The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-03-17
THE MASQUERADE.

4
said Ida Cotton. Nell Evans has in.
vited us all to Evansdale to masquer-
ade party-and you're to select your
costumes at once!
There was universal outcry of Joy
at this pronunciamento, which was
shouted in the sweetest of silvery So
pranos from the top of desk. Nine.
Morini's young ladies were enjoying
their noon recess on this bright, glitter
ing February day, and every one knows
what noise twenty schoolgirls can
make if they choose.
"A masquerade" said Marian Hamp-
shire. How delightful"
Can we select any dress we please?"
said beautiful Miriam Holley.
! Would it be scion les regles to go
without any especial dress, if one has /.
fresh white muslin?' timidly asked
Alice Appleton, whose mother was poor,
: and who earned her own board and tut
tion by giving lessons to the smaller
girls.
"Will madam consent?" breathlessly
questioned Louise Hayward.
Madam will consent to anything
| that Nell Evans chooses to ask, trium-
phantly remarked Ida Cotton. Nell
was one of madam's graduates, you
know, and pattern damsel in all
| respects. And if Nell were to request
that we should all attend her masquer-
ade costumed in pink tinsel, and walk.
ing on our heads, madam would say,
Quite right, my dear. a very sensible
idea of yours. I shall be delighted to
have my young ladies co."
There was general laugh at this,
and then commenced the joyful task
of selecting personalities. studying
| up the costumes in old engravings aud
antique fashion plates, and turning
over the combined stores of the
whole school in sash ribbons, artifi-
cial flowers, jewels and plumes.
For although the graduating class,
which alone was invited, consisted
Of only eight young ladies, the
interest concerning Miss Evans's
masquerade party was disseminated
through the whole school in no meas
ured degree. And Alice Appleton's
gentle heart in particular beat with in
nocent anticipation, for she had some
times fancied that Captain Hugo Evans,
the brother of the pretty hostess, had
looked upon her with tenderer glance
than he vouchsafsd to the other young
ladies of his acquaintance. To be sure
she had no party dress, but the in
dividuality suggested by Miriam Hol-
ley, "A flake" would he suf-
ticiently interpreted by her simple
muslin gown, with few of the 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. Morini's cousin, house
keeper, and chief counsellor.
Certainly l am, said Mme Morini.
why should I not ? It is only to dear
NelPs house"
1T wouldn't be at all proper" said
Miss Polly, pursuing up her thin lips,
and the hearts of the eight young girls
sunk simultaneously into their boots.
Such party of giddy girls with no
responsible companions Mime. Mo.
rini, wonder at you 1t would not
be allowable, unless. indeed
Unless what ?" said Nine. Morini,
and the eight lassies listened breath.
lessly for Miss Polly Prout's reply.
Unless I am to go, too, as their
chaperone T. said Miss Polly.
oh. that wouldn't be according to
etiquette!'' cried the girls, in chorus.
Nell didn't invite Miss Polly Prout."
will you be silent, young ladies ?"
said Miss Polly, rapping on the desk
with wooden ruler, in q sort of auto
cratic way of hers which the girls Is.
pecially disliked. Mime. Morini GER
tainly can not have given the matter
due consideration, or else she would at
once perceive the impropriety of the
original plan +
And Nine Morini, who was an ami
able, easy going lady, governed in most
matters by her cousins energetic will,
finally gave way, and announced her
conviction that Miss Polly Prout was
right.
Il can put on my green gown and
tinfoil- covered helmet. and go as Miner
va, said Miss Polly Prout ''and then
| can keep my eyes on the young ladies
the whole time"
"What have we done that a spy
should be set upon our actions ?" said
Ida Cotton, indignantly, when they
were by themselves.
Minerva, indeed 7" cried Marian
Hampshire, with protrusion of her
p-nmp chin and screwing of her cherry
mouth SO exactly in imitation of Miss
Polly Prout that all the girls burst at
once into a spasmodic giggle.
Hateful, forward thing p sputtered
Louise Hayward. "Why, she'll spoil
every bit of eur fun p
"How dare she obtrude herself, un-
invited, upon poor Nell Evans ?" asked
Miriam Holley
She sha'n't come" said laughing
Kate Kesley. ''She shall never cross
Nell's threshold p
"But how will you help it ?" said
Alice Appleton.
We'll see" was Kate's enigmatic
answer.
The next week was week of glad
preDaration for the coming event and