Nevada County picayune., 1890-11-06

i very convenient under the circum- stances land though the girI l pined for something besides the dally routine of typewriting and evenings spent In listening to her mother s "reminiscences of former grandeur for Mrs. Ackland had been belle and beauty and an expectant heiress when she married the dashing young Captain-it was the mother who be- mourned herself.
 At last, tea being over, it was dis covered that the storm had passed, and that moon and stars were shin ing, so Fife declared that she would run down to the stationer's- and get some note paper of the proper sort on which to reply to the kind invita- ton and offer of the colonel and his lady.
 It was quiet neighborhood and very late, and Fife wrapped herself in q thick cloak and tied little blue hood over her head and ran lightly down stairs and down the street to- ward the stationer's shop. However, when she reached the door she found it closed. The old woman who kept it had expected no customers, and had retired early. Fife knew of another shop of the same sort few blocks further on which was always open late, and turned her steps that way--or at least she intended to do so. But there are still portions of New York city where it is very easy to loee ones self, and besides Fife was not an old resident of that part of the town. Somehow she missed the right corner, crossed the street at the wrong angle, and shortly dis covered that she was lost.
 It was gloomy and unpleasant street in which she found herself, and the girl was somewhat frighten- ed. However, she decided that the best thing she could do was. to keep on walking until she came to a de- cent shop or met policeman of whom she could ask the way. She acted on this resolution with her usual promptitnde, but for long while she went on seeing nothing but liquor or cigar shops and meeting not solitary guardian of the peace, and came at last to an old building with q blank wall in the center of which an arched-gate stood open.
 Just as she stood opposite this gate two drunken men came bowling down the street, and in terror of them she stepped beneath the arch. They passed without seeing her, but before she dared to venture cut d light shone in her face, and turning she saw figure in black, with red shoes, red cap, horns, hoofs, a long tail, which he carried over his arm, and in his hand great paper parcel--in fact, Satan as we see him portrayed in ancient pictures, acting for the nonce as messenger boy.
 Startled beyond expression, Fife was about to fly, when the demon spoke.
 "Well, mamselle, I've been wait ing for you long while" was his characteristic remark. Il came so far to save time. Won't you get a roasting''
 Then he tossed the parcel into her arms, turned and fled.
 Fife fled also. What the demon had given her she did not know, but she quite mechanically clutched it as she flew along the lonely street, and by mere accident took the right di- rection and found herself at the corner of an avenue she knew. She arrived at her own door just in time at least so her mother declared-- to save that lady from going out of her mind with terror. She had no paper, but she had the parcel which the demoniac parsonage had cram med into her hands to prove that she had not merely imagined the meet ing with him, and now she unfastened the many pins that held it, unfolded the paper and sundry muslin wrap pings within, and behold-~a dress the loyeliest ball oustume or golden satin and black lace that could be imagined.
 The demon had presented her with a dress in which to attend the ball.
 "What does it mean?" she ejacu lated. Really l feel as if was out of my mind"