Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-05-27

THE BLACK LACE DRESS.

"And you're not going to the dance
after all, Katie Carleton 2"
Henrietta Lacy was sitting 10 tn
modest little third-story Darkroom
which was all the home that Kat,
Carleton had; a square room, with on,
bulging window, looking out upon tn,
roof, and the walls covered with 1
coarse, zigzag pattern of crimson on
pea-green ground, while the carpet, wei
worn in spots and carefully darned, wa,
of nondescript color and design-great
sprawling leaves and scrolls bursting
out in tangled complexity which would
have made designers head swim.
But Katie Carleton, humble little
photograph-colorer though she was. was
young and pretty, with yellow hair wav.
ing away from her low, square forehead,
arched brews, and deep hazel eyes
while the confinement and monotony oil
city life had not yet stolen all tho fresh
roses from her cheeks.
For Katie Carleton, like many au.
other, had left u comfortable, if not 1
luxurious, farmhouse home, with the
idea that fortunes were to be picked "
in the city as readily as blaokberrics OF
a sunny stone wall Poor girl Sh,
found out her mistake soon enough, ye
she had too much pride to return, 3
useless burden to the honest old uncle
and his six daughters, who made chsessi
and raised poultry in the venerable pre-
cincts of Elderberry Farm. Nobod,
wanted governess her little poem,
were returned. labeled Respectfully
declined" from the newspaper Offices
and the water-celored draw ings, where
by she had expected to take the artistic
world by storm, hung in the circulating
library window until Their margins were
smoke-blackened and their bright color,
hopelessly FINISHED, without anyone
ever taking the trouble to ask the price
And at last, just as Katie was begin.
ming to wonder whether death by starva
ton was really such painful end, some
kindly soul told her Of chance TO gel
employment frsm great photograph
establishment in the Bowery.
Hetta Lacy was employed there, too
rot exactly in Katie's humble capacity
but as the smart young lady who 70.
ceived the customers. helped them with
their bonnots and wraps, and answered
general questions. She considered il
quite condoscension on her part to pat
ronize Katie and she had too few friend,
to be specially particular about thsil
quality. And now, as Miss Lacy sal
opposite her, in a lilac poplin dress. ant
with an artificial bird in her hat, on'
could but think of paroquet that had
somehow huttered down into q dove
cote.
"No," said Katie, II am not going.
81 know Why" said Henrietta, spite
i-!ly. ats because Evan Merris doebn
approve of fancy balls"
"Mr. Merris ought to be better
Judge of what is and what is not proper
than a mere country girl like mo" said
Katie, mixing little more ultramarine
blue for the sash Of a pudding-face boy
with n cat in his arms
"Oh. | dare say" said Henrietta
tossing her head. "And you are really
determined not to 60"
eyes, quito"
Then perhaps you wouldn't minC
lending me the black lace dress you
pasted the gold stars on when you did
mean to 60 find that tho lower aouncG
is completely torn of my white tarlatan
and really haven't time 10 plan any
new costumes"
"You are quite welcome to il. Hen
ristta," said Miss Carleton, kindly.
81 can put on little gold fringe aud
make a very decent Midnight out OIL
it" said Hetta, indifIsrently. "Only,
Katie, | think you are goose not u
go"
Katie did not argue the question
she only painted quietly on and Hen
ristta Lacy went.
ooh, Mr.. Merris !" said she, radiant
ly, as, on ascending the steps Of th'
Photographic saloon, she met the hand
some young foreman of the printing
Office overhead. ave just come from
Katie Cartoons. And you ought u
SEQ the lovely dress she has been pre-
pairing for the masquerade ball -
"Indecd ~ Evan Merits brow dark
cned slightly. II thought she bad dc
cidsd not to 60"
II don't know about that" said Mis-
Henrietta artlessly; | only know tina
she's got a beauty Of II dress. black lac
all sprinkled over with gold stars !"
Mr.. Merris passed on, and IIenriett
entered the saloon, congratulating her
self on her fnessc.
"Tvs put spoke in hor wheel,
guess" said the young damsel 10 her
self; land serve her right for gettin
Evan Merris away from me, that ha
known him years before she ever Shove
hor pink and-wbte baby-face here. -
Aud | didn't tell anything but the truth
either. did see the dress there, an
she has been making il -