St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1893-01-14


pranos from the top Of . desk. Nine
Morinis young ladies were enjoyina
their noon recess ON this bright, gilt
tering February day. and every one
knows what . noise twenty schoolgirl.
can make If they choose.
"A masquerade!'' said Marian Hamp
shire. ''How delightfulr'
Can we select any dress we please?'
said beautiful Miriam Holley.
''WOuld it DO scion Les regles to 60 with
out any especial dress. IL one has q
fresh white muslin?" timidly asked
Alice Appleton, whose mother waa
poor, and who earned her own board
and tuition by giving lessons TO the
smaller girls.
will madame CONSENT" breathlessly
questioned Louise Hayward.
Madame will consent to anything
that Nell Evans chooses to ask" tri-
umphantly announced Ida Cotton.
Nell was one Of madamc's graduates,
you know, and pattern damsel in all
respects. And il Nell were to request
that we should all attend the masquer.
ade costumed in pink tinsel, and walk.
ing on our heads. madame would say:
Quite right my dear. . very sensible
idea Of yours. shall be delighted to
have my young ladies co."
There was q general laugh ct this,
and then commenced the joyful tasks
Of selecting personalities. studying up
the costumes in old engravings and
antique fashion plates, and turning
over the combi ned stores of tho whole
school in sash ribbons. artificial
flowers, jewels and plumeA For al
though the graduating class. which
alone was invited. consisted Of only
eight young ladies. the interest con-
corning Miss Evans masquerade party
was disseminated through the whole
school in no measured degree.
And Alice Appleton's gentle heart in
particular beat with innocent anticipa-
tion. for she had sometimes fancicd
that Capt Hugo Evans, the brother of
the pretty hostess. had looked upon her
with a tenderer glance than he vouch-
safed to the other young ladies of his
acquaintance. To be sure she had no
party dress, but the individuality suR.
gested by Marian Holley, "A Snow
fake" would be sufficiently inter-
preted by her simple muslin gown.
with . few starry white flowers Of the
Catalonian jasmine in her hair.
''But you're not going to let those
girls go alone" said Miss Polly Prout,
who was Nine. Morinis cousin. house.
keeper and chief counsellor.
''Certa My I am" said Nine. M0rini
"Why should not? 1t is only to dear
Nelrs house."
1T wouldn't be at all proper" said
Miss Polly, pursuing up her thin lips,
and the hearts of the eight young girls
sank simultaneously into their boots.
''Such q party Of giddy girls with no
companions! Nine. Morini.
l wonder at you! It would not be al
unless, indeed.
"Unless what?' said Mime. Morini,
and the eight lassies listened breath
lessly for Miss Polly Prout's reply.
unless / am to 60. too. rs their
said Miss Polly.
'Oh, that wouldn't be according to
etiquette!" cried the girls in chorus
''Nell didn't invite Miss Polly Prout"
'Wiu you be silent. young ladies?"
said Miss Polly. rapping on the desk
with wooden ruler, in . sort Of auto.
cratic way of hers which the girls es-
pecially disliked. mime. Morini Ger.
tainly cannot have given the matter
doe consideration, or else she would at
Dnce perceive the improperly of the
original plsn!'
And Mime. Morini who was an anna
bic. easy-going lady, governed in most |
matters by her cousins energetic will.
finally gave way and announced her