Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-03-05

IrUNk. uupiluOu the Olu OdnaSk IdO4C-
cloth which enveloped it, and spread
out its shining folds for the admiration
of her niece, Rosine, that young lady
clasped her pretty hands and quoted
Keats. GA thing of beauty is a joy
forever she said.
Miss Magnolia nodded and smiled.
She was altogether unlike the large,
fair, splendid flower after which she
had been christened almost grotesque-
~ unlike, in fact. She was small and
round, and brown, as a maiden lady of
a decidedly certain age could be. In
deed, she reminded one OF nothing so
much as little russell apple. But her
Leart, which had been full of sentiment
once, was warm and sensitive organ
still. And she took deal Of interest in
ROsine's romance.
Eyes, my dear, it is thing of beauty !
And 10 think | never wore it but twice.
Dear, dear !" And she went on strok-
ing the primrose satin, tenderly as
mother touches the hair of child.
"You had lover then, auntie ?"
asked Rosine.
Eyes, pet. This was one of the
dresses [ got for my marriage. But he
ne never came back.
Hastily she wiped her eyes, lest tear
should stain the shimmering stuff she
held
1t is just the gown for your fancy
dress ball" hurried on Miss Magnolia.
A trif1e short, of course. but there is
cutie piece turned In at the top that
you could let down. You shall go as a
lady of long ago."
Not SO very long ago. ested
Rosine, with laugh. "But, really;
aunte. [ don't like to take it. 1t is too
lovelyp'
mot for a raiment of war Remem-
Der you are going to conquer the drag
on %
THAT is so. And the master should
nave written. Thrice is she armed
VITO wears pretty dress !"
The foe against whom Miss Rosine
Wilde purposed arraylng herself was
the obdurate uncle of her handsome
lover. Most promptly and perversely
had he opposed the marriage of his
nephew. The young fellow would have
ignored the refusal of his relative were
1t not that the old gentleman had always
been very kind and good to him; had
indeed taken the place of his dead
father to him. So he decided that Ro-
sine should meet his uncle and put bis
prejudice to -out.
of his" Cyril had said, "Judge Char
1reau. You know the Chartreau family.
OF course you have heard that they are
going to give a fancy dress ball next
month, in honor of the coming out of
their daughter Lisette. You will re-
ceive card. You will attend. You
will meet Uncle Albert. And you will
take his heart by Storm
Hopefully had he planned his scheme;
enthusiastically had he explained it.
But Rosine protested. 1t was to be
grand ball, and she had nothing to wear.
Besides, she did not like the idea of
plotting TO make person like her.
And
"Bless you," cried Cyril, che doesn't
dislike you. [ don't believe he even
general, not particular. AS soon as [
told him I was in love with Southern
girl, he-he Il have to drop into slang,
Rosine, )-he sat square down on me.
It seems Southern girl Tilted him
when he was young, and he is bound to
save nee from a like awful fate. But
when once he sees you he is bound to
capituIate. He is regular old brick
Uncle Albert"
but | have nothing to wear. And,
what is more, [ can't buy dress for the
Chartreau ball. We-Aunt Magnolia
and I-are poor as the prove rbial
church mice"
But just then Miss Magnolia came to
Rosine's relief like regular little fairy
godmother.
"The very thing !" she cried-'my
primrose satin ~
Rosine regarded her obviously, de-
lightedly.
jealousy, she knew, had her aunt al
ways guarded her trunkful of treasures,
her Jewels, her laces, her rich, stiff,
glistenlng old brocades.
$50 you mean IL, auntie ?"
Miss Maenolia's bright old eyes
winked very rapidly indeed.
I do, my dear | was young once
myself"
TO be the belle OF Nine. Chartreau's
fancv-dress ball. The proposed iestiv-
itv had been the talk of New Orleans for
several weeks. The night long antici.
pated was cool, crisp, sweet and pearly.
Brilliantly lighted was the broad bal
conied old residence on St. Charles
Street. Many a carriage rolled up,
rolled off. When Rosine descended
from the barouche of her chaperone
she felt little nervous, little elated,
and conscious that she was looking I'M
commonly well-as, indeed, she was.
Quite a picture was the pretty young
figure, in the clinging gown OF gale yell
lowish satin, picturesquely pulled and
quantity fashioned. The corsage, cut
roundly, revealed the firm, full throat
Dainty mouseskin swathed the arms,
which, if, slender, were also exquisitelv
rounded. And the small, olive tinted
face was lit to loveliness by pansy- black
eyes. A flash of alteration succeeded
the serene nonchalance of Cyril Rod
ney's countenance as he caught sight of
ner He made his way to her side.
"Queen Rosine - he murmured. ST
wonder if you know that you're by far
the prettiest girl here tonight! Poor
Uncle Albert how complete will be his
surrender
She swept him a mocking courtesy.
"Ah," she said, smilingly, sit that
conviction we're but mine-''
The sentence ended in a long, soft
sigh.
Isl e pas ga9ne-" he began. "Con-
found it, | never can get my tongue