Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-11-27

June Is, 1894, was an event for Ken
sington and even Bayswater. At No.
100 Queens Square, the abode of Mr..
Symes Protheroe, it was the event of
the season to one member of the
family. When @ card arrived for
"Miss Protheroe and Mr.. Robert
Protheroe" it had given one of the
prettiest ofIpretty girls G happy mo-
ment. Mrs. Protheros was lean.
pushing mother, with a Blackheath
accent, keen to marry her daughters,
and indignant with them for not graft
tying her maternal ambition. A per-
petual guest for son-in-law had given
her all eager, restless expression, and
the young men fed before her in ter
TOR.
That is to say, until the youngest
daughter of all camo out, and then
they were almost ready to contemplate
her as possible motaer-in-law. For
Peroline Protheroe was beauty Of
the plump, fair-haired. apple-blossom
type. She had suc; serene blue eyes
and such bewitchiag smile that at
her very first party she had captivated
wealthy bullion broker. Yet, for
reasons she dared hot hint to Mrs.
Protheroe, she had summoned up all
her courage and refused MIR. 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
q country visit. 1,ae three inter-
mediate sisters were away when Mrs.
Thesiger's invitation arrived, and to
Peroline's dismay ana Susan's angry
indignation, Mrs. Protheroe an
nounced, with a decision there was no
gainsaying, that Susan was to accept
Susan had always detested balls.
She had always known she was ugly /;
now that she was thirty she felt the
fact much less. She probably stifed
a private pang or two in her first
youth as she sat lcnely wallaower,
and realized that no one was ever at
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 comrade who could not bear o
rival. Men were repelled by the
stumpy figure which seemed made
only to show the ahsurdi.y of each
succeeding fashion, by her freckles,
her scanty locks and her big mouth.
But Susan had very pleasant smile
and beautiful, capab's hands.
She adored her youngest sister, and
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 means in her
power to induce her mother to change
her mind. "Ycu know, mamma. do
the establishment no credit. No one
will take any notice of me, whereas
Peroline would meet heaps of men
richer even than Mr.. Culdersack.
Then I have no gown, and she looks
SO lovely in her white lace"
Mrs. Prothsroe, however, was OBJ
durate, and though Susan racked her
ingenious brain for excuses she could
not find one that was likely to be ac-
cspted. Understand plainly, Susan,
that you are to go. / will not have it
said that 1 never gave you chance"
So 1t had to be, and pretty Peroline
sadly helped her sister to put on On
unbecomiug and rather rumpled coral
pink garment which seemed to have
been planned to show how dowdy &C
Gordon plating can look. Peroline
was wearing one of last years school
girls white dresses, aad looked young
or and sweeter than ever. The big
blue eyes were bright with tears,
which rained down ON a bouquet of
flowers she held. Alas! there was a
card with them. He had not forgot
ter her, after all They might have
been SO happy.
eff even there was chance of your
getting introduced to him I could
bear it, :" she walled "but I dare not
write, and I can't even thank him. l
shall never, never see him again; they
60 to India tomorrow, and shall be
perfectly miserable till 1 die. No,
Susan, you are dear, but you can't
know how / feel"
Susan was too sensible to lament,
but she felt dolefully that her chances
of introduction were broken reed as
sole hope.
"Look here, Fairy" she said en-
couraging, 81 am taking that little
drswing.block. If I can get quiet
corner j. will sketch your Captain.
Oh, I'll find him out, never fear. I
should go to sleep if hadn't my lit
tie block, and I often find places
where 1 eau sketch; then l can work
it up into regular portrait for you
to keep as a remembrance.
"You are dear, but 1 have an
other idea. You take the bouquet,
and perhaps he will recognize it. "
Susan laushe3, and her laugh was
SO merry it was infectious. "No, no,
Fairy, that would never do. Why, !
should feel and look like goose, 1
never had bouquet in my life; you
keep it to comfort you, all but this
queer yellow orchid. I never saw one
like it, and perhaps if I stuck it some
where very conspicuously it might
catch Captain Anthony's eye"
But, Sukey. dear, it is quite too
aw,ully ugly with that gown"
".And my hair" finished Susan,
without touch OF bitterness in aer
smile. 'sThe uglier the better; per
haps he will notice this skirt. l think
nothing could ba more effectually
warranted to attract attention"
The orchid fastened in, Susan hud.
died Oh her cloak.
"Good night, my own darling.
shall be thinking Of you all the time
m +o had aarIy and I'll wake YOU III