Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-15
THE BALL DRESS.

proof and umbrella giving evidence of a
sturdy battle with the storm that could be
plainly heard even through closed shutters
and dropped curtains on the upper floor.
"The most polite letter from Colonel
B, and knowing that forsook society
long ago, Mrs. Colonel B. will take
you with her own girls; it is really charm
ing of her. Here is the ticket"
The elderly lady's frail fingers drew two
elegant squares OF pink and gold pasteboard
from an envelope as she spoke. But the
girl, having hung the waterproof in an ad-
jacent kitchen and perched her umbrella
where it could drip harmlessly into the
stationary tubs of said kitchen. did not
even pick them up.
at would be better to publish the fact
that | have retired FROM society also,
mamma" she said, little sadly.
"Youw cried her mother. "At 20,
Efieg'
at comes to that when one has one
black fiock," said Effie, ''and that patched
at both elbows"
"You could go in white" said her
mother; 'you look very girlish. Gentle
men admire white, or used to. White
and a 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 l should be if l went in sheet
and pillow case costume" said Efie.
Really that would be the only white one
/ could manage. That poor 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 sleeve
that would not go over my wrist. Eve
grown a great deal in five years, mamma
as it five years since you went to your
Cousin Jennie's wedding in it ?" cried Mrs.
Ackland. "Dear, dear, now time flies
Couldn't you make over one of my old
silks"
81 should be a laughing-stock, mamma,
said Efie. "Well, can live without 60
ing 10 the ball, though l should enjoy it
very much"
"The daughter of Captain Ackland
ought to have opportunities" said the
widow How you are to marry if you
L
pretty girl like you was never meant to be
a 5pinster and work for her bread"
''Things point in that direction now"
said the girl. "Type-writing is not a
lively amusement, and l am as likely to
marry as | am to go to China. Don't sigh
so bitterly, mamma. 1t would only make
you lonelier if | went the ball, and
should be up late and make mistakes next
day-lose my place, perhaps. PHI write a
polite regret when / get some fine note
paper. Now, let us have tea"
The little brown teapot, the two blue
and plates to match, were soon on the
table. Effie Ackland had way OF max
ing excellent little dishes out of next to
nothing-it was very convenient under
the circumstances-and though the girl
pinned for something besides the daily
routine of type-writing and evenings spent
in listening to her mothers "reminiscences
of former grandeur-for Mrs. Ackland had
been belle and a beauty and an expect
ant heiress when she married the dashing
young Captain-it was the mother who
bemoaned herself.
At last, tea being over, it was discovered
that the storm had passed, and that moon
and stars were shining, and Effie declared
that she would run down to the little sta
TONERS 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 neigborhood and very
late, and Efiie wrapped herself in a thick
cloak and tied little brown 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 woman who kept
it had expected no customers and had re-
tired early. Effie knew of another shop
of the same sort few blocks further on
which was always open late, and returned
her steps that way-at least, she intended
to do so. But there are still portions of
New York City where it is very easy to
lose ones self, and besides Effie was not an
old resident Of that part of town. Some
how she missed the right corner, crossed
the street at the wrong angle, and shortly
discovered that she was lost.
1t was a gloomy and unpleasant street
in which she found herself, and the girl
was somewhat frightened. However, she
decided that the best thing she could do
was to keep on walking until she came to
decent shop or met policeman, of whom
she could ask the way. She acted on this
resolution with her usual promptitude, but
for a long while she went on seeing nothing
but liquor or cigar shops and meeting not
a solitary guardian of the peace and came
at last to an old building with a 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
out light shone in her face, and turning
she saw figure in black, with red shoes, a
red cap, horns, hoofs, long tail, which he
carried over his arm, and in his hand
great aper parcel-in fact, Satan as we
see him portrayed in ancient pictures, act
ing for the nonce as messenger boy.
Startled beyond expression, Fife was
about to fly, when the demon spoke.
"Wen, mamselle, I've been waiting for
you long while" was his characteristic
remark. 81 came so far 10 save time.
Won't you get roasting I"
Then he tossed the parcel into her arms,
turned and fled.
Effie fed also What the demon had
gwen her she ala not KNOW, Dut sue quIte
mechanically clutehed it as she flew along
the lonely street, and by mere accident
took the right direction 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 crammed into her hands to prove that
she had not merely imagined the meeting
with him, and now she unfastened the
many pins that held it, unfolded the paper
and sundry muslin wrappings within, and
behold dress-the loveliest ball cos
tune of golden satin and black lace that
could be imagined