Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-10-16
HER WHITE MUSLIN.


had been perfectly happy until this
question of the ball came up. 1t was to be
given by Mrs. Cheswick at Bloomington,
a fine old country seat adjoining the
Grange, in honor of her son, recently re-
turned home after years of foreign travel.
Grandma and Mrs Cheswick were ex-
cellent friends; hence received my invi-
tation at an early day.
sat down in thought, my hands clasped,
looking out toward the Cheviot hills, in
the direction Of our happy but compare
| lively humble home, for we were happy
papa and Ned, my brother, and I, although
it was all and even more than the three
| of us could do sometimes to make both
ends meet.
Ned had been to college one term and
was struggling for means to pay for an
other. He titled our little farm and cut
the wood and taught in night school,
and then studied his own books until the
dawn was almost breaking.
Yet after all this noble effort, he had
not succeeded in raising the requisite
amount.
II shall not be able to go this term,
Gladys" he said to me few days before l
left homo, "but I'll go the next. And
since must remain at home, dear, I'll
take my turn at housekeeping, and you
shall run up to the Balfour Grange and
pay grandma visit.
I thought of all this now, and it did not
take me long to settle the matter.
Grandma, said rising, "pray excuse
| al %o 10
please with this money I'll send it home to
Ned"
"And what do you propose wearing at
the ball?' demanded grandma
II shan't go to the ball. said, choking
down sob.
"Oh, yes you WILL" she replied. give
accepted Mrs. Cheswick's invitation, and
you shall not offend her by staying at
home. You must GO"
every WE'LL" answered II shall be
obliged to wear my old white muslin. I've
nothing else"
Grandma, don't you think had bet
ter send an excuse to Mrs. Cheswick?"
ventured to suggest at last II really
don't care to go to the ball"
Grandma only laughed and shrugged
her shoulders in her own peculiar way.
ut twill have to be the white muslin
after all, fear, child," she said, with @
sigh.
And the white muslin it was.
The glitter of the ballroom, and the
sound Of the music, and the sweet gentle
ness of Mrs. Cheswick's manner soon re-
assured me and quite put to flight my
misgivings Before had been at Bloom
ington two hours I had danced not only
the first set with Major Cheswick, but hall
dozen others. He took me out to supper
too, and when he babe me good night al
the carriage door he picked up withered
oornfower that fell from my hair and fas
tened it in his buttonhole.
"Well," questioned grandma, when we
met at breakfast next morning, "what
about the ballp How did you like it,"
4 "Oh, grandma" cried, ''it was the
happiest night Of my whole life!"
"In spite Of the old white MUSLIN"
ooh, didn't think Of it, grandma-no-
oncel was go delighted with the bal
that forgot all about myself"
All this happened in October, and thai
very day had to leave for home, where
found that Ned had already gone to col
lege, having had to start earlier than hi
had expected
"We would not let you know" sale
papa, "lest you should miss the ball."
It was growing dusk when I returned
home from my usual afternoons ride G
few weeks later, and cheerful light
cleaned from the sitting room windows.
Papa did not, however, come to meet mt
as usual, so I cantered around to thu
stable, put up Beauty and then went in by
the back way and hurried up stairs tx
change my dress.
II suppose the dear old love-" I-said tx
myself, "is busy and does not hear me-"
When I had finished my simple toilet,
hurried down stairs and burst into tn,
room, saying:
I've had such grand gallop, and there
letter from Ned, and hope you haven
let the mullins burn"
II am afraid have, my dear, " he an
swered, for have company. Major Ches
wick is here believe you are already &C
quainted with him?"
looked around, and now, for tho frs
time, saw that another person was in tn
room.
II beg pardon, Miss Gladys. trust 70,
haven't quite forgotten me, but fear yol
: have. But am, I assure you, Majo
Cheswick, and thought would just rul
down and see how you are all doing owe
here" said he
Major Cheswick spent week in til
} neighborhood, and every evening foun'
him our guest
"Such pleasant time I've had" h
said one afternoon, standing beside m
while I arranged the autumn leaves h
had gathered "But it Is over. must g
home tomorrow.
Tomorrow"
Eyes, tomorrow. Shall you miss M
just littles Don't say no. Don't tax
back the sweet confession your eyes hay
this minute made I love you, Gladys
This Is why came. I fell in love with yol
the night we met at my mothers ball."
"Oh, Major Cheswick! The night
wore my white muslin dressa"
His eyes fairly danced with suppresse.
: laughter as spoke
Eyes, your white muslin. I've heard al
about your ball dress, Gladys" he said
taking my hand, land regard 1t is rob
Of honor. I thought it the prettiest dres
had ever seen, and the wearer the on
. woman in the world for me--the only on
have ever cared to make my wife Dom
turn away" for was averting my hea
to hide the happy bushes Don't leav
me in suspense. Give me my answer now
Gladys"
did not say "Yss," but suppose m
, eyes answered him. At any rate, when W
parted on the following day was his be
trothed bride, and today am his happ
. wife, Exchange