The Democratic advocate., 1891-03-21
0ri9inal gtorg.
WHAT MILDRED REMEMBERS.
Written for the Democratic Advocate,
BY FLORENCE sELBY.

Mildred was very happy A delightful
thing. had happened. 1t was so delicious
that her face was all smiles and dimples
as she thought about it. 1t was what she
had longed for. When she went to the
ball last night in her white gown and blue
ribbons it had been with the intention OF
making good use of her first grown-uT
party She was determined to fascinate
somebody, and she had made conquest
Mr.. William Payton was the victim
He was dashing young beau from Wash
ington College, reared with bright, at
tractive manner-such an attentive man,
ner The face was good one, and he had
beautiful, tender, candid eyes Of brown.
She had seen him sometimes at church
with one of the older Misses Clark, but he
had never noticed her then because she
was not out. Now all was different. AS
Mildred looked with animated blue eyes
into her mirror she laughed again and
again 1t was all so amusing to think over.
Her sunny golden hair was soft and
pretty. She had it low on her neck in a
becoming way Try as she would to pre-
vent, rebellious locks fell caressingly about
her white forehead. ale said he liked
my hair this way she said.
1t was a cool evening on the ID of May;
the candles stood by the long mirror
Milly's old nurse, Martha, stood by and
assisted her to make her toilet. For q
wonder the two older sisters were away
and Miss Mildred Lightfoot was going tG
entertain in the drawing room alone, and
it elated her to know that she could receive
visitors. That evening she wore fine
white muslin gown with puffed sleeves, and
a round low neck, a string of coral beads
were clasped around her neck, and she
tripped across the floor in front Of the
mirror to observe how her feet looked in
the new slippers "Well, I'm ready now,
she said, land hope look nice, Martha.
Do I, do you think ?'
Old Martha's gesture of enthusiasm was
more emphatic than words, and satisfied
Mildred, as she left the room followed by
Martha.
In the large, handsome, paneled drawing
room was Mr.. Payton, and who as gallant
as he? Mildred's father and mother, with
two old ladies', neighbors, were having an
absorbing game of whist. Then Milly went
to the piano, which was treasure. There
was trick about Milly's playing; such deaI
little pieces; dances that made you long to
trip it. Then her sentimental melodies
could melt you to tears. Before the visit
ended Mr.. Payton had a little sprig Of
mignonette that Milly had worn in hel
hair, and when he had bowed himself out
Milly stood pensive by the hearth, and, as
she held her hands TO the blaze of the crate
fire, she hummed little song and smiled a
little.
Mildred, my child" said her father
from the card table, at is time for you tc
go to bed"
She laughed sweetly.
"Father, | am grown up now, if you
please. Will you send me, really?"
The good old gentleman laughed too as
he looked at her over his glasses. She was
very pretty.
"Stay if you wish, my love"
She sat down little longer, in a reverie
then quietly went to her room. She had
lots of pleasant things to think about-h,
had begged leave to take flower, kiss hel
hand, &c.
The days wore on. Mildred found aftel
she grew accustomed to her place in society
that conquests were common with her. Sht
set less value upon this first. She regarded
him now as friend. His gallant phrases
his languishing air; ah, well, others aete(
Just as he did, and she had secret, ro
mantle admiration for his brown eyes, bn
she was not in love with him.
A day came when rumors of war cam,
into the little town. The rumors became
realities, and deep gloom overspread th'
household. The war broke out. Thesad
dest part to Milly was that the dear OLE
mammies she loved might one day n,
longer be theirs. That they might be poo
did not disturb her; in fact, she did no
realize that that could be; she had only
vague idea of what poor meant.
One day Will Payton came to Mildred
who sat in the drawing room alone H
looked so unlike himself that she went t
him in alarm.
"Miss Mildred he cried, taking he
hand, "Milly, dear, have come to sa
something important to you. | will b
brief. l love you dearly, and you know il
viii you be mine-for ever?~
She was startled, yet she should nc
have been Did she not see, every day, j
was coming to this?
@oh, dear, she said lniserably, blushin
like a rose, and drawing away her hand
II did not know. l did not suspect.