The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-04-13
A MASQUERADE FROLIC.

fun" said Ida Cotton. Nell Evans
has invited us all to Evansdale to a
masquerade party and you're to select
your costumes at once"
There was a universal outcry of JOY
at this pronunciamento, which was
shouted in the sweetest Of silverv So
pranos from the top of : desk. Nine.
Morini's young ladies were enjoying
their noon recess on this bright, Gilt
tering February day and every one
knows what a noise twenty schoolgirls
can make if they choose.
A masquerade" said Marian Hamr-
shire. How delightful!'
Can we select any dress we please?"
said beautiful Marian Holley.
Would it be scion les re9les to 90
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 tuition by giving lessons to the
smaller girls.
"Will madame CONSENT" breathless-
" questioned Louise Hayward.
Madame will consent to anything
that Nell Evans chooses to ask" tri-
umphantly announced Ida Cotton.
Nell was one of madame's graduates.
you know, and pattern damsel in all
respects. And if Nell were to request
that we should all attend the masQue-
rade costumed III 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 60"
There was a general laugh at this,
and then commenced the joyful tasks
OF selecting personalities. studying up
costumes in old engravings and an
tique fashion plates and turning over
the combined stores of the whole
school in sash ribbons, artificial flow
ers, Jewels and plumes. For although
the graduating class, which alone was
invited, consisted of only eight young
ladies, the interest concerning Miss
Evans masquerade party was dissem-
in&tGd through the whole school in no
measured degree.
And Alice Appleton's gentle heart
in particular beat with innocent an
ticipation, for she had sometimes fam
cied that Capt. Hugo Evans, the
brother of the pretty hostess, had
looked upon her with a tenderer
glance than he vouchsafed to the other
Young ladies OF his acquaintance. To
be sure she had no party dress, but
the individuality suggested by Marian
Holley, "a snowflake would be suffi-
ciently interpreted by her simple mus
lin gown. with a few starry, white
flowers of the Catalonian jasmine in
her hair.
But you're not going to let those
girls 90 alone" said Miss Polly Prout,
who was Mime. Morini's cousin, house
keeper and chief counselor.
Certainly am" said Nine. Morini.
why should not. 1t is only to dear
NelIs house"
- wouldn't be a, all proper" said
Miss Polly, pursuing up her thin lips,
and the hearts of the eight young girls
sunk simultaneously into their boots.
such a party of gidly girls with no
responsible companionsi Nine. Mori-
nj. | wonder at you! 1t would not be
allowable unless. indeed"
Unless what?" said Nine. Morini,
and the eight lassies listened breath
/ lesslv for Miss Polly Prout's reply.
Unless l am TO 90. too, rs their
I chapcron,' said Miss Polly.
oh. that wouldusi be according &c
/ etiquette" cried the girls in chorus.
Nell didn't invite Miss Polly Prout-"
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 Mi
nerva," said Miss Polly Prout, land
then | can keep my eyes on the young
ladies the whole time"
"What have we done that spy
should be set upon our actions?" said
IIo Cotton, indirnantlv, when the,
were by themselves.
Hateful forward thing!" sputteret
Louise Hayward. why, she'll spoi
every bit of our fur, :"
How dare she obtrude herself, un
invited. upon poor Nell Evans?" sale
Marian Holley.
"She shan't come" said laughing
Kate KELSEY. "She shall never eros
( Nells thvesholdI"
"But how will you prevent it?" saiC
Alice Appleton.
Wen see," was kate's enigmatit
answer.
The next week was week of glaC
preparation for the forthcoming even
and no one was more difficult to please
or more exacting in her selection o
materials aud her ceaseless calls upol
the aid of the young ladies than Mis-
Polly Prout. who ordereda a new "bang
of glossy chestnut hair for the occa
sion, which would have been quite per
) feet if it had matched her back braid
, a little more exactly, and had pair 0
green satin sandals made by the yiilag