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

Sand you're not going TO the dance,
after all, Katie Carlcton?"
Henrietta Lacy was sitting in the
modest little third-story back -room.
which was all the home that Katie
Carleton had; square room, with
ono bullying window, looking out
upon the roof, and the walls covered
with coarse, zigzag pattern of GRIM
son Oh pea-green ground, while the
carpet, we'll worn in spots and care
fully darncd, was of nondescript
color and dcsigu-great sprawling
leaves and scrolls bursting out in a
tangled complexity which would have
made designers head swim.
But Katie Carleton, humble little
photoprapll-colorer though she was,
was Young and pretty, with yellow hair
waving away from her low, square
forehead, archcd brows, and deep
hazel eyes, while tho 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
q luxurious, farmhouse home, with
tho idea that fortunes were to be
picked up in the city as readily as
blackberrics on sunny stone wall.
Poor girl! She had found ont her
mistake soon enough, yet she had ftoo
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 Elderberry Farm. Nobody
wanted governess; her little poems
were returned, labelled "Ilcspectfully
declined" from the newspaper
cffices; and the watcr-colorcd draw
ings, whereby she had expected TO
take the artistic world by storm, hung
in tho circulating library window
until their margins were smokc-black-
ened and their bright colors hopelessly
furnished, without anyone ever taking
the trouble to ask the price. And at
last, just as Katie was beginning to
wonder whether death by starvation
YVES really such 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
mot 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-
siderea it quite g conaesccnsion on
her part TO patronize Katie; and Katie
had too few friends to be specially
particular about their quality. And
now, as Miss Lacy sat opposite her, in
lilac poplin dress. and with an
artificial bird in her hat, ono could but
think of a paroquet that had somehow
fluttered down into dovc-cotc.
'sNo." said Katie, ~ am not going"
81 know why" said Henrietta,
spiiefully. "It's because Evan Merrls
doesn't approve of fancy balls"
"Mr. Merric ought to be better
judge of what is aud what is not
proper than mere country girl like
me-" said Katie, mixing little more
uliramarine blue for the sash of
pudding-faced little boy with cat in
his arms.
"Oh, dare say!n said Henrietta,
tossing her head. .'And you're really
determined not to CO."
ayes, quite"
"Then perhaps You wouldn't mind
lending me the black lace dress you
pasted the gold stars OH when you did
mean to go. | find that the lower
flounce is completely torn off my
white tarlatan, aud | really haven't
time to plan any new costumes"
"iou arc quite welcome 10 it, Hem
Iietta," said Miss Carleton, kindly.
81 eau put on little gold fringe
and make very decent Midnight
out of it," said Hetia, indiflercntly.
"0nly, Katie, think you are a goose
not TO go!"
Katie did not argue the question
shc only painted quietly on and Hen
rie'ta lslcy went away.