The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-06-18

anything but the truth, either!
did see the dress there, and she has
been making it!
Katie Carleton expected Evan
Merris in vain that night. The little
bow of fresh blue ribbon in her vel
low hair was all in vain; the new
ruffle at her throat and the spotlessly
ironed white apron were donned to
no purpose. She extinguished her
lamp at ten clock, and, creeping
into her alcove bed, cried herself to
sleep. she did not exactly know why.
The next night was the night OF
the much talked of masquerade
ball. Evan Merris hated and dis
pissed these miscellaneous gatherings
from the bottom of his heart-and
yet, just when carriage after carriage
was driving up, and the crowd
arriving, he chanced to be standing
in the brilliantly lighted street, lean
ing against lamp post, and moodily
watched the prettily attired figures
fit by.
Suddenly he gave start. There
was the black lace dress, starred
over with gold, floating across the
pavement, worn by a slight, grace
full figure, and leaving faint odor of
musk and patchouly in its pathway.
But he did not see the triumphant
flash they rested on his face.
There she goes, he murmured to
himself, as the diaphanous folds of
black and gold disappeared under
the decorated archway; and there,
beneath her feet, crash to ruins the
aircastles that my silly brain has
been building for the last three
months
So he went on his way, deter
mined to see or hear no more of
pretty Katie Carleton, the yellow
haired girl who had somehow con
trived to cast a glamour about his
heart and brain decidedly prejudicial
to the influence of Miss Henrietta
Lacy.
But mans resolves are made
neither of gutta percha nor adamant,
and he could not help pausing
instinctively in front of the tenement
house in which Miss Carleton lived;
and as he paused he saw, through
the big, brightly lighted window of
the grocery below, the slender figure
of Katie herself, in a gray dress, like
a little nun, buying the humble loaf
of bread and ten penny worth OF tea
which were to serve for her morrow
mornings breakfast.
1t can't be possible! said Evan
Merris to himself. No, 1t can't!
But just at that moment Katie
turned and he saw her whole face;
little sad, perhaps, but quietly self
contained and sweet Involuntarily
he walked in and held out his hand
to her.
Kate dropped the loaf of bread in
her embarrassment.
Mr.. Merris!
Miss Carleton!
How came you here2
might, with better reason, ask
how came you herei For l was
certain fifteen minutes ago, he added
seeing her surprised and bewildered
face, that saw you cross the pave
ment, opposite Hebe Hall, in a
black lace dress covered with gilt
stars, and enter the ball room door.
Oh, no, cried Katie. II had
long ago given up all idea OF going;
and Henrietta Lacy asked me for
the loan of my dress, as she hadn't
time to make up one tor herself.
Henrietta, eh? repeated Evan
Merris, slowly, as certain light
broke in upon his brain. | always
suspected that girl was not quite
straightforward in her dealings, and
I'm sure of it now, Miss Carleton.
Then, after pause, he asked:
Are you diseneaged this evening?
Quite.
May | come up and sit with you?
shall be delighted, answered
simple Katie, flushing all over.
The next day Henrietta Lacy
came around to Katie's room, with
the black lace dress folded up in
paper parcel.
I'm so much obliged to you, dear,
said she. l had such charming
evening.
So did |, said Katie, who longed
for some congenial ear into which to
pour the story of her happiness
Mr.. Merris spent the evening here.
Mr.. Merris!
Yes. And, oh, Hetta, only think!
He has asked me to be his wife, and
we are to be married in February;
and | don't know how it ever
chanced that so much happiness
should be in store for me.
Henrietta Lacy bit savagely at her
nails, as she listened. So all that
plotting and planning had been in
vain, after all And the magnet.
Love, had attracted Evan Merris to
the right and rue, after all.
WHY WOMEN MAY PROPOSE.