The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-02-03

becoming style, so as to completely
cover her ears, retained her travelling
dress and came down stairs when the
bell rang for supper.
She was received coldly by Mrs. Fow-
Ter and Seraphina. who regarded her
with evident disdain. Her uncle looked
at her in astonishment. Even he was
surprised at her evident want of taste
and countrifed ways, yet he was kind.
The next day Edith had private in
terview with her uncle and let him into
the secret, asking permission for tho
present to continue the masquerade.
He laughed heartily, for he enjoyed
practical joke.
1T will be good lesson to Seraphina
and her aunt" lie said. I'm really
glad, though, to find you're not quite
such rustic rs you looked"
Confess, uncle, You were u little
ashamed of me" she said archly.
WELL i certainly thought that il yon
were diamond, it was rough one"
said tho nucle.
IF ] could only keep her away from
my party" thought Seraphina few
days later. "She will disgrace us all. "
Edith, said Seraphina, moro gra-
cious than usual, Il am going to have
n party next Wednesday evening""
"Oh, won't that be nice Will you
have ice cream and cake p
Il have been thinking, said Sera-
phina rather swkwardly, that you
wouldn't enjoy it much. You wouldn't
know anybody"
You'll introduce me. won't you,
Seraphiny ?"
81 could, / suppose but the fact is,
Edith, you will feel out of place. OF
course. you shall have all the ice cream
and cake you want will send it up to
your room early in the evening"
But l want to see the fun, Sera-
phiny. never was to city party"
That's the very reason you wouldn't
enjoy it, Edith"
"Oh, yes shall know I shall
wouldn't miss it for IS cents
To Seraphins's great disgust, Edith
was obstinately bent on getting to the
party. She called in her mothers as.
sistance, but in vain.
well, il you are determined to 20. I
will give you one OF my last seasons
dresses to appear in. We are about the
same height"
All right, Seraphiny. You're real
kind"
kind I'd like TO choke her |" said
Seraphina TO herself. What in the
world made pa invite such rustic here
Mt this time. To be sure, she's not bad
looking, if she wouldn't woar her hair
so frightfully. I shall die of mortif-
cation"
When the evening of the party came
Edith refused all assistance and made
her own toilet. She purposely came
down late. As she entered the room
her uncle, with smile, came forward
and led her in, presenting her with
bouquet
When Seraphina caught sight of her
she started in amazement The grub
had become butterfly. She had ar
ranged her hair in the style of the day,
had on tasteful dress of her own, in
stead of appearing in her cousins fin
cry, and wore an air of complete self
possession, as if she felt quite at home.
why, she actually looks respecta-
bic, CALCULATED Seraphina to her
mother. "Who could have dressed
her? But her speech will betray her.
Gracious there is father Introducing
her to the Count DE Graumont" Ia titled
Frenchman, the lion of the EVENING".
What will he think ?"
"Oh, pa!' demonstrated Seraphina,
in great distress, chow could you intro
duce that country gawk to the Count ?
1t will disgrace us in his eyes.
Suppose you draw near and listen
to their conversation, said her father,
quietly.
Seraphina did so, and was struck
dumb with amazement to hear the sup
posed rustic conversing easily with the
Count in his own language.
why, she knows French r. she ejac-
ulated. after pause.
Il believe she does, said Mr.. Fow
ler
There was another surprise.
Later in the evening Edith was led to
the piano by the Count, and her bril-.
liant execution excited enthusiasm.
"Mais, mademoiselle, but you must
sing" said the Count, after rapturorsly
her.
Edith bowed, and in q moment her
pure, sweet voice filed the parlors as
she sang an Italian song.
"Who is that charming singer, Miss
Seraphina ?" asked a gentleman.
1T is my cousin" answered Seru-
phina, in her bewilderment hardly
knowing whether she was awake or
asleep.
Not the cousin you said was so
countrified, surely ?"
"Oh. that was a joke" said Sera.
phina, confused.
What does it all mean, Edith 2"
asked Seraphina, when the COMPANY
had departed.
Edith smiled.
when you were lamenting in tho