Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-04-21

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"a hdppD NeW Year to uou-mg ddr
HnM mn quceh'
The Christmas festivities We're to close
ON New Years eve with grad ball at
Shirley II was TO be a sumptuous
affair. with unlimited Chinese lanterns,
handsome decorations, a magnificent
supper and band from Washington.
The Smiths were going to requite the
neighborhood's hospitality with the beat
ing Of drums, the clashing Of cymbals
and the flowing Of champagne. This
cordial, friendly people had welcomed
them kindly and must have their cour-
tesy returned in fitting style.
Mrs. Smith suggested simpler enter
tainment, fearing contrast and any APP
pearance Of ostentation, but the general
gagged his neighbors better They were
at once too well bred, and too self salts
fed for any idea Of comparison to occur
to them They would eat his fruit cake,
or make him welcome TO their corn
bread with the same hearty unconcern
His wealth and their own poverty trou-
bled them equally little, They Were alb
stract facts with which hospitality had
nothing 10 do But in their way they
were proud; having given their best
without grudge or stint they would ex-
pect his best in return, and the general
was determined that they should have
it. The risk Of offense lay in simplicity,
not grandeur.
Mrs. Royal Garnett came over to
Lanarth day or so before the grand
event, bearing her family in her train,
to assist in the weighty matter Of a suit
able toilet for Pocahontas, She was a
tall. handsome woman, with noble
bearing and great decision Of character,
and on most matters notably those per-
tanning to the sacred mysteries of the
wardrobe her word with her family was
law Grace's taste was admitted to be
perfect
After an exhaustive discussion Of the
subject, at which both Berle and Royal
ignorantly and gratuitously assisted and
were fouted for their pains, twas irrev-
ocably decided that Pocahontas should
appear in pure white unrelieyed by a
single dash Of color.
"She looks cheap and common in any
thing but dead black or pure white at a
party" pronounced Grace with sis
terly frankness, and of course that set.
tied the matter, although Mrs. Mason
did venture on the modest protest that it
would look "pridelike and unusual"
Il want her TO look unusual, declared
Grace; ito make her so is at present the
object of my being. shall hesitate at
nothing short of cutting off her nose to
secure that desirable result. To be al.
mired woman must stand out dis
tinctly from the throng. aud I've set my
heart on Princess being the belle Of the
ball. Have You plenty Of flowers. deari
AS flowers are TO be your sole garniture,
yOu must have profnsion. ] can't toll
crate skinny, publishing bouquets.
None at all. Grace. confessed Poca-
hontas ruefully. except single Gala.
cut my last white rosebuds and camel
las to send to Nina Byrd Marion the
very day before | heard about the Shir-
ley ball. Isn't it provoking
Then somebody must get you some, 8
Grace responded promptly, pausing in
her preparations and regarding her sis
ter with the air of an autocrat IF the
men are not lost TO all sense of honor
and decency you1 have plenty OF
course You must have plenty. If only
they will have sufficient intellect to Sc
lect white onesl But they won't I'd
better instruct Roy and Berkeley at
once.
On the morningof the ball Berkeley
entered his mothers room, where the
three ladies sat in solemn conclave re
garding with discomfort a waiter full OF
colored flowers which a thoughtful
neighbor had just sent over to Poca.
hontas He held in his hand a good
sized box which he deposited in his sis
ter's lap with the remark:
Look. Princessi Here's a New Years
gift Just come for you. | don't know
the writing. wonder what it is.~
"A subtle aroma suggests-fruit,
hazarded Grace, shifting curiCusly.
perhaps flowers, suggested Mrs
Mason. who that morning was a woman
with one idea.
Pocahontss wrestled with the cords
unfolded the wrappers and lifted the
cover. Then she uttered long drawn
"Oh~ Of satisfaction.
"What is it, demanded the other.
with lively impotence.
Pocahontas lifted card and turned il