The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-05-08

h9U CnoCh0u OiitO SOrReOuS foyer my near
gave boundl had once or twice peepet
into it when at the opera, and wondered
how such bare and uninteresting room
could ever afford the gorgeous spectacle tc
which looked forward with such beatins
heart: but now the place seemed to me {
fairyland.
While we were waiting for Mrs. Ha
thorne in the dressing room could hard
ly restrain myself; and when we came out
into the curving corridor full of flowers
and plants, behind which sat merry
couples, thronged with gay promenaders
altogether mysterious and wonderful
when we caught our first glimpse of the
crowded ballroom, saw the blue hangings
heard the crash of the band, was in the
seventh heaven of bliss and excitement
But in very short time my spirits came
down to their level again. 1t was only an
ordinary party on Il large scale-very much
the same men talked to me, very much the
same things were said did exactly what
| had been doing at every party through.
out the winter. was tired of restraining
myself. wanted to "let out and swipe. y
as the cricketers say; wanted to cut a
dash. Mrs. Hathorne didn't want Lofty
to sit on the stairs; of course that meant
that must stay near her all the evening,
or ruin my character with her.
If l could have gotten off by myself
somewhere where the eyes of all the old
ladies were not fixed on me l could have
given myself free play; it was only when
we were sitting on the stairs at supper
Everybody did that, so Mrs. Hathorne
didn't mind) that managed to get into a
corner, where | had a quiet filtration.
Otherwise J danced, or rather tried to
dance for the floor was awfully crowded.
and six or seven men kept appearing and
reappearing and saying things could not
hear, and always felt convinced that ]
must let Mrs. Hathorne see me pass by at
least every ten minutes-and was demure
-heavens l looked at those suggestive
doors in the corridor, and would have
given my head to have gone with Bran
Boullter into the pitch black galleries or
slipped down to the supper room, where
the men were now smoking, to see what
was going on-or to have done something
exciting, no matter whatl I think Bran
felt that | had not fulfilled his expecta-
tions, and in truth was so impatient that
evening with myself and my surroundings
that was once or twice quite cross to him.
Mrs. Hathorne took us away early. /
did not breathe sigh. wanted to CO.
But | preached patience to myself with
much diligence, and ] dare say that nv
state of mind at the assembly was more
gloomy than at any other time during the
winter. When Lent sent us all into COM
parative quiet l had fewer temptations and
more time to reflect. sAfter ALL" said
to myself, suppose do not go to wildly
gay suppers after the opera, or on racket
ing sleighing parties with sham matron.
Suppose / am forced to curb myself in
every way. / ought not to complain, and
l am positively ungrateful for so doing.
Learn, Ethel, to be contented with what
you have achieved. Tout Went uui salt
attendre."
With this maxim, and with the little
catchword of which Mr.. Temple was SO
fond-"P Patience, gentlemen, and shuff1e''
i comforted myself. I shuffied. l ad-
dressed myself once more to the routine of
gaining favors, and tried to like what
had as had not what liked, and think
my spirits really rose to a considerable ex-
tent.
But the occasion when l really felt SUI
perlor to the world were those hours when
into the delighted ears of Lofty and Olive
poured my condolences, and for them
satlrized my acquaintances. Not that /
was Ill natured: but my nerves were so
soothed and my temper so improved by the
process that it was double pleasure to me.
1t was so satisfying to be able to mimic the
little foolish ways of the men, to hit off the
affectations of the girls-and / could do it
In the best natured way in the world Of
ten, While some fussy dowager was draw
ing on my discretion or my patience, have
sala 10 myself, You shall pay for this
|, my GEAR laoyi snail not remember your
Donnee stflngs. and your ridiculous waist,
ana that egreglous false frontS Be careful
ABOUT q tne pronunciation of your French, /
peg or snail be tempted at some future
tlme to Initiate YOU" And oh, the men
son mno u, pa.ronlzea me! it was such fun to
oeo e.ein lowing 10 Lotty OF Ohve on the
-; =. INC .l uays on which we nau oeen
,,ratana ~, s; ;n az Snsn ~ was so delisncIui 70
fa,,D, pu innocence, 70 ieaa them on In their
so ~ ipooes0, o1i'eve glrl can make
NV : ,u1n ms say S Vi u! aiink anyemng. Well,
he a,rane.sa 80 neen III n''ureo' oue consider
'Iv w. p.o'oot,oion
Iu"aru tne end OF Lent decided on a
uttle onensiVe strategy, and got up a
couple OF small Saturday afternoon teas.
u u course Lotty and Olive came to my as
sistance. decked up our comparatively
pare walls witha hundred or so of Japanese
[ans which got for a few cents apiece,
and, In moment of inspiration, conceived
Ine happy Thought of covering our dresses
also with the airy adornments.
! was enormously successful, and the
men who struggled in to my first tea were
20 much amused by the tout ensemble that
they beat up all the afternoon loungers,
and Tor the last hour on our first afternoon
and all through the second the little narlor