The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1890-10-17
THE BALL DRESS.

"IOu are invited to the regiment Dali,
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. "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 is the
ticket"
The elderly lady's fral fingers drew
two elegant squares Of pink and gold
pasteboard froman envelope as she spoke.
But the girl, having hung the water
proof in IN 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.
at would be better to publish the
fact that l have retired from society
also, mamma" she said, a little sadly.
"Youl" cried her mother. At 90,
Efie?:'
at comes to that when one has one
black frock," said Effie, land thatpatched
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 /
was a girl was known for her simplicity
always white"
81 fancy l should be if l went in a
sheet and pillow case costume" said
Fife. REALLY that would be the only
white n l 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 a sleeve that would not goover my
wrist. I've grown q 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, how
time flies. Couldn't you make owe one
of my old silks?"
II should be a laughing stock, mann
ma" said Efie. "Well, I can live with
out going to the ball, though I should
enjoy it very much"
"The daughter of Capt ckland ought
to have opportunities" said the widow.
"How you are to marry if you never
meet any n / cannot think. A pretty
girl like you was never meant to be o
spinster and work for her bread"
"Things point in that direction now"
said the girl. "~Typewriting is not a
lively amusement, and l am as liksly to
marry as l am to go to China. Don't
sigh SO bitterly, mamma. 1t would only
make you lonelier If l went to the ball,
and I 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. Efie 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 a belle and a
beauty and IN ~ezpectant heiress when
she married the dashing young captain
it was the mother who bemoaned her
self.
At last. tea being over. il WA discoy-