Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1892-12-01
THE BLACK LACE DRESS
"And you're not going to dance aft
pr all kntin Earlntnn 81

modest little third-story back room
which was all the home that Katie
Carleton had-a square room, with
one bulging window looking out upon
the roof. and the walls covered with a
coarse. zizzag pattern of crimson on
peagreen ground, while the carpet, we'll
w"rn in spots and carefully darned.
was of nondcscript color and design,
great. sprawling leaves and scrolls
| bursting out in 4 tangled comple3ity
which would have made a designer
| head swim.
But Katie 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 city life had not yet
stolen all the fresh roses from her
cheeks.
For Katie Carleton. like many an
other. had left a comfortable if not a
/ luxurious farmhouse home with the
idea that fortunes We're to be picked
up in the city as readily rs black
| berries on a sunny stone wall. Poor
! girl. She had found out her mistake
soon enough, vet she had too much
| pride to return, useless burden. to
the honest old unclca and his six dauch-
tiers. who made cheese and raised poul-
try in the venerable precincts of Elder
berry farm. Nobody wanted a gov
erne>>: her little poems We're returned
labeled Respectfully declined from
the newspaper Offices. and the water
colored drawings whereby she had ex-
/ prcted to take the artistic world
by storm hung in the circulating
| library window until their margins
were smoie-blackened and their bright
co:ors hopclessly furnished, without
any one ever taking the trou5l. to ask
the price. And at last, just as Katie
was beginning to wonder whether
| death by starvation was really such 2
painful end. some kindly soul told her
OF a chance to get employment from a
great photograph establishment in the
Sowcrv.
Hetta E.acy was employed there. too
not exactly in Katie, humble ca
pacity. but as the smart Young lady
who received the customers. helped
them with their bonnet> and wraps
and answered general questions She
considered il quite a conlesceu>ion on
he: partto patronyc Katie Katie had
too few friends To be specially particular
about their quality. Aud now a Miss
Lacy sal opposite her. in a lilac poplin
dress aud with an artificial bird in her
hat. one could but think OF a paro9uet
that had somehow tiuttered down into
doyecote.
No, said Katie. q an not going
i low why, said Henrietta. spite
fully Its because Evan Merli> does
not approve Of fancy balls
Mr. Merris ought To be better
jud ge Of what is and what is not prop
or than q mere country sir ike me-"
said Katie, mixing a little more ultra
/ marine blue for the sash Of 4 pudding
faced little boy with cat in his arms
oh. | dare say" said Henrietta,
tossing her head. And you're really
determined not to go?n
Yes. quite"
Then perhaps You wouldn't mind
lending me the black lace dress that
You pasted the gold stars on when You
did mean to 70? lind that the lower
iloqnee is completely torn oil ms white
taiIatan and really haven't time to
plan a ne~ costume"
'iou are cutie welcome to it, Hen
rletta. sand Miss Carleton kindly
can put on 4 little cold fringe
ahh maNe 4 very decent Midnight
orr 81 i. sad lietia indi'ferently.
only hate think You are a goose
not 10 60.
Katie ana not argue the question
shr on!N painted quietly on and Hen
'lc,Ia Lac went away
On Mr. MerrIS. said she, RADIANT
~ on ascending the steps Of the pho
iosrapnle salon she met the handsome
young foreman OF the printing office
overhead, We gust come from Kate
af!eton :. And You ought TO see the
ioVeiy dress she mas been preparing
Tor ths masquerade pail!
ildee Evan Merits brow dark
ened slightly. Il thought she had de-
ciuea not to 90.
i don know about that. said Miss
iiehfie'.a aftieSslv. Il only know
tna' she got beauty OF 4 dress
o.ack !ace' an sPEiAiled over with gold
stars
.Ar' McrriS passed on, and Henrietta
entered the salon consralulating her
self on hon,