The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1892-05-26
HER MISTAKE.

real buds and leaves.
Bess was very pretty too-one of those
warm complexioned blonds, with reddish
hazel eyes, hair lighted up with chestnut
CLEANS and pearly teeth--who reminded
one of Titian's studies and old Peter Paul
Rubens in his happiest moods.
"Oh, Bessp cried Honora, edo wear
your hair in low coil at the nape Of your
neck, with just a few cunning little rings
escaping"
Nonsense" said Eudora. "Do il in a
fluffy mass mt the top of your herd, with
an amber dagger or a rope Of Roman
pearls. The Greek knot is all out Of date"
"Will you hold your tongues, both of
you" sharply demanded Bess stamping
her foot. "Oh dear, how nervous feel.
Madeline, DEAR if the first evening we
have ever given should prove failure L
/ shall commit suicide"
1T won't prove n failure" said Made
line, the eldest sister of all.
Madeline herself was hopelessly plain.
The hair that in Bess' case was Titan gold
was in hers dull orange red. Her weak,
pale eyes were red lidded and slightly
crooked; her nose long and sharp.
But nevertheless, Madeline was genius
in her way. Old Judge Barchester never
could have tided over the rough sea Of
creditors, privations and trials that beset
him had it not been for her help.
Don't fret, papa, said the pale eyed dip.
lomat THAT idea Of yours Of giving up
this very handsome house is all nonsense.
Who cares what the landlord saysf Let
him wait for his rent. 1t won't hurt him
If he never gets it, Let the tradespeople
rage; they are simply lot of. sharks.
Here's Bess, first class beauty, and if she
has a fair chance she's sure to make the
family fortunes. But what can any of us
do with a cheap fiat and cold mutton for
dinnerY One must have opportunities.
Just let Bess and me alone and you shall
see what we can do"
Judge Barchester, always willing Ia
leave the problems of life for some one else
to solve, flung the pile Of dunning letters
into the fire, and buttoning a costly fur
trimmed overcoat around his portly form
took refuge in the aristocratic halls of the
club, while Madeline, like q faded eyed
bird of prey huttered forth among the
milliners, dressmakers and modistes for
the benefit of Bess, the debutante.
Everything is arranged" said she com.
posedly. II ordered the supper from Van
esse. had to pay something on our back
Indebtedness, but took care it should be
as little as possible. Steiner sends in the
flowers. We've never ordered flowers there
before, and the poor fools are anxious to
secure our custom. Mr.. Bapper, the funny
man is to recite; Mrs. Vivyan engaged him
for me. And Miss Dale will sing a Scotch
ballad. There are plenty Of nicer people
than Bapper and Monica Dale, but every
one else wants to be paid in advance"
Bess colored.
"Oh, but we will pay them, Madeline,
when we're ablep said she I'VE don't
mean to cheat them"
Madeline laughed
Don't be silly, Bessl' she said. every
one in the world is more or less engaged in
cheating everybody else"
But Madeline" burst In a shrill, small
voice.
Madeline Barchester uttered an exclama-
tion Of annoyance.
you here, Moral" said she. Listening
and prying as usual. Leave the room at
once-and Dora too"
"But we want to see Bess' new gloves
and fam" pleaded the two tall schoolgirls.
well you can't, then"
Without any ceremony Madeline pushed
Honora and Eudora from the room.
"Horrid little nuisancesw said she.
But here's letter, Bess, that / didn't
show you"
Another tormenting creditor?"
"Worse than that. It's from Uncle Zab.
diel Cooper down Mt the Blackford farm,
where you staid that summer you had the
whooping cough. Don't you rememberY'
Bess' eyes softened. A precious dimple
came out at the corner of her mouth.
"What," she cried; dear old Uncle
Zab?"
VERY dear" observed Madeline con,
temptuously, "and very delightful Just
the person to make a sensation at your at
home under Mrs Fitzalan's eye and raked
by the fire of Mrs. Aubrey Rockingham's
lorgnette! With his cowhide boots and
pepper and salt trousers, and his fringe OF
thin whiskers, and that chronic catarrh OF
hisl My dear Bess, if we allow that old
nuisance TO cross this threshold on Tues
day evening it amounts to THROWN up the
rame at once. He's written that he's com
ing on that evening"
Bess grew pale.
"Oh, Madeline, what are we to doF"
Madeline laughed.
I've managed it," said she. "Tve writ,
ten back to him that we've moved to Il
Currant court. Pve told Cousin Lucy
Ransom to make the best of the situation
She can personate you if she chooses-she
always had turn for private theatricals-
Or she can convince the dear old bunglei
that he has made some mistake Anyhow
he'll be safe until Wednesday morning
and we are safe tool"
Madeline, what contrivsr you arep
said Bess. But / do feel sorry for Uncle
Zabl"
Madeline shrugged her shoulders.
tits poor policy to feel sorry for any
one" she observed. "And what does M
old lout like that know or care whethe
he's snubbed or not, BessY"
Bess' heart pricked her a little, but sh
was an apt pupil in the cold philosophy o
her elder sister, and the arrival at that mo
ment Of box of marron glaces for the sup
per table diverted her attention from tn
topic under discussion.
At Il Currant court, however, the Widow
Ransom was furious.
depend upon it, Lucy" said she to he
daughter, who did plain sewing for live
lihoOd, this IS one Of Madeline Barches
ter's sly, underhand tricks, and I've moth
ing to do with it. You personate Bess Bar
chester indeed You're about as mucl
like her as a pumpkin is like parsnip.
Bess is ashamed Of her slations let he
say so candidly."
But, mother" pleaded meek Lucy
"what can we dor Madeline has got
good deal of work for me among her grant
friends"---
"All that don't make it your'duty to tel
a lie, nor TO act it, neither, to suit he
whims," said the old lady.
"And they're to have a great party ol
Tuesday evening, you know"
"Well, suppose they areP Didn't Bes
and Madeline and the two girls spend al
the summer at Blackford farm three yeaI