Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-09-01
MRS. WILVERT0N'S BALL.

phere. Indeed, the first faint drops OF the
coming shower were already pattering
down on the dainty dress Ms. Alison was
embroidering for her beloved baby.
For PHYS sake, Maud, broke forth her
liege lord, don't begin crying. Why can't
you be sensible and look nj the matter in
a sensible way IL ought not TO be so hard
for YOU TO yield 20 my wishes, when have
good reasons for asking you 70 do IL be
sides"
II don't know what you call good rea-
sons sobbed Maud Alison. you don't
know the wilvertons that you should
wish me 20 give up attending their ball
such a magnificent affair As it's going to
be, too"
That's the chief of my reasons-because
don'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 "a unjust rs you can Ire" cried
Mrs Alison indignantly, "to say such I'M
just things about n stranger of whom you
know nothing do believe you are jeal-
Gus of him because he was so attentive TO
me at Mrs. Fitzgerald'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 rashly. You haven't known the
family a month. and yet Mrs Wilverton is
rs much at home here as If the house be
longed to her. / don't like it, and / 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
my wife known as the chosen friend of a
pair Of adventures.
And having delivered this decision Mr.
Alison walked out of the room.
Thereat his pretty wife was Justly indig-
nant as well as at what he had said. An
ger had dried the tears upon her cheeks as
she muttered: Adventures, indeed; as il
that were possiblel | am sure that Mr.
and Mrs. Wilverton are "a elegant and re-
fined as any people of our acquaintance,
and everybody SAYS the ball will be mag
nificent, 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 there"
And the little foot came down with en-
plsasis upon the soft carpet beneath it,
Thus it was that Mr.. and Mrs. Alison so
nearly quarreled this bright morning in
early December The Wilvertons had is
sued cards for grand reception and ball.
to which nearly all the elite of the town
had responded favorably. Could Mrs Ali
son declines She did not intend TO, at all
events.
Yet il was with rather a failing heart
that she penned her acceptance Of the invi-
tation and commenced her preparation
for the great event she had never vet in
their pleasant married life acted so willful-
ly in opposition To her husbands wishes
But this time she felt herself in part ex-
cusable.
IF he had asked me not to CO." she
said, half penitsntly, II might have
thought better of it. but won't be com
mandod. didn't marry to become my hus-
bands slave and I'll GO TO this ball if only
to show him that eau think for myself
and shall act rs choose, w neither he objects
or not"
You see, the little lady was fast working
herself up to a very high pitch of virtuous
Indignation, aud 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-
ton of attending the ball
''You are not in earnessy' he said.
Indeed. / am" was the defiant reply.
ora as,r
Mrs Leighton has offered me a seat in her
ing noe yourself"
81 certainly shall not co. her husband
answered firmly. And / cannot believe
my little wife will 60 without me, - he add
ell pleasantly "Glve me kiss, pnss, and
when I come bono this evening I trust
you will have put all this nonsense out OF
your bead. BY. byt''
But his wife woald not look at him when
he kissed her, and stamped her foot anarily
50 the door closed behind him and she
the steps
Tn not baby" she said 10 herself
"eud I won't be treased Hike one He shall
find out that can go without HIM"
And he did come 20 n realizing sense Of
evening. Running lightly upstairs TO their
room. the first sizht. thar met his amaze,i
eyes was his prctiy wife in full festive
robes.
We'll. dear" she said With a slight af
fextafion Of uncu1Hc1ousnfs ~ that she was
vexinz him In the least, you sec have
decided 90 20. after all How do you Ike
my dress' dressed early on purpose fov
you e. seitT
Mr. Akron had stopped short "a shs
spoke. With hands uplifted.
"Msud. he said in = vexed way, what
does this mean"
"TIave you iorgotten 20 quick she an
sweged lightly. Tt Is the Wiivertons
ball. you know told you this morniuz
Mrs Leighton bad offered % call for ma
snsi bring me home szain. Don't ron -
mernberf-
Il remember something Fou seem =
have forgotten. was the cold reply. 'taai
y thas did not and DO not ~nut you 2
= t. this bail rhosc Wilvertous sre -
a. People for Tou - associsste with u toa
am osrtaiu Tin t1vn e fnl = r'1nor
a.insf than, ard predict that ron vil
find hnt ~ 4e~ert r.oc's their tonight
W hst usrssepse Tsu srr talking se
Sad renuineiv surpT sd uov Wby.
know fh~rs srs pa~rfT - - f~-sf resoni
Eniuz I hs~e s-sraeiy M oos vho -
Gegi nesi the invitation.
arlsas uaar - VS. ths g1iet repig fhu
rsarr rn~n ~ho havr hesr8 A. mfnh am
more than hs-~ xiU rbenge sheir mind
sssntst4s ssrf keeu themselves ard tl-ei