The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-11-07

~ am!aDlc readiness
v to help her to
spend it while it lasted. Her ball on
June Is, 1891, was an event for Ken
sington and even Bhyswatcr. At No.
100 Queens Square, the abode of Mr..
Symes Prothcroe, il was the event oi
the season TO one member OF the
family. When n card arrived for
miss Protheroe and Mr.. Robert
Prothcroc' 1t had given one OF the
pretticst ofIpretty girls happy mo.
lnent. Mrs. Protheroe was lean.
pushing mother, with Blackheath
accent, keen 10 marry her daughters,
aud indignant with them for not graft
tying her maternal ambition. A per.
petunl quest for sou-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. aud then
they were almost ready TO contemplate
her as possible mothe--in.law. For
Perollne Protheroe was n beauty of
the plump, fair-haircd, apple. blossom
type. She had such serene blue ewes
and such bewitching smile that at
her very first party she had captivated
wealthy bullion broker. Yet, for
reasons she dared not hint to Mrs.
Protheroe, she had summoned up all
her courage and refused Mr. Culder-
sack. An event had occurred which
made the gentle Peroline as obstinate
rs her eldest sister. Susan. She had
secretly fallen in love while away on
country visit. The three inter.
mediate sisters were away when Mrs.
Thesiger's invitation. arrived, and to
Perolines dismay and Susan's angry
indignation Mrs r-"tharea,. %
with decision there was lo
gainsaying, that Susan was to accept
1t.
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 stined
"a private pau2 or two in her first
youth a, she sat lonely wallhower,
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 n comrade vino could not bear II
rival. Men were repelled by the
stumpy figure which seemed made
only to show the absurdi.y of each
succeeding fashion, by her freckles,
her scanty locks and her big mouth.
But Susan had II very pleasant smile
and beautiful, capable 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 hi,
leave was nearly over, and that he
would be at Mrs. Hay ayThesiger's ball
Susan exhausted every means i'll heI
power to induce her mother to change
her mind. "You know, mamma. dc
the establishment no credit. No one
will take any notice OF me, whereas
Peroline would meet heaps of mel
richer even than Mr.. Culdersack.
Then have no gown, and she look:
80 lovely in her white lace.
Mrs. Protheroe, however, was oh.
durate, and though Susan racked hel
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 a chance.
SO If had to be. and pretty PerolinC
sadly helped her sister to put on NJ
uubecomiug and rather rumpled cora
pink garment which seemed to hay,
been planned to show how dowJy ac
Gordon plating can look. Perolin,
was wearing one OF last years schoo
girls white dresses, and looked young
er and sweeter than ever. The hi.
blue eyes were bright with tears
which ralned down on n bouquet o
flowers she held. Alas! there was
card with them. He had not forgot
ten her, after all. They might hay,
been so happy.
"lf even there was chance OF you
getting introduced to him | coul,
bear it, she walled "but | dare no
write, and | can't even thank him.
shall never, never see him again; the
go to India tomorrow, and shall b
perfectly miserable till | die. No
Susan, you are dear, but you can
know how feel.
Susan was too sensible to lament
but she felt dolefully that her chance
of introduction were broken reed u
sole hope.
"Look here, Fairy" she said ell
couraging, 81 am taking that littl
drawing-block. Ii can get quiC
corner / will sketch your Captain
Oh, I'll find him out, never fear.
should go to sleep if | hadn't my lii
tie block, and / often find place