The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1890-09-24


trayed in ancient pictures, acting for the
,nonce as messenger boy
Startled beyond expression, Efiie was
about to hy, when the demon spoke.
"Well, InaInselle, I've been waiting
for you long while," was his charac-
teristic remark. II came SO ar to save
time. Won't you get roastingl"
Then he. tossed the parcel into her
arms, tuilsed and fed
Ellie fed also. What the demon had
given her she did not know but she
quite mechanically clutched it as she
Jew along the lonely street, and by mere
accident took the right direction and
found herself at the corner of an avenue
abe 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 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 sun
dry muslin wrappings 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
dress in which to attend the ball
What does it mean9" she calculated.
Really ! feel as if Twas out of my
mindl'
at 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 should have q
good roasting" said Efiie.
ut was only, a man in some queer
Dress" said the mother.
"Of course" said Effie. Eat least, l
suppose So"
"And now you can go to the ball. I"
said the mother.
s'Shan dare2 viii Inot 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 mornings, besides |
ought to advertise it, IF the fend who
presented young lady with black lace
ball dress In a dark alley on the night
Of the --th will kindly call. or some
thing of the sort"
s'Oh, we will look into the papers, of
course" said the mother. "But don't
believe we will find anything-fate in
tends you to go to the ball"
So IL seemed indeed.
Efie went to the ball and her dress
was pronounced charming. In passing /
will mention to the reader that it was
there that she met the gentleman who
afterward became her husband, and that
much happened and ali good fortune
came to her through the demons gift Of
the ball dress
No one ever advertised for the dress.
and it hung in Efie's wardrobe until her
wedding day. She never wore it again.
and never expected to solve the mystery
that surrounded it.
Fife had married a rich man and lived
in very elegant style, and a man servant
was one of the necessaries of the house
hold. Mrs. Ackland who lived with
her daughter, suggested Frsnchman,
and having advertised for such person
candidate presented himself. He had
but one reference, but that was good
one.
81 win tell you the reason have no
more, madam" said he. ~ have had
my afnbitions--desired to go upon the
stage. even obtained position
played a demon in the last act of great
spectacle at the - theatre. There
were seventy-five demons-it was glo
rious. But alasl ! got into difficult
ties there through my good nature.
The renowned Sonora v had been
playing at the theatre, and left behind
her lace dress. She telegraphed that
she would send her maid for it, as she
was, to wear it that night. Every mo
ment was precious and the old lady who
had charge Of me had sprained her an
kle. My friend. she said to me. If you
would but go down the long stairs and
to the end Of the passage, and wait with
the parcel until Mile Fanchon. the
senora's maid, comes for the dress you
win save us all much trouble-you will
not be wanted for an hour.
81 obliged her, of course | even went
into the damp alley of theback entrance
and waited there. was kept tire.
niendous time, and when at last young
woman rushed in Il gave her the parcel
like an idiot without asking who she
was, gave it to the wrong woman
| Fifteen minutes after the real maid
arrived Oh there was rowi All
was worth would not have paid for the
dress. But was dismissed at once
deserved it.. It was the act of an idiot
How well do | remember what said tc
her-'you'll get roasting, mamselle.
Well, 1t was who got the roasting. Al
first they accused me Of stealing the
dress, but"
81 am sure you tell the truth" said
Ellie, and engaged the man at once
That day Sonora v was astonisbed
by receiving box which contained the
long lost dress uninjured
A letter which was inclosed told the
story in full, but without giving any
rfames, and Camille--the new waiter
never guessed that the liberal gift he re-
ceived at Christmas time was offered.
not to the accomplished waiter, but ID
the demon who had brought about &C
much happiness by his gift Of ball
dress. Mary Kyle Dallas in Fireside
Companion.