Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-05-27
THE MASQUERADE.

.
said Ida Cotton. Nell Evans has in
vited us all to Evansdale to a 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 silyery So
pranos from the top of a 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 IL
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.
"Wil! 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 q 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. very sensible
idea of yours. shall be delighted to
have my young ladies co."
There was a general laugh at this,
and then commenced the joyful task
of selecting personalities, studying
up the costumes in old engravings and
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 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 vouchsafed 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 Snowflake" would be suf-
ficiently 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 am" said Nine. Morini.
why should 1 not 1t is only to dear
Nell's house."
1T wouldn't be at all proper, said
Miss Polly, pursing 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 Nine. Mo-
RIM, L wonder at you 1t would not
be allowable, unless, indeed-'
Unless what ?" said Nine. Morin;,
and the eight lassies listened breath
lessly for Miss Polly Prout's reply.
Unless I am to go, too, as their
chaperone !" said Miss Polly.
"Oh, that wouldn't be according tc
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 sort of auto
cratic way of hers which the girls es.
pecially disliked. Nine. Morini GER
tainly can not have given the matter
due consideration, or else she would at
once perceive the impropriety of tho
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 a
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 p said
Ida Cotton, Indignantly, when they
were by themselves.
Minerva, indeed |" cried Marian
Hampshire, with a protrusion of her
plump chin and screwing of her cherry
mouth so exactly in imitation of Miss
Polly Prout that all the girls burst at
once into spasmodic giggle.
Hateful, forward thing p' sputtered
Louise Hayward. "Why, she'll spoil
every bit of our fun r'
"How dare she obtrude herself, IN
invited, upon poor Nell Evans ?" asked
Miriam Holley.
"She sha'n't come" said laughing
Kate Kesley. 'She shall mover cross
Nells threshold r'
"But how will you help it ?" said
Alice Appleton.
We'll see!' was Kate's enigmaiic
answer.
The next week was weok of aIal
preparation for the coming event, aud
no one was more difficult to please, or
more sxacting in her selection of mater
ials, and her ceaseless calls upon the
aid of the young ladies, than Miss Polly
Prout, who ordered o new bang" of
glossy chestnut hair for the occasion,
which would have been quite perfect if
it had matched her black braids little