Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-05-20
THE BLACK LACE DRESS.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

"And you're not going TO the dance,
after all, Katie Carlcton?n
Henrietta Lacy was sitting in the
modest little third-story back-room,
which was all the homo that Katie
Carleton had; a square room, with
ono bulging window, looking out
upon the roof, and the walls covered
with coarse, zigzlg pattern of Grim
son OH pea-grcen ground, while the
carpet, well worn in spots and care
fully darncd, was of a nondescript
color and dcsigu-great sprawing
leaves and scrolls bursting out in a
tangled comploXity which would have
made designers head swim.
But Katie Carleton, humble little
photopraph-c)lorer though she was,
Young and pretty, with yellow hair
waving away from her low, square
forehead, arched brows, and deep
hazel eyes, while the confinement and
monotony of city life had not yet
stolen all the fresh roses from her
cheeks.
For Katie Carleton, like many
another, had left comfortable, if not
a luxurious, farmhouse home, with
tho idea that fortunes were to be
picked up in the city as readily as
blackbcrrics on sunny stone wall.
Poor girl! She had found ont her
mistake soon enough, yet she had Itoo
much pride to return, useless bur
den to the honest old uncle and his six
daughters, who made chccscs and
raised poultry in the venerable pre-
cincts of Elderbcrry Farm. Nobody
wanted a governess; her little poems
were returned, labelled "Rospectfully
declined" from the newspaper
Cffices; and the water-colorod draw
ings, whereby she had expected to
take the artistic world by storm, hung
in the circulating library window
until their margins were smokc-black-
cned and their bright colors hopelessly
tarnished, without anyone ever taking
the trouble to ask the price. And at
last, just as Katie was beginning TO
wonder whcthor death by starvation
wGs really such painful end, some
kindly soul told her of chance to get
employment from great photograph
establishment in the Bowery.
Hetta Lacy was employed there, too
not exactly in Katie's humble capac-
ity, but as the smart young lady who
received the customers, helped them
with their bonnets and wraps, and
answered general questions. She con-
sidered it quite condesccnsion on
her part TO patronizo Katie; and Katie
had too few friends to be specially
particular about their quality. And
now, as Miss Lacy sat opposite her, in
a lilac poplin dress. and with an
artificia! bird in her hat, one could but
think of paroquet that had somehow
fluttered down into q dovc-cote.
"No," said Katie, 81 am not going"
~ know why" said Henrietta,
spiiefully. ats because Evan Merrls
doesn't approve of fancy balls.
"Mr. Mcrric ought to be a better
judge of what is aud what is not
proper than a mere country girl like
me-" said Katie, mixing a little more
ullramarinc blue for the sash of a
pudding-faccd little boy with cat in
lis arms.
"Oh, dare say!" said Hcurictta,
tossing her head. "And you're really
determined not to go"
"Yes, quite"
"Thcn perhaps YOU wouldn't mind
lending me the black lace dress you
pasted the gold stars on when you did
mean TO go. find that the lower
flounce is completely tora off my
white tarlaian, aud really haven't
time TO plan any new costumes"
"You arc quite welcome 10 it, Hem
iietta," said Miss Carleton. kindly.
81 can put on little gold fringe
and make a very decent Midnight
out of it," said Hetia, indifIerently.
"Only, Katie, think you are a goose
not to go!"
Katie did not argue the question
shc only painted quietly on and Hem
rie!a Lacy went away.