The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-29
CHAPTER III.

OF wardrobss uponsthe OCCASION. FOR
week preceding the event the stores
were besieged, and many were the yards
of lace and ribbon that were carried
away in triumph.
To Miss Jones, the millincr, 1t was
season Of unusual profit. Indeed she
had never known greater demand for
the various articles of female adorn-
ment, and her two assistants were bust
ly engaged from "morn till dewy eve"
In cutting and trimming and altering
silks, satins and muslins which had been
lying carefully enveloped in pillowcases
for years in dark closet drawers, which
were strewn with bits Of gum camphor
or chips of red cedar, sure preventives
against the ravages Of moths and other
destructive annoyers. AT the judges no
one was idle, and the occasion was one
which called forth an exhibition OF
Kate's domestic accomplishments. The
great parlors had been thoroughly over
hauled. the carpets removed TO admit OK
dancing, and the old fashioned dining
ball he'd been carefully cleansed and
very tastefully decorated with ever
greens, among which were arranged
numerous candles aud lamps. The busy
notes of preparation were heard from
the rising of the sun even unto the going
down of the same. and when they were
at last all completed the whole house
never looked more cheerful or inviting
in its interior appearance.
The expected night at last arrived.
The halls were brilliantly lighted, and
up the broad oaken stairway guest after
guest passed to the dressing rooms.
Kate, arranged in dress OF simple white
and with no other ornament than sim
pie white rose in her glossy hair, stood
at the head of the long paIlor, leaning
upon the arm of her father and receiv-
ing her guests with the grace Of queen.
Never had she looked more charming,
and there was silent yet unmistakable
feeling of admiration plainly percepti-
BILE upon the countenances of those who
had the pleasure Of any conversation
with her. She was the acknowledged
belle of the evening and the cynosure OF
all eyes.
AT q late hour the doors Of the supper
room were thrown open, and the gay
company proceeded thither to discuss
the merits of Kate's housewifery. Many
were the compliments she received, and
many the ordinations of delight ut the
appearance OF the table, which groaned
beneath its load of delicacies. Angus
tus was appointed by Kate to aid her in
doing the honors of the supper room and
to make himself generally useful in see
ing that no one was overlooked. After
the guests had done ample justice to its
merits and the doors were again closed
Kate took Augustus arm and returned
to the supper table to partake OF some
refreshment herself, having been too
busily engaged in her duties as hostess
10 think of self before. Now was the
long looked for opportunity, and Angus
tus at once embraced il TO declare the
ardor of his passion and offered his hand,
his heart-in short, all that Dame Ma
| ture and his tailor had produced under
| thepame and title of Augustus Fitz Clar-
| ence Boobie.
Kate directed her glances to the floor
and for moment hesitated to reply, but
at last. .summoning all her resolution, she
referred him to her father, saying that
il he was not opposed to it she would
accept him.
So intent was Augustus upon the con-
summation of his hopes that, not able to
restrain his impatience until the close
of the evening, he hastened at once to
her father and requested his presence
for moment in the library. The judge
followed him thither and closed the door
behind them. Augustus, with the air
of one who was rather comforting than
soliciting a favor, informed the judge
that the attractions of his daughter had
made more than ordinary impressions
upon his heart, and that he had accord
ingly addressed her upon the subject.
She had, he said, considered it in a "a
vorable light, but referred him to heI
father before giving decisive answer
TO his proposal. He had therefore the
honor of announcing himself as a candi
date for her hand and fattered himself
that he should meet with no opposition
whatever from the Judge.
The latter had anticipated this piece
of information, but was not quite pre-
pared tor the pompous manner in which
Il was delivered. However, he soon re-
covered his equanimity and gave ouI
hero to understand that he must decline
the honor with which Augustus was
about to invest him. Moreover, h'
would suggest that his visits at the
house should from that time be discon
linued He acknowledged that he hac
previously shown him more or less civil
tiles, but further than as a guset h'
had not regarded him and therefore
looked upon his proposal as but pool
return for those civilities, especially Sc
as he had made it without first consult
ing him. Augustus expostulated, but II
vain. The Judge was inexorable ant
would listen to no further argument
upon the subject. Finding, therefore
that his attempts were unavailing ant
only served to exasperate the judge, wh'
put on a most fierce frown and spok'
very tragically, Augustus returned e
the drawing room In search of X ate (,