Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-05-13
THE MYSTERIOUS DRESS.

You are invited to the regiment ball,
dear, said Mrs Ach and, as her daugh.
ter entered the room, her dripping
waterproof and umbrella giving evi.
dence of a sturdy battle with the storm
that could be plai ly heard even through
closed shutters and dropped curtains on
that upper floor. The most polite letter
from Colonel B. saying you can &C
with his wife and daughters He knows
Ihaye retired from society Here is
the ticket, Etfie.
The elder lady's frail finr rs drew two
elegant squares of pink and gold paste
board from an envelope as she spoke.
But the girl. having hung her water
proofin an nadjacentkitchen, and perched
her umbrella where it could drip harm
lessly in some stationary tubs, did not
even pick them up.
1T would be be ter to publish the fac,
that Pve retired from society also, mann
MAJ" she said, little sadly.
AT 20?" cried her mother.
at comes to that when one has one
black frock patched at the elbows.
you could go in white. Gentlemen
admire it, or used to. White, with a
few flowers and no jewelry. No one
could find fault with that style. The
greatest heiress in Boston, when was a
girl, was admired for her simplicity.
Size always dressed in white.
"A sheet and piilowcase is the only
white costume could manage. That
poor old white dress that still exists in
your memory Is short in the waist, short
in the skirt, won't meet in the belt, and
its sleeves won't 60 over my wrist l
have grown in i've years.
Is it five years since you went to your
cousin Jennie's wedding in it2 Dear,
dear, how time flies Couldn't you
make over one of your old silk dresses !? I"
Il should be laughing stock, mann
ma. But can live without going to a
ball, though ! should enjoy it very
much.
"The daughter of Captain Ackland
ought to have opportunities, said the
widow. How are you to marry if you
never meet any one: A pretty girl like
you was never meant to be a spinster
and work for bread.
aThings point in that direction now.
Typewriting is no fun, and am as likely
to marry as | am TO 80 to Cuba. Don't
sigh, mamma. You would be lonely il
l went to the ball, ID / should be UP
late and make MISTAKES next day--.ose
my place, perhaps. I'll write very
polite regret when ! get some fine note
paper. Now let US nave tea.
The little brown teapot and the two
blue cups and plates were soon on the
table. Effie Ackland had way Of max
ing excellent little dishes out of next to
nothing-it was very convenient under
the circumstances-and although the
girl pinned for something beside the daily
routine of typewriting and evenings
spent in listening to her mothers remi-
niscences Of former grandeur--for Mrs.
Ackland had been belle and beauty
and an expectant heiress when she mar
ried the dashing young captain-it was
the mother who bemoaned herself.
At last. tea being over, it was discov-
cred that the storm had passed, and that
the moon was shining, and Effie declared
that she would run down to the little
stationer's shop and getsome note paper
of the proper sort ON which to reply to
the kind invitation and offer of the coll
onel and his lady.
1t was quiet neighborhood, and very
late. and Effie wrapped herself in thick
cloak, tied little blue hood over her
head, and ran lightly down stairs and
along the street toward the stationer'a
However, when she reached its door she
found it closed. The old woman who
kept it had expected no customers and
had retired early. Effie knew of another
shop of the same sort few blocks fur
ther on which was always open late,
and turned her st ps that way-at least
she intended to do so. But there are
still portions Of New York city where il
is very easy to lose ones self; and, be-
side, Effie was not an old resident of that
part of the city. Somehow she missed
the right corner, crossed the street at
wrong angle, and shortly discovered
that she was lost
It was gloomy and unpleasant street
IN which the girl found herself, and she
was somewhat frightened. However,
she decided that the best thing she could
do was 70 keep ON walking until she
came to decent shop or met police
man of whom she could ask the way.
She acted ON this resolution with her
usual promptitude, but for long while
she went on seeing nothing but liquor
Or cigar shops, and NOS meeting soil
itary guardian Of the peace. and came at
last to an old Building with plank wall.
Ia the center Of which an arclled gate
stood open.
just as she stood opposite this gate
two drunken men came bowling down
the street, and in terror or them she
stepped beneath the arch They passed
without seeing her; but before she dared
70 venture out = light shone in her face,
and. turning, slie saw . figure in black.
with red shnea red cane. horns. hoofs.