Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-08-20
THE BLACK LACE DRESS.


And you're not going to the dance.
after all Katie Carleton"
Henrietta Lacy was sitting in the
modest little third story back room.
which was all the home that Katie
Carleton had; square room with one
bullying window. looking out upon the
roof and tine walls covered with a
coarse zigzag pattern of crimson on a
pea green ground, while the carpet
we'll worn in spots and carefully
darned. was OF a non-descript color
and design great sprawling leaves
and scrolls bursting out in tangled
compleSity which would have made a
designers head swim.
But Kate Carleton. humble little
photograph Colorer though she was.
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 the city life had not vet
stolen all the fresh roses from her
cheek.
For Katie Carleton. like many an
other had left comfortable. Il not a
luxurious farm house home. with the
idea that fortunes were to be picked
up in the city as readily as blackber-
ries on a sunny stone wall. Poor girl.
She had found out her mistake soon
enough. yet she had too much pride
to return. useless burden. to the
honest old uncle and his daughters
who made cheeses and raised poultry
IN the venerable precincts of Elder
berry farm. Nobody wanted a gov
erness; her little poems were returned
labeled respectfully declined from
the newspaper Offices. and the water
color drawings. whereby she had
expected 10 take the artistic world by
storm. hung il the circulating library
windows until their margins were
smoke blackened and their bright
colors hopelessly furnished without
any one ever taxing the trouble to ask
the price. And at last Just as Katie
was beginning to wonder whether
death by starvation was really such a
painful end, some kindly soul told her
OF a chance to get employment from
great photograph establishment in
the Bowery.
Hetta Lacy was employed there.
too-not exactly in Katie humble
capacity. but as the smart young lady
VINO received the customers. helped
them with their bonnets and wraps
and answered general questions. She
considered it quite a condescension on
her part to patronize Katie; and Katie
had TOO few friends to be speciaIlg
particular about their quality. And
now. as Miss Lacy sat opposite her. in
lilac poplin dress and with an arti-
fetal bird in her hat one could bul
think OF paroquet that had somehow
futtered down into dove-cote.
- NO said Katie II am not going
Il know why. said Henrietta spite.
fully. Its because Evan Merris
doesn't approve of fancy balls. y
Mr. Merris ought to be a better
judge OF what is and what is moi
proper than mere country girl like
me said Katie, mixing little more
ultramarine blue for the sash of q
pudding faced little boy with a cat in
his arms.
20 l dare say. Z" said Henriettg
tossing her head. ',And you're really
determined not to go?"
Yes, quite. 7"
Then perhaps you wouldn't mind
lending me the black lace dress that
you pasted the gold stars on when vou
did mean to go. fird that the lower
founce is completely torn off my white
tarlatan and really haven't time tc
plan any new costumes"
You are quite welcome to it, Hen
rietta, " said Miss Carleton, kindly.
Il can put on a little gold fringe
and make a very decent Midnight
out OF it " said Hetta indifferently.
Only. Katie think you are a goose
not to go"
Katie did not argue the question
she only painted quietly on. and Hen.
rietta Lacy went away
20 Mr.. Merrisln said she, radiant
ly as on ascending the steps OF the
Photographic salon. she met the hand.
some Young foreman of the printing
office overhead I've just come from
Kate Cartoons And you ought t
see the lovely dress she has been pre-
pairing for the masquerade ballr'
''lndeedp' Evan Merris' brow dark.
ened slightly. Il thought she had
decided not to 60"
II don't know about that" SAID
Miss Henrietta artlessIy; II only
know that she's got a beauty of
dress. black lace all sprinkled oveI
with gold starsr'
Mr.. Merris passed on. and Henriett;
entered the salon. congratulatiug her
self on her finesse.
1--we put spoke In her wheel
guess said the young damsel to her
self; 'and serve her right for getting
Evan Merits away from me. that haC
known him yea before she eve
showed her pink and white baby fac,
here. And | didn't tell anything bu
the truth, either! ] did see the dres
there and she has been making it,"
Kate Carleton expected Evan Merri
in vain that night The little bow o
fresh blue ribbon in her yellow hal
tyas all in vain tho nn,v r,tg4ie NJ he