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

trayel in ancient pictures, acting for the
noace as messenger boy.
Startled beyond expression, Ellie was
about to fly. when the demon spoke
well, ma'mselle, I've been waiting
for you long while, was his chara,
teristic remark. II came so far TO save
time. Won't you get roastingl"
Then he tossed the Parcel into her
arms, turned and fed.
Ellie fled also. What the demon had
given her she did not know, but she me-
chanically clutcled it as she flew along
the lonely street. and by mere accident
took the right direction and found her.
self at the corner of an avenue she
knew. She arrived at her own door
Just in time-at least, so her mother de
clared-to save that lady going out OF
her mind with terror. She had no pa
per, but she had the parcel which the
demoniac parsonage had crammed into
her hands to prove that she had not
merely imagined the meeting with him,
and now she unfastened the many pins
that held it. unfolded the paper and sun
dry muslin wrappings within. and be-
hold-a dress-the loveliest ball costume
of gold satin aud black lace that could
be imaginedi
The demon had presented her with a
dress in which to attend the ball.
What does il mean 2" she exclaimed.
Really, feel as If was out of my
mind.
1T must be providential. said the
mother. @Try it on, my dear.
Effie obeyed- The costume fitted her
perfectly.
@You look like an ANGEL" said the
mother, admiringly.
But the demon said should have q
good roasting. sa Effie.
1T was only man in some queer
dress, said the mother.
@Of course. AT least, suppose So
And now you can go to the BALI -
@Shall dare? Will l not find my
costume vanishing. like poor Cinderel-
las, in the midst of my dance, with
whatever stands for the young prince at
the officers ball of the regiment?
doubt if it will be here in morning; be-
side, fought to advertise it: Ii the fiend
who pre-. nted young lady with
black lace ball dress, in dark alley. on
tie night of the --ti, will kindly CALL
or something oi lhe sort.
"Oh, we will look in the papers, OF
course, said her mother. @llus don't
believe We SHALL iDl aayIiIing--iale in-
tends you to go To .he ball.
30 IL seemed indeed.
Ellie went to the bali, and her dress
was pronounced charming. In passing,
] will mention to the reader that it was
there that she met the gentleman who
afterward became her husband, and that
much happened and all good fortune
came to her through the demons gift Of
the ball dress
No one ever advertised for the dress.
and it hung in Ef1ie's wardrobe until
her wedding day. She never expected
to solve the mystery that surround it.
Effie had married rich man and lived
in very elegant style, and man servant
was one of the necesssries of the house
hold. Mrs. Ackland-who lives with
her daughter-suggested Frcnchman,
and having advertised for such a person
a candidate presented himself. lie had
but one reference. but that was good
one.
II will tell you the reason have no
more, madame, said he. II have had
my ambitions--desired to go upon the
stage. even obtained position--I
played demon in the last act of great
spectacle at the - Theater. There
were 70 demons-It was glorious. But
alas! got into difficulties there
through my good nature. The re-
nowned Sonora v. had been playing at
the theater, and left behind her O lace
dress. She telegraphed that she would
send her maid for it, as she was to wear
it that night. Every moment was
precious. and the old lady who had
charge of me had sprained her ankle.
My friend she said to me, If you
would but go down the long stairs and
to the end of the passage, and wait
with the parcel until Ma'mselle Fanchon,
the senora's maid, comes for the dress,
you will save us all much trouble--you
will not be wanted for an hour.
i obliged her, of course. even went
into the damp alley of the back entrance
and waited there. / was kept tre-
mendous time, and when at last q
young woman rushed in, gave her the
parcel--like an idiot-witllout asking
who she was. ! gave it to the wrong
woman. Fifteen minutes after the real
maid arrived. Oh, there was a rowl
All was worth would not have paid
for the dress. But was dismissed at
once. / deserved it. 1t was the act OF
an IDIOT How well do / remember
what ! said to her: you'll get roast
ing, ma'mselle.' Well, it was / " no got
the roasting. At first they accused me
of stealing the dress, but"
Il am sure you tell the truth. said
Efiie, and engaged the man at once.
That day Sonora v. was astonished
by receiving box which contained the
long lost dress uninjured.
A letter which was inclosed told the
story in full, but without giving any
names, and Camille--the new waiter
never guessed that the liberal gift he
received at Christmas time was offered,
not to the accomplished waiter. but 70
the demon who lad brought about SO
much happiness By his gift Of a ball