The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-04-12
A MASQUERADE ERQLIC,

A MASQUERADE fRULlC,
"Girls, we're going to have sucl
fun," said Ida Cotton. "Nell Evan!
has invited US all to Evansdale to 6
masquerade 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, gilt
tering February day and every one
knows what noise twenty schoolgirls
can make if they cho ose.
ga masquerade" said Marian Hamp.
shire. "How delightfulp
"Can we select any dress we pleaseP"
said beautiful Marian Holley.
would it be scion les regles to &c
without any especial dress if one has q
fresh white muslinp" 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 consentP" breathless-
ly 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 oostumed in pink tinsel andiwalk-
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 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-
mated through the whole school in no
measured degree.
And Alice Appleton's gentle heart
in particular beat with innocent an
AO1 SAO AdO bO1uOGlA6S 4au-
cied that Capt. 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 individuality suggested by Marian
Holley, "a snowflake" would be sufi-
GENTLY 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 go alone" said Miss Polly Prout
who was Nine. Morini's cousin, house
keeper and chief counselor.
Certainly am," said Nine. Morini.
@Why should I not 1t is only to dear
Nell's house."
at 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 a party of giddy girls with no
responsible companions! Mime. Mori-
nj, 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 l am to go, too, as their
chaperon!' said Miss Polly.
"Oh, that wouldn't be according to
etiquette" cried the girls in chorus.
Nell didn't invite Miss Polly Prout. u
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.
81 can put on my green gown and a
tinfoil-covered helmet, and go as Mi
nerva," 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 actionsP" said
Ida Cotton, Indignantly, when they
were by themselves.
"Hateful, forward thing!" sputtered
Louise Hayward. "Why, she'll spoil
every bit of our fun!'
How dare she obtrude herself, un-
invited. upon poor Nell Evans?" said
Marian Holley.
"She shan't come" said laughing
Kate Kelsey. "She shall never cross
Nell's Threshold"
"But how will you prevent it?" said
Alice Appleton.
"We1l see," was Kate's enigmatie
answer.
The next week was week of glad
preparation for the forthcoming event
and no one was more difficult to please
or more exaeting in her selection Of
materials and her ceaseless calls upon
the aid of the young ladies than Miss
Polly Prout, who ordereda new "bang'
of glossy chestnut hair for the occa
sion, which would have been quite per-
feet if it had matched her back braids
little more exactly, and had pair o1
green satin sandals made by the village
shoemaker, and mosquito pole gilded
to represent a spear by the picture
frame dealer.
zone likes to observe all the nice
ties," said Miss Polly, while in hel
middle-aged mind arose up the de.
lusive idea that perhaps some mature
masquerader of the opposite sex might
perceive in her some greater attrac-
ton than the youthful roses and
girlish graces of the eight graduating
girls.
"Stranger things have happened,
complacently thought Miss Polly, as
she stitched away at the satin rosettes
which were to modernize her greer
gown.
But in spite of all her precautions
the first sleighload of laughing girls