Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-10-09
In A PREDICAMENT.
What Game of Nells Masquerad-
ing in Grandma's Clothes.

What Came of Nells Masquerade
ing in Grandma's Clothes.
In an easy-chair on the broad, old
fashioned portico that extended the en-
tire length of the rambling old farm
house, sat a young girl, rocking leisure
ty to and fro; from the crown of her
head to the tip of her dainty slipper
told what she was-a city girl.
A slight noise caused her to glance
carelessly over her shoulder; change
instantly swept over her face; the col
or left her checks and look of terror
crept into her eyes.
In the doorway stood the figure of an
old woman dressed in quaint brocade
satin the style of forty years ago. Soft
faces lay in graceful folds around her
white throat; her silky brown hair was
Bmoothed carefully beneath the dainty
cap trimmed with pretty lavender rib
bons; behind the large gold-rimmed
spectacles pair of dark eyes twinkled
with merriment.
"Grandma Parker" gasped the girl,
sis it you or your ghost?"
A peal of silvery laughter burst from
the woman as she flung herself in a
rustic chair Neither, my dear Ethel;
don't you know your own sister,"
81 do now" faltered Ethel, smile
taking the place of that startled look.
"What put it into your head to dress
up in that stylc?'
For want of better employment, 1
suppose After grandpa and grandma
left, felt rather lonesome, so / con-
cluded to 60 to the garnet and fix up
like did when was a child"
"a child, indeed. You speak as
though you were as old as Methuse-
lah!"
81 am eighteen and feel quite grown
up Well, to proceed with my story,
was up in the garnet, wasn't 1? The
first thing / saw was large oaken
chest, the one we used to play house
on, so took peep into it to see what
mysteries it contained. The first thing
that met my gaze was disappointing
to her dress. 81 thought / would put
it on and see if / did look like grandma;
everyone says am the living image
of her. Then l came down to scare
Dorothy, she is SO superstitious and
would imagine the horses had run off,
or something dreadful had happened
and grandma's ghost was appearing
to her. But Dorothy was out, she al
ways is If you want her. You were
the only one left, so / tried the expert
ment on you, and from your actions
think / succeeded. This is the way you
looked" And Nell leaned back in her
chair, rolled her eyes around in man
ner that was truly startling, and at the
same time exclaimed in tragic tones:
SIS it you or your ghost?"
"What torment you are! Perhaps
If you had been in my place you would
have looked worse than l did. You do
resemble grandma. Where are you go
ingP" for Nell had started down the
gravel path.
"Just down to the hammock" she re-
turned carelessly.
do no such thingp'
"Why not?" questioned Nell, coolly.
"Some one might see you and then
what would they sayl The country is
such dreadful place for gossip"
1--WE have been here three days and
not soul has come near, or ghost
either almost wished they would"
what, the ghosts?"
"Of course not" she cried, impa,
tiently, "how can you be so stupidP
meant the neighbors
"You should say what you mean,
began Ethel, severely, then laughed in
spite of herself.
''Good-by, Ethel" Nell called out
''If you get into any trouble, don't
look to me to help you out"
Don't worry, can take care of my
self. There!" she exclaimed, as she
settled herself in the hammock, that's
comfort but what if some one should
come" She turned and looked to
wards the house. NO." she said
firmly, eff I go back, Ethel will laugh
and i never could stand that. What i
anybody does see mel don't care!"
But she did care, and glanced care
fully up and down the level stretch o.
smooth country road.
1.-THE coast is clear" she muttered
"I'll stay little while just to show
Ethel I'm not coward. In the mean
time will read, it will help to pass
away the time"
Opening the dainty little blue vol
ume she began to read. An houl
passed, then another, but still she lin
gered, fascinated by the interesting
story.
poor Beatrice Earl" she hal
whispered, as she brushed the tear,
from her eyes. "The author was RICH
when she said: The consequences o
folly seldom end with its originator.
But how foolish am in staying here 81
long. I'll so TO the house at once"
just as she was rising from thu
swing pair OF strong arms wer,
thrown around her week and hearty
kiss was planted on her red lips.
"You Nan't scare me, | know VIII,