The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-23
NI1E!}f E59lf
MRS. WILVERTON'S BALL

frowned darkly. It was evident there was
storm brewing in the domestic atmos-
phere. Indeed, the first faint drops OF the
coming shower were already patterng
down on the dainty dress Mrs. Alison was
smbroidering for her beloved baby.
'For pity's sake, Maud, broke forth her
iiege lord, don't begin crying. Why can Z
you be sensible and look at the matter IN
q sensible way 1t ought not TO be so hard
for you to yield TO my wishes, when have
good reasons for asking you TO do 1t be-
sides"
81 don't know what you call good rea-
sons. - sobbed Maud Alison. you don't
know the wilvertons that you should
wish me to give up attending their ball
such magnificent affair as It's going to
be, too"
That's the chief of my reasons-because
Idon't know anything about the family
neither for nor against them. But the
mans face is enough to condemn him. /
wouldn't trust him an inch out Of my
sight"
You're as unjust as you can be, cried
Mrs. Alison Indignantly, Ito say such I'M
Just things about stranger of whom you
know nothing. do believe you are jeal-
Gus Of him because be was so attentive to
me at Mrs. Ftzgerald's party"
Mr.. Alison whistled.
Jealous! ] should hope wasn't quite
such fool But do think you are alto
gether too careless in taking up with peo-
pie so rsshly. You haven't known the
family a month. and yet Mrs Wilverton is
as much at home here as if the house be-
longed to her. don't like it, and l eX-
pressly desire that you will see as little of
either her or her husband as is possible
until something more is known Of both of
them Especially do | wish you to decline
their invitation to this ball. don't want
nv wife known as the chosen friend of a
pair Of adventures.
And having delivered this decision Mr..
Alison walked ont of the room.
Thereat his pretty wife was justly indig-
Rent as well as at what he had said An
ger had dried the tears upon her cheeks as
she muttered: Adventures, indeed; as if
that were possible! ] am sure that Mr.
and Mrs. Wilverton are as elegant and re-
fined as any people of our acquaintance,
and everybody says the ball will be mag
piflceGt, and everybody is going, too, and
-and-so am l. will not be deprived Of
every little pleasure | chance to care for
because Fred chooses to dictate in that
lordly manner. shall go TO the ball in
spite of him; so, tbere!"
And the little foot came down with en-
phasis upon the soft carpet beneath it,
Thus it was that Mr.. and Mrs Alison 50
nearly quarreled this bright morning in
early December. The Wilvertons had Is
sued cards for a grand reception and ball.
to which nearly all the elite of the town
bad responded favorably. Could Mrs Ali
son decline? She did not intend to, at all
events.
Yet it was with rather a failing heart
that she penned her acceptance of the inyi-
tation and commenced her preparation
for the great event. She had never yet in
their pleasant married life acted so willful-
ly in opposition TO her husbands wishes
But this time she felt herself in part ex-
eusable. |
''If he had asked me not to go" she
said, half penitently, Il might have
Thought better of it, but / won't be com
manded. didn't marry 20 become my hus-
bands slave, and I'll go to this ball if only
to show him that can think for myself
and shall act as choose, whether he objects
or not"
You see, the little lady was fast working
herself up to q very high pitch of virtuous
indignation, and she was scarcely disposed
of conscience, especially when it dared TO
whisper that she was wrong
The night of the ball came around at
last, as all things do when patiently waited
FOR. At breakfast that day Mrs. Alison
had announced to her husband her inten-
tion of attending the ball
"You are not in earnestY" he said.
Indeed, | am" was the defiant reply.
my preparations are all completed, and
Mrs leighton has offered me a seat in her
carriage in case you persist in not escort
ing me yourself"
Il certainly shall not 60" her husband
answered firmly. And / cannot believe
my little wife will go without me" he add
ed pleasantly. Give me kiss, puss, and
when | come home this evening / trust
you will have put all this nonsense out Of
your head. BY, by!'
But his wife would not look at MIN when
be kissed her, and stamped her foot angrily
IS the door closed behind him and she
heard his careless whistle rs he ran down
the steps.
'pm not a baby" she said TO herself
land won't be treated like one. He shall
6nd out that can so without him"
And he did come to a realizing sense Of
the fact when he came 10 dinner shat
evening. Running lightly upstairs to their
room, the first sight that met his amazed
eyes was his pretty wife in full festive
robes
swell, dear" she said with a slight af-
fectation of Inconsistencies that she was
vexing him in the least, you see / have
decided TO go, after all. How do You like
my dressg / dressed early on purpose for
you TO see it.n
Mr.. Alison had stopped short as she
spoke, with hands uplifted.
Maud, he said in a vexed way, what
does this meant
"Have you forgotten so quickg" she an
swered lightly. 1T is the Wilvertons' .
ball, you know. l told you this morning
Mrs Leighton had offered TO call for me /.
and bring me home again. Don't you re- /.
member
81 remember something you seem 10 .
have forgotten" was the cold reply: that J
il that did not and do not want you 10 .
go to this ball. Those Wilvertons are not (
Fl people for you TO associate with; of that .
I am certain The town is full Of rumorS .
against them, and predict that you viii .
find but few decent people there toni Int. -
What nonsense you are talking, she .
said, genuinely surprised now. why, .
know there are plenty Of the best people .
going. have scarcely met one who has .
declined the invitation"
THAT NAV be, was the quiet reply, but .
many men who have heard as much ana F.
more than have viii change their minds .
tonight, and keep themselves and their .
families away. Those who do go VIII be
sorry for it, I am very sure"
What terrible things have YOU heard. I .
4, Ia. to L. 10 ~ L-Tf
WINGED
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