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

NOAOLGA NA&4 A49 49,
1t was a quiet neighborhood and veTy
late, and Fife wrapped herself in a thicl
cloak and tied a little blue hood ovel
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 it had expected no custom
ers, and had retired early. Effie knew
of another shop of the same sort a 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 is very 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.
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 a decent shop or met a police
man 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 a light shone in her face,
and tanning she saw a figure in black,
with red shoes. q red cap. horns. boots
a long tail, which he carried V e his
arm, and in his hand o great paper par
cel-in fact, Satan as we see him por-
trayed in ancient pictures, acting for the
nonce as messenger boy.
Startled beyond expression, EfHe was
about to fly, when the demon spoke.
well, mamselle, I've been waiting
for you a long while" vas his charac-
t%eristic remark. II came so far to saw
time. Won't you get a r~oasting!"
Then he tossed the parcel into her
arms, turned and fled.
Efie fled also. What the demon had
given her she did not know, but she
quite mechanically clutched it as she
few 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 de-
clared-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 erammed 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 sun
dry muslin w~rappings within, and be-
hold-a dress-the loveliest ball costume
of golden satin and black lace that could
be imagined.
The demon had presented her with q
dress in which to attend the ball.
"What does il meang she calculated.
Really l feel as if I was out of my
mind"
'.It must be providential," said the
mother. "Try it on, my dear"
Efie obeyed. The costume fitted her
perfectly.
you look like an angel" said the
mother.
But the demon said l should have a
good roasting" said Efie.
at was only a mar in some queer
dress" said the mother.
"Of course" said Fife. cat least,
suppose So"
"And now you can go to the ball, F"
said the mother.
"Shall l dare? Will not find my cos
tune vanishing, like poor Cinderella's,
in the midst Of my dance with whatever
stands for the young prince at the Off
GERS ball Of the regiment? doubt if it
will be here in the morning; besides l
ought to advertise it, If the fend who
presented a young lady with a black lace
ball dress in a dark alley on the night
of the til will kindly CALL or some.
thing of the sort"
''Oh, We will look into the papers, o.
course" said the mother. But l don't
believe we will find anything-fate in
tends you to go to the ball"
So 1t seemed indeed.
Efie went to the ball and her dres:
was pronounced charming. In passing
will mention to the reader that 1t was
there that she met the gentleman who
afterward became her husband, and thai
much happened and all good fortune
came to her through the demons gift o.
| the ball dress.
No one ever advertised for the dress
and it hung in Efie's wardrobe until he,
wedding day. She never wore it again
and never expected to solve the mystery
that surrounded it.
Efie had married q rich man and live
in very elegant style, and a maj servant
was one Of the ne~cessaries Of the house
hold. Mrs. Ackland, who lived will
her daughter, suggested a Frenchman
and having advertised for such a persoi
a candidate presented himself. He hat
but one reference, but that was a goot
one.
81 will tell you the reason l have nj
more, madam" said he. II have hat
my ambitions-desired to go upon tn
stage. l even obtained q position
played q demon In the last act OF a grea
spectacle at the - theatre. Their
were seventy,fve demons-it was glo
Ious. But alas! l got into Difficult
ties there through my good nature
I W. &c., IL -.