Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1891-10-02

LL" r."
Invitation TO her 'dear 5o0r frends FOR a
Grand bali ut her elegant residence GA
Fifth avenue 90 honor Of The entrance OF
her twin daughters into society
They bad just been graduated % some
fashionable finishing Off establish
ment. and their debut was intended to
Be a very mngniGcert affair.
Mrs, Gaes6fy. husband and daughters
were on the Invited list. As The former
and two latter sat in their natlor lock-
ing at The elegant cards. with the inter
esfing subject onder deep discussion
they were broken IN upon hy the en-
trance Of Mr. Gregory. who looked
hatassed and weary.
"Papar cried Iona. the elder daugh-
ter. "sce our invitations 10 Mrs Lang
don's great bali, showing him the cards
she held in her hand 'And there Is the
ioyeliest silk al Stewarts that want to
wear. Can I go and order 10 tomorrow
she pleaded, laying her white hand
flashing with Jewels, on bis arm. and.
looking mp into his face.
Haven't youany dresses TO weary be
asked somewhat moodily
"A-pienty Of old ones, which nave al
ready been worn and win not answer
forthis particular event she returned.
"Hoiv much win it costf Mr. Gregory
asked.
"Oh. perhaps n hundred and City,
said Lena carelessly. with as little idea
OF the value Of money rs an unfiedged
bird.
Her father groaned and said some
thing about foolish Extravaganza then
drawing out his pocketbooR slowly
counted ont the required sum and laid
It on the table.
"How much do you want. Bertha, he
asked, turning toward her,
II don't think ] want any, papa. I
have a pretty dress, which viii answer
very nicely" she replied.
You're a sensible girl, and the man
that gets You for a wife viii have some
one to help him keep his head above
water said Mr., Gregory, as he left the
room.
"Whatis the trouble with papa? What
does make him talk 80 dolefully when he
is asked for a little money! said Lena.
ANY one would think he was a poor
man."
at is n Of his money nervous spelisi
ne Is always so afraid his business af-
fairs won't come out just so straight;
then it is economy and r-etrenchment, or
everything will drift to bankruptcy.
That is the way business men always
talk till it has become quite an old story
with me- said Mrs, Gregory, drawing a
breath of relief.
~ don't think papa is trying to fright
eo5t ( all, said Bertha. 81 think his
busitess does really perplex him. I've
noticed for a week that he looked pale
snd tareworn and ne said but little. J
asked him yesterday if he was not well,
and he said there were anxieties preying
upon his mind"
''Was that the reason you didn't want
a new ball dress2" asked Lena.
Eyes, I'd rather wear an old one than
place papa to the expense of a a new one
now, while money is SO hard to raise, 4"
replied Bertha.
"Rcally, Mics Bertha, you are becom-
ing quite learned in financial affairs. !
should think papa would give you tho
position Of private counselor in his
counting room. With your wise brain
to aid him, he might sail through seas
of trouble, dry shod," said Lena with
sarcasm.
"PTay inform us how you came to
know so much about monetary affairs,
my daughter" said Mrs. Gregory.
81 heard papa and Mr.. Ainsley talking
about business when he was here the
other evening, and he said it was almost
an impossibility to get any money at all
now,n said Bertha
We'll you are a little goose, if you
will go to the grandest ball Of the season
in an old madeover ball dress, and be
ridiculed by all the elite, you can do so,
A few hundred dollars can't make much
difference anyway. And when you see
the victory which may, perhaps, be won
over a certain attractive gentleman of
our mutual acquaintance by your elder
sisters more stylish toilet, you will re-
greet your decision in favor Of Nine.
Noah's a~ntediluvian costume" said Lena
sneeringly,
I'm perfectly indifferent to the praise
or contempt of the fashionable world,
for there is neither heart nor sincerity in
It. Ard concerning the gentleman Of
MuOm JDu ~ h-Adubtl1 mubf II AAo ANAA
is only susceptible to the influence Of
costly apparel, he a pay court to it a:
long as he wishes without once exciting
my jealousy, as | want no dry goods
worshiper for my future liege lord. So,
ma chere sister, you have the field open
and clear to yourself.
'March on, march on, ye brave, to vic
tory or deathr sang Bertha, j~ubilantly,
waving her handkerchief at Lena, who
was picking up her money from the
table where her father had laid it and
humming a gay opera air.
Bertha, what dress have youto weari
You haven't any that you've not already
worn two or three times at least, and ]
desire my daughters to make as elegart
an appearance to any Of their friends on
this occasion" said Mrs. Gregory.
AS Mrs. Gregory was a particular
friend Of Mrs. Langdon, she felt in duty
bound to honor, as much as possible, the
advent Of her daughters TO the fashion
able world; and the attire Of her own
daughters on this occasion was an impor-
tant consideration.
'pm going to have Nine. Leicester