The state herald., 1891-11-06
AT THE MASQUERADE.

nitu iluu lllOTe suitOrS Ut kHcW UeUteT
how to refuse them and still keep
them ut her feet,
Now Peggy had II stepmother and
no father, and like the traditional
stepmother this one was hard to live
with. Perhaps Peggy was little bit
70 blame herself, for she strongly OBJ
iected to being dictated to, even when,
as Mrs. Hildreth would inform her,
sit was only for her own good" but
as it was only the week before she had
been heard to say she should be glad
when that witch was well married
and out OF the house." we can hardly
blame Peggy for not having ungues-
toned iaith in Mrs. Hildreth's desire
for her good.
One afternoon, when these two had
had a few words OF anything but an
amiablc nature. the servant nm
nounced caller FOR Miss Peggy, Mr..
Jack Leslie, of the 7th regiment, i. ap-
peared from the card, and Peggy
FASTENED to meet him, looking, with
her sparkling blue eyes and golden
curls, gowned in a short WASTED white
muslin tied up under the arms with
broad sash, like AN animate Kate
Greenaway picture.
ooh, Jack, I'm so glad you We come,
Mrs. II. and ! have been having it
again, although came out ahead"
with q laugh.
"As usual, see. But what were
you quarreling over this time?"
"Wcil, I'll tell you. called that
young Bliss n TOOL or an idiot, don't
remember which, and as he is distant.
ly related to Mrs. H., she naturally
objected. We argued the matter to
some length, and then she told me to
prove my statement or take it back.
| said ! could, and that she would
ngrec with me ii she had only heard
him propose the other night.
"lt was done in this way" and Peg
gy stood mp at an angle of forty-iive
degrees and toyed with an imaginary
eye-glass: 'Weally, Miss Hildweth,
you wenlly must do me the aw-
extreme kindness OF accepting my
name and aw-estates, doncher
know and then after that
she gave in," and Peggy took two
waltz turns and sank into an easy
chair and said:
Now Jack, let's have it. ] know
you've brought some good news by
the disagreeable way the lines in your
forehead run"
We'll, you've guessed Alright, so Just
hold your breath while ! relate all ]
know. The 9TH intend giving a ball
ON the Sd OF next month, and Nv,
come over to invite you early so there
can be no mistake about your going
with me-"
"Really-honor bright, cut your
throat? How nice of you to come
over and tell me before the other girls
knew anything about it.'
"Weli, rs long rs you don't throw
me over for Overalle or any OF the
wainwright boys, shall feel repaid"
Peggy actually colored, for Howard
Overnlie was ono oi the few men whom
she could not bring to her ieet. MOI
very handsome man, but tall and
Observation-Disclosures, bearing himself
like the true honest soldier that h,'
was. lie had often watched Peggy
Hildreth from afar. and contrasted
her with the pale. tired, invalid sister
hc Ind NJ home in iaraway Montana.
Jack Leslie had purposely mentioned
Overallc Just to tense Peggy. Ho had
always known her md ms she pes,ered
him when it suited her mood, he
once in while rctaliated.
II was war 10 the knife between the
two until jack left aud then Peggy
went upstairs to pull over some old
trunks OF her own mothers TO see
what she could find suitable TO wcni'
to the bnll She came across 1t
beautiful white brocadc with tiny
pink roscbuds embroidered over IL.
"Now." slic soliloquixed, this would
lust suit me mndu up with little oi
this honicon lace. Mts. liildtcth viii.
faint with horror at tho idea aud say
III look like my own grandmother.
Then perhaps somebody will fall IN
love with my own grandmother. Now,
III put IL on nnd dance the minuci
with somebody's grandfather. ] wisl,
tho somebody's grandfather looked
like Howard Oycrnllc tho hat cful old
thing. I'd like the fun Of refusing him.
Now, Peggy wait n moment. II Mr..
Oyerale should ask you To accom-.
pnny him to Montana aud spend a
dun existence with m invalid sister
nnd mn old dull mother. would you,
after all, relnsr' oh. bother It's too
warm to Get int % discussions with ones
self
Aud doing the sweet old.fasbioned
gown up into n bundle. Peggy sauntcr'
| ci down to the Village dr,~ssmnkcr
and after leaving there. decided she'd
| Just run In aud SEQ u Widow Tucker
boy was recovering from a slow
fever.
It wns poor little cottage into
which Peggy wendell her way, aud tn,
| widow heitclf looked hnliiod.
~ don't believe you've had any
dinner today thought Peggy. "nnd
NJ you're too proud TO ask Tor II, m
have to plan.
"Why don't you take n walk Will,
/ Mt by Jamie nni tell him BtorirHg
she anid, aloud. And, by the way, u
YOU nrc going by my house lust stop
| IN and get my rnpo and tell Hannah
20 give you your dinner. II Will save
yon cooking here.
The widow Gladly went, aud Peggy
amused herself and jamie nventinp
! stories.
While In the middle Of one sh,
glanced up aud bohold Howard Over
ale standing Ia the doorway with n
look OF rapt admiration on liis face.
"Do You come here oitenp" Was
| the first rolnhrk,
Mover" she replied. white jamie
eyes dilntcd 60 such an extent OH,
would know she was not telling the
truth.
"What arc you hero iorf" lc aeked
MY laundry" was the brief reply
lie saw her home through the w,