The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1893-06-10
CHAPTER XIV. Continued,

CHAPTER XIV. Continued,
The singing continued. 'IIcre'S a
health to all good lasses' in a shrill
treble all out Of place; and a very I'M
certain bass began something about i
bumper toast. The accOmpauist took
her hands of; and the unlucky man was
heard TO roar ont lads and lasSes fill
your glasses before lie could stop his
ponderous voice. Being very. young, his
voice was uncertainty powerful, and
burst out like the notes o. an irregu-
larry blown organ.
Then the door opened, and there was
a hustle of fresh arrivals. Lord and
Lady Armine, and Miss Grethard, their
daughter, and behind them Mr.. and
Miss Loyel.
There was q great coming forward
and shaking of hands, aud offers OF tea,
and then every one subsidized into their
place-the gentlemen with their backs
to the fire for it was September. and
the evenings chill, and the ladies taking
off their gloves and drinking tea.
Dita sat close to Mrs. Arthur tas She
was always called 4 pretty little com
Portable woman. whose great wish was
that every one should lie happy round
her, who thought that her greatest cor
tributiOu toward the entertainment of
her mOthcr-in-i2W' guests, was to take
them up to see her Tour fat children in
Ted. She was very kiud, and in soft,
purring voice put Dita at her ease: for it
is formidable, even to the experienced,
that arrival in hot room at tea time,
when every one is at home and amused,
and the guests come in dazZled from the
darkness outside, and finds it difficult to
recognize friends in the glare of light
and the tea seems QCrnatural!y not:
but Mrs. Arthur'S soft remarks enabled
her to swallow the Tread and butter she
was too shy to refuse.
Sir Edwards eyes, in spite OF himself,
wandered to Miss Lowell: but she sat
with her back to him, and he could only
see large sombrero hat, the shadow of
which hid even her hair. He. was not
acquainted with the Armines, and he
did not think it worth while, after the
first civil rise from his seat on their en-
trance, to move from his comfortable
chair.
Sooner than usual, Mrs. Lee Aston
rose and said in her CHEEKY voice. LAS
dinner is at tonight ! am sure you
will like to 90 up and rest little now;
have ordered the carriages at ., for
Lady Walden is very anxious that her
ball should begin early. Mary my dear,
if YOU are going up stairs, will you show
Miss Lowell her room?"
Perdita followed Mrs. Arthur up
stairs to her comfortable room, where
she found her maid already unpaCKing.
'Do we dress before dinner, or after?"
she asked
ION, as you like; muslin or some
thing Slight for dinner for you young
ladies' for fluffy ball-gowns get 50
crushed | shall dress bctOre;" and the
good little woman trottcd away.
When the gong sounded, Andrew came
for his daughter, as she had made him
promise 10 do, and She followed him shyly
down stairs.
Most of the guests We're assembled,
and Mrs Lee Aston said, that as dinner
was at an irregular time, they would
wait for no one, but they had better 90
IN without ceremony. The result was
little gentle rush, and Pcrdita found her
self taken in by Jack Lee Aston. There
was a vacant seat on the other side, for
one OF the unpUnCtual guests, and this
remained empty till the soup was nearly
over when Sir Edward Norton came in;
he looked hastily round the tablc-thcre
was no escape, and he sat down by her,
and unfolded his napkin.
please 90 on said Dita to her right
handed neighbor, who was telling her
the names Of all the party.
How far did | get? the lady in pink
silk you know, my siSterin-law.'
yes, and then Mr.. Grcyille with the
bass voice, and then Miss Grethard-I
know them, Of course; and then?"
"Those two men are Captain John
! Do 1t,
my brother, Lord Arminc, Major Steele,
a brother officer Of Arthur's and then
my aunt, Miss AShburn."
And next to me" whispered Dita.
Morton. | think You are not &C
quaintcd with Miss Lowell? Sir Edward
Norton-Miss Lowell" said Jack, aloud;
Norton bowed very stillly, and turning
to Miss Ashburn, asked her if she had
been out driving.
Miss Ashburn was very deaf, with one
ear, aud Jack felt himself revenged
when she produced long tube from her
pocket. and thrustng one end into her
ear wh2yc it stuck of itself she presented
the mouth piece to her neighbor.
Jack could not suppress little Giggle
and Dta pursed up her mouth vigor-
ouSly, not to smile.
Sir Edwards question produced long
disconnected answer, and then he set
himself to eating and between dishes to
examining the menu with 50 very decided
an Intention not TO speak, that Perdita
could not but perceive it, though Jack
kept her employed the whole time listen
ing to him
Fortunately for Sir Edward dinner
was hurried over, and the young ladies
went away to dress. The gentlemen
amused themselves by knocking about
the biIliard-t ais in the hall, and the
elder ladies warmed themselves and
crank coffee; little Mrs Arthur stole
away to the nursery.
At nine O'Clock, the carriages were an
nounced and the Young ladies reap
peared, their beauty hidden by cloaks
and shawlS. Mrs. Lee Aston wrapped
ZIP Miss Ashburu first in a Shetland
shawl, then in an Indian chuddar. and
lastly in huge fur tipped, and they
started.
PcrlIta feet were dancing the whole
way, and hnr eyes sParkling no excite
mont IN ner hitherto tranquil life rad
c-:ar oluaieI this Going to her first ball
CNAPTER NNI
That first sound Of music on the stair
ease when Announces that dancing has
t"C#u-what q thrill of excitement it
produces ~ &c hraI5 OF the young de-