Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-01-05
LUCY'S POCKET.
What It's Contents Disclosed, and
the Vow She Made.

~@-~@~-~"
Now, Lucy" admonished a sweet.
faced woman, sitting idly by the win
dow and watching her daughter as she
put the finishing touches to a most be-
witching toilet, 81 trust you will give
heed to my counsel, and not excite jeal.
ousy in the hearts of your companions
to-day. Be circumspect; and don't
pray, give any encouragement to Bob
Lester, unless you mean to marry him
Your flirting proclivities, I am sorry to
say, are alarmingly developed.
wish"
Eyes, yes, mamma" broke in the girl,
impatiently, adjusting the rose-colored
knot of ribbon more satisfactorily at her
white throat; 81 know what you wish, so
don't draw such despairing breath, for
promise Ill attend to your advice and
behave as circumspectly as ever Rose
Martin, the ugliest girl in Rosedale,
could do. You needn't apprehend any
thing unpleasant. dislike Bob Lester
intensely, and I only consented to &C.
company him to the picnic because he
is the son of the richest man in the
town-or county, too, for that matter.
Besides, l have penchant for"
She paused abruptly, with the name
of some one warm upon her lips, and a
blush mantled her piquant blonde face.
She was lovely girl, slender, petite
and graceful as one of the sweet-brier
branches that clambered over the gar
den wall. She had mischievous gray
eyes, a superabundance of red-gold hair.
allowed to fall in two massive strands
to-day, a rosebud of a mouth, and the
cunningest hands and feet imaginable.
AS her mother regarded her intently,
she hit her lip and turned aside, as If in
quest of something.
What are you searching for now,
Lucy?" inquired Mrs. Sherwood. Your
toilet seems complete"
Not quite, mamma; you forget my
charming pocket. All the girls will
wear one to-day. We are to bring home
our trophies in it, you know"
Nonsense, Lucy! 1 would not wear
it if were you. 1t is absurd for a young
lady to have one of those useless ap-
pendages dangling at her side"
But Lucy persistently shook her head.
''Sorry, but really can't relinquish
the charming accessory to my toilet
mamma. Why, it is out of the question
altogether. Each of the girls is to wear
one, tell YOU"
Mrs. Sherwood said no more, and
Lucy began to fasten her pocket by its
tasseled cord to the rose-colored belt at
her waist.
Just now the girls of Rosedale had q
mania for wearing pockets of the most
fanciful. description, not to deposit any
thing therein, but merely as a matter OF
show. Lucy's was heart-shaped, OF
wine-hued velvet, and artistically
adorned with gold cord, lying against
the soft background of her dress. it had
very pretty effect, and Lucy regarded
it admiringly as she turned away from
the long mirror.
AT this juncture man relned in two
spirited black steeds in front of 1.-The
Naples" as Widow Sherwood's coy
place was appropriately called.
There is Mr.. Lester now, mamma, y
cried Lucy, who was slyly peeping al
the snowy turnout from behind the
lace drapery at the window. my
won't 1 be tho envy of every girl at the
picnic? What lovely horsesl Thei,
tails nearly sweep the ground, and just
look at the silver-plated harnessi Deal
me! if Bob Lester didn't have such
fery-red hair and was a bit more pol
ished, and Yes, yes, mamma, I an
ready, and will not keep my cavalier
waiting. There goes Jane with the big
frosted cake and the basket of sand
wiches. Oh, anticipate splendid
time!"
And, putting on her wide gypsy, thu
girl tripped merrily down the steps
was assisted into the carriage by Mr.
Lester, and away they sped in the di
rection of the pine woods, some two O
three miles away.
Bob Lester, a man of twenty-eight
compactly built, with flaming red hal
, and beard, did his best to make himsel
agreeable. Lucy laughed at his rougl
sallies, and flashed back witty repair
tees; but all the while she was wonder
ing what girl had been brought there b,
, Ross Wilde-a strikingly intelligen
: but rather impecunious young lawye
whose offer to escort her to the picni
out of caprice or a desire, perhaps, t
= try her power over him, she had COOL,
, rejected.
The pine woods were alive with har
Ply people when Bob and Lucy arrived
! much merriment was going on, and
. string band was discoursing most jubi
liant air.
= Lucy cloaAlv acanned the mot1a