The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-02-10
MY RED LETTER DAY.

PttIb VI JUNE. Ht bdlA buiihib6S tdsl
long shadows across the street, and fresh
breeze is blowing in from the sea.
The gayly dressed evening strollers glance
curiously at me as | stand still moment to
gaze wistfuly in at the shop windows. My
errand up town has been a very simple one
that of buying bread and butter for our fru-
gal evening meal. These commonplace pur-
chases have in way satisfied the aspira-
tions OF my nineteen year-old soul, which are
limited by thefatness OF my purse-or rather
Aunt Lallah's purse-and indulge in many
an airy fight OF fancy as survey the beauti-
iul things displayed for sale.
If were rich like Mrs. Major Dandy; |
would buy that lovely water set for Aunt
Lallah, and for myself some of the sparkling
jewelry that is spread out on the counter be
fore Jolly little Mrs Carson and the stylishly
dressed young lady with her.
'Rings," | say, with a suppr ssed sigh,
looking down at my brown little digits,
would be so becoming especially if took
pains to make my hands white. | rtally
don't care very much about being rich, but
do love pretty things, and it's rather hard
lines that can't have a single jewel with
which to adorn myself at nineteen"
Mrs Carson and the young lady are now
coming out Mrs. Carson, seeing me, ad-
vances with nod and a smils, but her com
panion-I have never seen her before-giyes
me cold stare and moves gracefully on to
the carriage in waiting
why, ] allah my dear, you are the very
person | am wishing to see. | meant TO
4. IL
you go with us tomorrow to Paxton Point, 2
says Mrs. Carson. "You see" she adds con
fidentially, II must do something to amuse
the people who are staying with me, and
they have never seen the ruined tower.
Vernod BRACE is coming, and that delightful
Dare Atherton, your neighbor. You will
come, won't you, my dear?"
"Oh, thank you, should like } very much
if / only might What time do you start?"
mot till afternoon. We are to have tea
at the tower and come back by moonlight
Give my regards 70 your aunt, and tell her
she must be sure snd let you come. I'll call
for you" she added as she stepped into her
carriage,
The shop windows have lost their attrac-
ton for me now | hasten eagerly home
The red brick cottage where | live with my
aunt stands back from the street in fra
grant, old fashioned flower garden. 1t is
not situated in a grand neighborhood but
is near the business portion of the town
and presents an aspect of shabby gentilty
| burst into the dining room, where Aunt
Lallah is engaged in scolding Bessie, the
stupid maid of all work. She listens coldly
while deliver Mrs. Carson's massage.
You will let me go, won't you, auntie?'
plead, seeing the unpromising look in the
gray eyes behind the steel spectacles mounted
on her Roman nose.
81 can't say, she answers sharply. "YoU
know don't approve of Mrs. Carson or o
you going into society with her"
I'm sure it's very kind Of her to notice
me. tits more than any one else has taker
the trouble to do"
Yes" she picks up in a eondescendinl
foshion, because, just now, you happen tt
amuse her, or are in some way useful Sh,
is a married fiirt, and not my idea Of a lady.
Aunt Lallah is neither strong minded no.
eccentric but brides herself on her lineage
and likes to boast of the brave deeds 0
some ancestors whose portraits adord tn,
walls OF the cottage.
Seeing that she is in a unproptius mood
I'll drop the subject for the present, only t.
renew it the next morning.
you will let me go, won't you, aun'ie?'
say coaxingly, at breakfast
Il suppose so, since you are set on it," sh,
returns reluctantly. "But you must promis
to he very discreet. Keep with the Older
women. Don't let the men frt with you
And take good care OF your dress, Lallah;
cannot afford to buy you another"
/ made all sorts of promises, feeling quit
happy in anticipation.
This is going to be red letter day in m!
existence, Aunt Lallah," / say with
lugh, and as one who neither reads her owl
heart nor the future.
who are going?" she asks, her face still
wearing it's dsagreable little frown
''Oh, all the best people, Mrs. Carson said
Jack De Lew, Nernon Darce and Dare Ather
ton, and"
hesitate, at a loss for names Mrs. Car
son had not mentioned any others.
Dare Atnertonl exclaims my aunt, il
surprise. 81 did not know he belonged t.
Mrs. Carson's set. I'm sure that grav