San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-04-05

all 90 to walk, and watched MIS- ogden
maneuver to get Ernest by her side
s'Never mind" / said to myself, ''my
last card win be played tonight, and if I
fail 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 mine:"
"Miss Annie, the trunk is in the wing
room"
every well, 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 beauty nap before the ball.
At least the others did. / was much too
excited to go to sleep at that hour.
When night came | 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 opened the door
the room was very bright. The large
wood fire cracked and sparkled, 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. 1t was some time before it
could be satisfactorily accomplished.
At last she said, "Lor! Miss Annie,
you skeer me, you do look so like the
one down stairsp
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 babys
dress. Annette's expression was funny
when put it on, but l fastened to tell
her the lace kerchief would serve as
a high body. We piled it fold upon
fold, leaving the neck exposed in front.
Snow, she said, "when you put on
that shiny band we will tuck these ends
in"
The shiny band being my girdle ]
clasped it around my waist. l wore very
long earrings of filigree 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. ("
why" said l, 'should l care for a
color tonight, am always pale until
become excited. No, indeed" contin-
ued, stake your little rag away. lido not
want it. Where did you get it anyhow
'Lor!' she said, miss Ogden throws
them away. Please don't get mad, Miss
Annie; 1 just want You to look as pretty
as you can. Here is your fan"
She handed me a curiously carved one
of scented rosewood. | stood few min
utes before the long mirror, and knew
for that night at least l might be called
beautiful. Ny 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 thousand times better than the
old white cashmere. 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 mighty fine frock, but you'll beat
her tonight"
"Hush!' l said in my most virtuous
tones, "you must not say that"
left her muttering ''She be so proud,
but she will be beaten tonight, sure"
Going to my mothers room, cautious
ly opened the door. Seeing her start, |
quickly said:
1T is only l. Am l not beautiful"
She smiled and said, You certainly
are vain"
''Not at ALL" 1 answered. 81 know
fine feathers make fine birds, and 1t IS
all owing to my dress, and my hair ar
ranged up high"
She kissed me fondly and said, every
beautiful, my daughter, and may it bring
you good luck"
knew then she had guessed my secret.
Going into the girls rooms ! created
quite a sensation. They overwhelmed
me with compliments, all except Miss
Ogden, who said, Eyes, it seems to suit
you, but how odd''
The guests began to come and I has
tened to meet them. l must confess l
felt very foolish and nervous. At the
foot of the stairs stood Mr.. McAlliSter,
with his back to me. l ran quickly
down, and facing him said, "From the
past salute you," bowling low.
In bewildered way he gazed at me.
SIS it you, in flesh and bloods'
at is, indeed" l replied, the blood