The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-12-17

WA VA tnls ieat had been
X accomp s h d.
IL q people showed an
I ~ amiable readiness
to help her to
spend 1T while it lasted. Her ball on
June Is, 1891, was an event for Ken
sington and even Bayswater. At No.
100 Queens Square, the abode of Mr.
oymes Protheroe, it was the event of
the season to one member of the
family. When n card arrived for
Miss Protheroe and Mr.. Robert
Protheroe" it had given one of the
prettlest of5pretty girls n happy mo-
ment. Mrs. Protheroe was n lean
pushing mother, with Blackheath
accent, keen TO marry her daughters.
and indignant with them for not graft
Tying her maternal ambition. A per-
petuHl quest for son-in-law had given
her an eager, restless expression. and
the young men fled before her in ter
ror.
That is to say, until the youngest
daughter OF all came out, and then
they were almost ready to contemplate
ner ms II possible mother-in-law. For
Ierollne Protheroe was n beauty of
the plump, falr-haired, apple blossom
type. She had such serene blue ewes
and such bcwitching smile that Mt
her very first party she had captivated
wealthy bullion broker. Yet. for
reasons she dared not hint to Mrs
Protheroc, she had summoned up all
her courage and refused Mr.. Culder-
sack. An event had occurred which
made the gentle Peroline as obstinate
as her eldest sister, Susan. She had
secretly fallen in love while away on
country visit. The three inter
mediate sisters were away when Mrs
Iheslger' S invitation arrived, and to
ferollne's dismay ana Susan's angry
indignation, Mrs. Protheroe an
nouncol, with decision there was no
galnsayiug, that Susan was to accent
IT.
Susan had always detested balls.
she had always known she was ugly :;
now that she was thirty she felt the
fact much les'. Sho probably stiAed
private pang or two in her first
youth rs she sat lonely wallhower.
ind realized that no one was ever ot
all likely to dance with her unless
compelled to do so. But no amount
OF neglect could spoil her imperturba.
BILE good temper. She had hosts of
girl friends who knew the ADVANTAGE
OF cOmrede who could not bear -
rival. Men were repealed by the
stumpy figure which seemed made
only to show the absurdi.v Of each
succeeding fashion, by her freckles.
her scanty locks and her big mouth.
But Susan had very pleasant smile
and beautiful, capable hands.
She adored her youngest sister. md
she alone knew OF the little romance
of which Captain Anthony BRIDGE
north was the hero. Also that his
leave was nearly over, and that he
would be at Mrs. Hay-Thesiger's ball
Susan exhausted every mems in her
power to induce her mother to change
her mind. "You know, mamma. ! do
the establishment no credit. No one
will take any notice of me. whereas
Perolino would meet heaps of men
richer even than Mr. Culdersack
Then have no gown, and she looks
so lovely i'm her white lace"
Mrs. ProlharOe, however, was Oh
duratc, aud though Susan rneLcd her
ingenious brain for excuses She could
not find one that was likely TO be nc.
cepted. understand plainly, Susan.
that you are to GO. ] will not have IL
SAID that } never gave You chance.
so IT had tO be, and pretty Peroline
sadly helped her sister TO put on AN
unoccomiug aud rather rumDleI coroI
pink garment which seemed to hive
been planned TO show how dowJv no.
t.llfIff...
was wearing ono OF lust years school
gir's white dresses, and looked vounv-
or anil swceter than ever. The biz
blue eyes were bright with tears.
which rainad down ON % bouquet OF
flowers sho held Alas there was n
ctrd with them re hal not forgot
ten her, after all Thoy might have
been so happy.
cd. even there was a chance OF your
rc.ting introduced to him conld
bear Il, she walled but I dare not
write, md I can't even thank him. 7
shall never, never sec him a9ain they
goo To- India tomorrow, and / shall be
perfectly miserable tin 7 die. 40.
Susan, you Gre dear, but you can't
know how + feel"
Susan was too sensible to lament.
but sue felt dolcfully that her chances
of introduction were broken reed as
sole hope.
Look here, Fairy" she said On
couraging, 'T am taking that little
drawing block. If ! can get n quiet
corner J. will sketch your Captain.
Oh, WI find him out, never fear. }
should 60 to sleep IL hadn't my lit.
Ito block, and 1 often find places