The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1890-09-24
THE BALL DRESS.


"You are invited to the regiment ball,
my dear" said Mrs. Ackland as her
daughter entered the room, her dripping
waterproof and umbrella giving evidence
of a sturdy battle with the storm that
could be plainly heard even through
closed shutters and dropped curtains on
that upper floor. 1.-THE most polite letter
from Col. B., and knowing that !
forsook society long ago. Mrs. Col.
B. will take you with her own girls;
1t is really charming of her. Here lie the
ticket"
The elderly lady's frail fingers drew
two elegant squares Of pink and gold
pasteboard from an envelopes hs she spoke
But the girl, having hung the water
proof in an adjacent kitchen, and perched
her umbrella where it could drip harm
lessly into the stationary tubs Of said
kitchen, did not even pick them up.
sit would be better to publish the
fact that | have retired from society
also, mamma" she said, little sadly.
"Youi' cried her mother. At 20.
Efieg
at comes to that when one has one
black frock, said Effie. land that patched
at both elbows"
"You could go in white" said her
mother. "You look very girlish. Cen
tlemen admire white, or used to. White
and few flowers and no jewelry-no
one could find fault with that style.
| The greatest heiress IN Boston, when !
was a girl was known for her simplicity
always white
81 fancy should be If went in a
sheet and pillow case costume" said
Efie. Really that would be the only
white one | could manage That pool
old white dress that still exists in your
memory Is short in the waist, shorter in
the skirt. won't meet in the belt. and
has a sleeve that would not go over my
wrist. I've grown a great deal in five
years, mamma"
is it five years since you went to
your cousin Jennie's wedding in itT
cried Mrs. Ackland. Dear, dear, how
time flies Couldn't you make over one
Of my old silks"
II should be laughing stock, mann
ma" said Efie. 'sWell, can live with
out going to the ball. though should
enjoy it very much"
1.-THE daughter of Capt. Ackland ought
to have opportunities, said the widow.
Chow you are to marry il you never
meet any one cannot think. A pretty
girl like you was never meant to be a
spinster and work for her bread"
Things point In that direction now,
said the girl "Typewriting is not a
lively amusement, and am as likely to
marry as / am to go to China. Don't
sigh SO bitterly, mamma. It would only
make you loneher IL went to the ball
and should be up late and make mis-
takes next day--lose my place, perhaps.
I'll write q very polite regret when /
get some fine note paper. Now. let M
have tea"
The little brown teapot. the two blue
cups and plates to match, were soon on
the table. Effie Ackland had way Of
making excellent little dishes out of next
to nothing-it was very convenient un-
der the circumstances-and though the
| girl pined for something besides the
daily routine Of typewriting and even
ings spent in listening to her mothers
"reminiscences of former grandeur-for
Mrs. Ackland had been q belle and q
beauty and an expectant heiress when
she married the dashing young captain
1t was the mother who bemoaned her
self.
At last, tea being over, it was discov-
cred that the storm had passed, and that
moon and stars were shining, and Efie
declared that she would run down to the
little stationer's and get some note paper
of the proper sort on which to reply to
the kind invitation and offer Of the
colonel and his lady,
1t was quiet neighborhood and very
late, and Efie wrapped herself in thick
cloak and tied little blue hood over
her head and ran lightly down stairs and
down the street toward the stationer's
shop. However, when she reached its
door she found it closed The old won.
an who kept 1t had expected no custom
ers, and had retired early. Effie knew
Of another shop of the same sort few
blocks further on which was always
open Late and turned her steps that way
at least she intended to do so. But
there are still portions Of New York city
where it isvery easy to lose ones self,
and besides Efie 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
discovered that she was lost.
It was a gloomy and unpleasant street
| In which she found herself, and the girl