Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-01-03
MADELINES MISTAKE.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

All the Barchester family had come to
the conclusion, separately and collect
lively, that Bess looked like princess in
her white dress with the straight, cling
ing folds, the V neck, and the knot of
roses at the corsage that looked so OK
actly like real buds and leaves.
Bess was very pretty, too-one of
those warm-complexioned blondes, with
reddish hazel eyes, hair lighted up with
chestnut CLEANS, and pearly teeth who
remind one of Titian's studies and old
Peter Paul Rubens in his happie It
moods.
"Oh, Bess,' cried Honora, lido wear
your hair in low coil at the nape of
your neck, with just few cunning little
rings escaping"
''Nonsense.' said Eudora. "Do it in
fluffy mass at the top of your head, with
an amber dagger or a rope of Roman
pearls The Greek knot is all out of
date"
"Will you hold your tongues, both of
youf' sharply demanded Bess, stamping
her foot. "Oh, dear, how nervous
fell Madeline, dear, if this first even
ing we have ever given should prove
failure, IL shall commit suicide. |"
at won't prove failure, said Made
line, the eldest sister of all.
Madeline herself was hopelessly plain
The hair that in Bess's case was Titan
gold, was in hers dull orauge-red Her
weak, pale eyes were red-lided and
slightly crooked; her nose long and
sharp.
But, nevertheless, Madeline was
genius in her way. Old Judge Bar
chester never could have tided over the
rough sea of creditors, privations and
trials that beset him had it not been for
Madeline's help.
"Don't fret, papa said the pale
eyed diplomat. "That idea of yours of
giving up this handsome house is all non
sense. Who cares what the landlord
says9 Let him wait for his rent. 1t
won hurt him if he never gets it. Let
the tradespeople rage; they are simply
lot of sharks. Here's Bess, first-cla
beauty; and if she has fair chance,
she's sure to make the family fortunes.
But what can we any of us do with a
cheap fat aud cold mutton for dinner
One must have opportunities. Jest let
BesS aud me alone, papa, and you shall
see what we can do
And Judge Barchester, always willing
to leave the problems of life for some
one else to solve, flung the pie of dun
ming letters into the fire. aud buttoning
costly fur trimmed overcoat around
his rortly figure, took refuge in the
aristocratic halls Of the club, while
Madeline, like faded-cyed bid of
prey, futtered forth among milliners.
dressmakers and modistes for the benefit
OF Bess. the debutaute.
Everything is arranged" said she,
composedly. Il ordered the supper of
Yanesse. l bad to pay something on our
back Indebtedness, but took care it
should be as little as possible. Steiner
sends in the flowers. We've never or
dered flowers there before, and the poor
fools are anxious to secure our custom.
Mr.. Bapper, the funny man, is to recite :;
Mrs. Vyvyan engaged him for me And
Miss Dale will sing Scotch ballad.
There are plenty of nicer people than
Bapper ard Monica Dale. but every one
else wants to be paid in advance"
Bess colored.
"Oh, but NC will pay them, Made
line, when we're able, said she. I'VE
don't mean to cheat thcm!'
Madeline sneered cold sneer.
"Don't be silly, Bessn' said she.
"Every one in this world is more or less
engaged in cheating everybody else"
But, Madeline" burst in shrill,
small voice.
Madeline Barchester uttered an excla-
nation of annoyance.
''You here, Nora' said she. 'Listen-
ing and prying as usual Leave the room
at once-and, Dora, too
"But we want to see Bess's new fan
and Gloves pleaded the two tall
schoolgirls.
swell, you can't, them"
And without any ceremony, Madeline
pushed Honora and Eudora from the
room.
s'Horror little nuisancesln said she.
"But hers letter, Bess, that l didn t
show you"
"Another tormenting creditorr'
tsWorse than that. It's from Uncle
Zabdiel Cooper, down at BIackwood
Farm, where you stayed that summer
you had the whooping- cough. Don't you
remember
Bess's eyes softened. A gracious dim
pie came out at the corner of her mouth.
s'Whatin she cried-"dear old Uncle
Zab2"
Every dear, observed Madeline, con-
temptuously, t'and very delightful
Just the person to make sensation at
at your AT Home, under Mrs Fitzslau S
eye, and raked by the fire of Mrs. Au.
brey Rockingham lorgnettel With his
cowhide boots and pepper-and-salt
trowsers, and his fringe of chin wills
kers, and that chronic catarrh of his.
My dear Bess, if we allow shat old nuis-
ance to cross this threshold on Tuesday
evening, it amounts to throwing up the
game at once. And he's written that
he's coming on that evening"
Bess grew pale.
sob, Madeline, what are we to dog
Madeline laughed.
"Fve managed it," said she. sI'ye
written back to him that we've moved to
Fourteen Currant Court. I've told
Cousin Lucy Ransom to make the best of
the situation. She can persouate you,
if she chooses-she always had turn
for private theatricaIs. Or she can con-
vince the dear old bungler that he has
made some mistake. Anyhow, he'll be
be safe until Wednesday morning, and
We are safe, tool"
madeline, what contriver you are9r
said Bess, admiringly. "Bpt l do feel
sorry for Uncle Zab,"
Madeline shrubbed her shoulders.
''It's poor policy to feel sorry for any
one" observed she. ssAnd what does
an old lout like that know or care
whether he's snubbed or not?"
Besss heart pricked her little; but
sic was an apt pupil in the cold philoso-