-
ment was precious, and the old lady who
had charge Of me had sprained her an
kle- My friend, she said to me, if you
would but 60 down the long stairs and
to the end Of the passage. and wait with
the parcel until Mile. Fanchon. the
senora's maid, comes for the dress you
will save us all much trouble-you will
not be wanted for an hour
Il obliged her, of course | even went
into the damp alley Of the back entrance
and waited there. was kept tre-
mendous time, and erhen at last young
woman rushed in | gave her the parcel
like an idiot-without asking who she
was. | gave it to the wrong woman
Fifteen minutes after the real maid
arrived. Oh. there was a rowl All ]
was worth would not have paid for the
dress. But was dismissed at once. !
deserved it. 1t was the act of an idiot.
How well do remember what said to
you'll get roasting. mamselle
Well, it was who got the roasting. at
first they accused me Of stealing the
dress, but
II am sure you tell the truth" said
Efie, and engaged the man at once.
That day Sonora V was astonished
by receiving box which contained the
long lost dress uniniured.
A letter which was inclosed told the
story in full, but without giving any
names, and Camille-the new waiter
never guessed that the liberal gift he re-
ceived at Christmas time was offered,
not to the accomplished waiter, but to
the demon who had brought about SO
much happiness by his gift Of ball
dress. Mary Kyle Dallas in Fireside
Companion.