The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-09-28
THE BALL DRESS.

could be plainly heard even through
closed shutters and dropped curtains on
that upper floor. The most pca.e letter
from Col. B, and KNOWN. that l
forsook society long ago. Mrs Col
B will take you with her own girls;
it is really charming 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 water
F. 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.
1T would be better TO publish the
fact that | have retired from society
also, mamma" she said, a little sadly.
YOU" cried her mother At 90,
Efie:"
at comes to that when one has one
black frock, said Fife. land that patched
| at both elbows"
"You could go in white" said her
mother. You look very girlish. Gen
tlemen 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 l
was girl was known for her simplicity
always white"
Il fancy should be if l went in q
sheet and pillow case costume" said
Fife. Really that would be the only
white one could manage. That poor
old white dress that still exists III 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"
lis it five years since you went to
your cousin Jennie's wedding in it,"
cried Mrs. Ackland. Dear, dear, how
time flies Couldn't you make over one
Of my old Silks"
Il should be laughing stock, man.
ma" said Efie. well. can live with
out going to the ball, though | should
enjoy it very much"
The daughter of Capt. Ackland ought
to have opportunities. said the widow.
"How you are to marry if 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. 1t would only
make you lonelier if | went to the ball,
and | should be up late and make mis-
takes next day-lose my place, perhaps
I'll write a very polite regret when
get some fine note paper. Now, let us
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 I'M
der the circumstances-and though the
girl pined for something besides the
daily routine of typewriting and even
lngs spent In listening TO her mothers
"reminiscences Of former grandeur-for
Mrs. Ackland had been a belle and
beauty and an expectant heiress when
she married the dashing young captain
it was the mother who bemoaned her
self.
At last, tea being over, 1t was discOv-
cred that the storm had passed, and that
moon and stars were shining, and Etfie
declared that she would run down TO the
little stauoners 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 Eaie 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 I.
shop. However, when she reached It's
door she found 1t closed. The old wom- /.
an who Kept 1t had expected no custom /
ers, and had retired early Ellie 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 50. But .
there are stll portions of New York city .
where 1t Is very easy 10 lose ones self, (
and besides Eiiie was not an old resident F..
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.
1t was 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 police
man Of whom she could ask the way,
She acted on thIs resolution with her
usual promputuae. but FIR long while
she went on seeing nothing but liquor or
cigar shops and meeting not q solitary
guardian Of the peace, and came at last
10 an old building with blank wall in
he center Of which an arched gate stood
open
Just as she stood opposite this gate
-wo drunken men came hOwllng down
he street, and IN terror Of them she
stepped beneath the arch They passed
without seeing hsr, but before she dared
o venture cat = light shone in her face,
nd turning sas saw figure in black,
Tlth red shoes. = red cap, horns, hOofS
! long tail. which be carried over hts
I'm, and II his hand great paper par
,el-in fact, Satan Is We sss him por-
Tayed in ancient pictures, acting for the
,o1ce as messenger boy.
Startled beyond expression. EEfs was
IbOut to fy. when the demon spoke.
Well. ulAnselle. I've been waiting
or you long while. was his chSrzc-