The Press., 1892-03-24

teenth, and was fitting in and out of rooms, arranging the flowers in vases and doing many things that cannot well be left to servants. saw the company all go to walk, and watched Miss Ogden maneuver to get Ernest by her side. 'sNever mind." said to myself, ''my last card will be played tonight, and if fail l will stay with mother; but oh! cannot bear to think of life without him. wish Miss Ogden had remained in New York. With all her beaux what does she want with mine? But is he miner >
 'tMiss Annie. the trunk is in the wing room"
 "very we'll Annette See that the room is locked, and do not allow any one to enter it.''
 We had an early dinner, as we wished to take a beauty nap before the ball At least the others did. was much too excited to go to sleep at that hour. When night came T. went to a guest chamber at the end of the house, so as to be as far as possible from the girls. Here had ordered fire to be made and lamps taken. When 1 opened the door the room was very bright. The large wood fire crackled and spark1ed. and Annette, my maid, was admiring: the the clothes she had just spread out upon the bed
 After my bath donned my wrapper and seated myself before the cheval glass to have my hair arranged as in the picture It was some time before it could be satisfactorily accomplished.
 At last she said. ''Lor! Miss. Annie, you sl1eer me, you do look so like the one down stairsr'
 Then followed the putting on of the dainty slippers that were a little too large), the two silken petticoats, very narrow, soft and clinging, and then the quaintest of gowns, of rich crimson and gold brocade. There were only two widths in the skirts, and the body was so short and low it looked like baby's. dress. Annette's expression was funny when put it on, but 1 hastened to tell her the lace kerchief would serve as high body. We piled it fold upon fold, leaving the neck exposed in front.
 "Now, she said, "when you put on that shiny band we will tuck these ends in" '.' i
 The shiny band. being my girdle clasped it around my waist. I wore very long earrings of fligree work.
 "Miss Annie," said Annette, in the most pleading tones, ''you must let me give you little color, just little, for Miss Ogden does have such rosy cheeks" I Why" said 1, ''should l care for color tonight, am always, pale until I become excited. No, indeed" :" contin- ued, ''take your little rag away. do not want it. Where did you get it anyhow?
 "Lor" she said, ''Miss Ogden. throws them away. Please don't get mad, Miss Anpie; just want you to look as pretty as you can. Here is your fam
 She handed me curiously carved one of scented rosewood. 1 stood a few min utes before the long Airror, and knew for that night at least might be called beautiful. My eyes sparkled, and had the consciousness of being becomingly dressed, which gave me self possession. Laugh as they might at the oddity of it, it was a thousand times better than the old white cashmere. 1 was aroused from my reflections by hearing Annette ex- claim:
 "My!. won't Miss Ogden be jealous, Miss Annie; you looks like an angel. She has a mighty fine frock, but you'll beat her tonight" ,. .,. .s,:.
 "Hushs'l said in my most virtuous tones, 'you must not say that F..
 1 left her muttering. "She be so proud, but she will be beaten tonight, sure.'
 Going to my mothers room, 1 cautious ly opened the door. Seeing her start, ! quickly said: zz.~=. 5.s l.TR ---i1 ' z
 ''It is only l. Am not beautiful?"
 She smiled and said, 'sYou certainly are vain.'' ..
 'sNot at alI," answered., II know fine feathers make fine birds,' and it is all owing to ely dress, and my hair air ranged up high" She kissed me fondly and said. ''Very beautiful, my daughter, and may it bring you good luck"
 knew then she had guessed my secret. Going into the girls rooms T created quite a sensation, They overwhelmed Ogden, who said, ''Yes, it seems to suit you, but how oddr' -y:
 The guests began to come and has tened to meet them. 1 must confess l felt very foolish and nervous. At the foot of the stairs stood MT. McAIlister with his back to me. I ran quickly down, and facing him said, "From the past l salute you," lowing low.
 In a bewildered way he gazed at me-
 "Is it you, in flesh and blood?'
 "It is, indeed" l replied, the blood mantling my checks "...... 1 Placing my arm in his. he led me to the room where hung the portrait. From one to the other he looked and then exclaimed, '"The very imager'
 Laughing, ran away to welcome my guests. A little bird sang in my heart, for had he not said he ''ceuld worship such looking woman" al1d&sI was the very image?"
 l was the belle of the ball. Miss Og- den was gorgeously attired, but looked less handsome than usual. l. think she tried too hard to outshine us all. and she was angry with me for looking we'll Ernest sought me very often. Toward midnight we went into the conservatory and from there out into the moonlight. "1 am going home tomorrow, he said, twill you be sorry?"
 "Why, MT. McAllister," 1 answered, 'swhat a foolish question: Of course l l will"
 Saying this turned my head, and the long eardrop caught in the lace kerchief. Fearing to tear it tried to unhcok the ring, but in vain.
 "What shall do?' said in veSation "Will you let me try?' he asked
 ''I suppose l .must,' ngraciously re- piled.
 So, bunglingly, he began to pull the drop, and only made it worse. His face was dangerously near mine, when sud denly he raised his head and said. gazing into my eyes:
 "Annie, 1 cannot do it; let me unclasp the ring But instead of unclasping it he whispered in my ear, Darling, love you; will you be my wife?'