The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-09-10

"a illtlc tlSnt IN the sleeves, but other
wise quite decent fiji if fellow holds
his arms well back. There's Alice's
blue muslin dress. I've two minds and
half to put it on, just for the Joke of
the thing -
momentary silence eusued, broken
by the rustling of muslin.
Don't meet round the waist by n
good six inches, but / can hold it MP.
L wonder what makes the thing drag
on the floor and cling round ones
legs so! Oh, | know-thc crinoline
ought to go under!'
'1m not certain but that / should
make quite nice looking woman. "
unused Kenneth, struttin9 backward
and forward before the mirror con
the whole-Tomb OF the Prophet! is
that the girls?"
MIR. Ross gave n blindly desperate
Jerk Mt his "sacque," and n pull Mt the
crinoline: bnt all in vain. The gay
voices, intermingled here and there
with n ringing laugh, or n snatch of
song, drew nearer and nearer. For
an instant Mr.. Ross wildly contem-
plated rush through the hall to his
own door, but n moments reflection
convinced him that such retreat
would be impossible.
81 must stay and face it out!" he
thought, "but hold on! there's the
closet. It's just possible they will
| only stay here n minute or two.
And totally cblivious of the "maj-
esty of man." he fled prccipitately
into the closet.
''Why the deuce didn't | think to
secure the key?" he thought, MS the
girls streamed into the room. Glow
ever, | can hold on to the door handle
If any one attempts to get in. BY
Jove, if the girls should see me in this
rig, should never hear the last OF it. "
lie leaned against the shelves, and
breathlessly awaited the progress of
events.
"Why!" CALCULATED soft voice
RCsa's own-"where's my hat? Was |
careless enough to leave it down
stairs? Flora, you have hidden it"
81 wonder what you'll accuse me of
next!' said Flora, III an injured voice
'You told Mr.. Ross that Cousin
Simon's letter was toto"
Your sweetheart! Well, he ought
to be, I'm sure. He is the handsom-
est young man | know"
"Oh, Flora! he don't compare with
Mr.. Ross"
''Rosa, be honest" said Flora,
(which do you like best Cousin Ken,
or Simon Montrose?
"Flora! !"
Tell me now, honestly"
The answer came i'll low, half in
audible voice.
Kenneth !"
The heart under AIico's sacquo gave
n great jump! Mr. Ross head came
in contact with something on the up
per shelf, and down came n rain of
band boxes on his occiput
There was an instants terrified
silence, and then all the girls began to
scream in chorus.
Glow silly we all nre!" said Rosa
sremulously cts only the cat.
AS if cat could make such
noise as that - said Flora. "Call
Uncle John? Alice, do look aud see
what it is !"
ono you look :" faltered Alice.
"Tll look myself" sail Rosa Fern
all, bravely advancing to the rescue.
But when the door-handle refused to
turn, even she blanched.
"Some one is holding the door in
side. Call the men!"
"rhero is no necessity" quoth n
voice from behind the panels, and the
next moment the door flew open, dis.
closing tall form in blue, anl n
countenanco whose utter sheepishness
can never be described
cousin Ken !" shrieked Flora.
"Mr. Rossl' faltcred Miss Fernnll.
"Why, it can't be possibler' eiacu-
lated Alice.
And then the three girls chung TO
each other in paroXysms of laughter
"Ihe fact is, ladies'" commenced
Kenneth confu5edly, a. Won't some
\ one help me OF with this mou5e-trIp?
Miss Al5e, I'm very sorry I've split
\ your sacquc but Well, if you won't
stop laughing | can't explain, that's
| the long and tho short Of itr
/ But Rosa Feruall hal stoppe l
laughing already, and the pink OF her
checks was deepening into scarlet.
| She had Just remembered the words
carelcssly spoken not fvo minutes
/ ago.
I'm al inexpicnbly short space OF
| time Mr.. Ross had torn Off his femi-
nine adornments, and fed iguomini-
ously, followed by peals OF laughter
Of his cousin and Alice Aymor. Rosa
strange piece of contradiction had
/ BEGAN TO cry
Poor little thing she's hystcrical. q"
said Aunt Meg, who had just appeared
on the scene.
But Rosa was not hystorical.
The full, delicious moon OF GUNNER
WAS in the mid heaven that night. MS
Kenneth Ross strolled into the garden
moodily putting Mt cignr, and con
templating the feasibility Of leaving
Warburgh TO avoid tho girls sarcasm.
81 was n fool, said ho aloud; 'but
-- Who's there?"
II was Rosa, coming from the lower
part OF the garden. by the full brill
iant moonlight no saw tho traces OF
tears on her cheek.
Rosa, you have been cryingI"
"No, / hayen'tp Aud to prove the