The Opelousas courier., 1895-12-14

home. She left such an urgent invita-
ton for you, but we were afraid you
would disappoint u.s."
Kitty Walters had met her old school
friend at the depot, and, talking and
laughing, hurried her into the carriage.
"But Kitty, I have no fancy dress with
me-" broke in Florence when Kitty
stopped for breath.
"Never mind, and I can
scheme n up for you. just wait till
you see mine; / planned it to represent
. marguerite-white satin train, that
was grandma's wedding dress, and oh,
30 pretty and quaint, and yellow gauze
skirt and waist with white petals over
it. The train is all bordered with flow
.er, and the sweetest little cap-just a
great big marguerite! And don't
look nice in it? Well fix you out in
some way. Oh, it will be such fun,
and you will meet Tom"
"And who may this Tom be, dear?'
asked Florence.
"Er-Mr. Lee," stammered Kitty,
blushing. II know you will like him:
but please don't try to like him too
much, for you see-oh, well, that Isl
turning to look out of the carriage
window-''you see we had a little spat
last night and he went home in some
thing of a temper"
Are you really engaged? Oh, I'm
so gladv' exclaimed Florence, as the
vision of a dainty bridesmaids dress
rose before her.
We'll. not exactly" Kitty replied,
''but I'll tell you all about it after
luncheon. There's no time now, for
here we are and mamma is waiting on
the porch to welcome you"
That afternoon. with Mrs. Walters,
they went up to the attic to sec what
they could find in the way of a costume
for Florence.
"I've half a mind to give you
mine," Kitty said, seating herself on a
big trunk and swinging her little feet
back and forth. "You see, Tom asked
me to 60 with him and then bet me
Eve pairs Of gloves to a new hat that I
couldn't get up a good enough disguise
TO fool him, provided I gave him a
waltz I took the bet, intending to
take my costume to Mrs. Wilson's and
dress there after our arrival, SO that
Tom couldn't get even a peep at it.
And now, whatd do you think! I was just
putting the finishing touches on my
cap last night when Tom called. /
dropped 1t and went into the parlor to
see him. We were joking over our bet.
when in came that scamp of a Bob
with my cap on his head. OF course
Tom pretended not to notice it. but l
could have cried. When he sees it
again he will know me at once" And
poor little Kitty dolefully shook her
curly head.
Never mind, dearie, you will have
the prettiest costume there, and you
can send him this in payment of your
bot" And Florence held up an old
high silk hat, which had belonged to
Kitty's grandfather and which Mrs.
Walters had just ~resurrected from an
old trunk.
Kitty did not answer; she was think
ing.
.tOh, Florence, If you'd only do it,"
she exclaimed at length, with an ex-
cited laugh. at would be such fun
and l aursure you could do it, You are
clever"
do what. you little goose?" asked
Florence.
"Why. just, this: you Mke my cos
tune and 70 with Tom, andTll dress
up il some old duds asa beggar. Tom
win never know me and Ill be sure to
fool him"
'sBut ] don't know Tom!n
SO much. the better. He doesn't
know vou are here, and so won't sus-
pect . thing. You can be all dressed
and masked when he comes, and can
step right into the carriage. He won't
know your Voice under the mask, and
we're about the same figure. You can
just say that ne will call the bet of,
he saw the cap4ast evening"
but I won't know how to talk to
him"
4tOh, I'll post you on . few subjects
p carry yop through till you get there.
It's only alttle way. and Tom always
does most Of the talking, himself.
You'll only need to say yes. to every
thing, and pretend that you are tired
"Shan Isay yes to everything2"
"Oh. you know what / n,ean-but
.ou viii. won't you?"
The temptation Of the pretty gown
Wa too much Tor Florence, and 90 II
~ ssttlsA