Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-04-23

Lettie came to live with us in Cromer.
During the next few days l could
think and talk of nothing save the COM
ing masquerade and Jacks return.
But be the day never 80 weary or long,
At length 1t ringeth to evensong.
And so at length theeventful evening
arrived. Aunt and mother dressed me
in petticoat and train of loveliest white
brocade, trimmed with filmy Honiton
lace. Mother dropped many furtive
tear, recalling the bride that was to
have been, whose romance of love was
cut short in such mysterious fashion;
but aunt said never word till was
dressed, and then, turning to my moth
er, she exclaimed:
"She looks better, Mary, than should
have done; and, after all, you see, it
has not been utterly wasted. But you
must let me powder your hair, Lettie.
Everyone wore powder when 1 was
young" ...'
At last was ready, just as the lum-
bering old chariot drew up to the door
With parting advice from my mother
and strict injunctions not to damage
my precious dress was started, Martha
and all the maids being gathered in the
hall to see me off, gaping in open
mouthed wonder at my unwonted splen-
dor. l am an old, old woman now, but
when 1 close my eyes 1 perceive every
detail, even to the minutest, of that
night as if it were but yesterday. The
drive to the hall, the hedges and trees
sparkling with frost in the brilliant
moonlight; the hammer, hammer of the
horses hoofs upon the iron-bound road
The first sight of the hall as we drove
up the avenue, all it's windows illumi-
mated; the faint sound of the music
borne upon the still night air; then the
entry into the brilliantly-lighted rooms:
Sir John and Lady Pendarves' hearty
welcome-all come back to me now. l
suppose my entrance made sensation.
1 was conscious of a buzz of admira-
ton as passed through the assembled
guests.
"Why, Lettie, my DEAR" exclaimed
Lady Pendarves, 'how beautiful you
look. declare your hoops and powder
become you nightly. But come along,
child, let me take you to Jack; he has
been asking for you ever since he came
back" And, taking my hand in her
jeweled one, "Lettie, my dear, if you
could"
Just at this moment up came Jack
(Maj. Pendarves he is now, looking
handsome in his hussar uniform, yet
just the same merry, smiling Jack Of
old. He was my partner in the new
dance, called the vaise, just introduced
from abroad-a dance that my mother
dad not quite approve, as she considered
it too familiar for young men and maid
ems; but which found very agreeable
with Jack for partner.
"Well, Lettie, you have grown quite
a woman now, and 1 suppose have quite
forgotten your old sweetheart?"
"Oh, Jack, how can you? have my
half here" touching my pocket; "can
you say as much?"
Eyes, dear, that can. have never
parted with it; it has been with me
through every battle-my talisman of
safety and love-"
What need to tell again the old story,
ever sweet, that men will love to tell
and women to hear as long as the world
endures; suffice it that ere the dance
had ended had promised to be his
wife.
ooh, Jack" said, as he was leading
me back to Lady Pendarves, 81 felt al
most wicked to accept you. You know
l have not a penny; and my DRESS"
added with laugh, SIS Aunt Lettie's."
II don't care if you haven't penny.
have enough for both; and want you
for yourself, and not your money"
Lady Pendarves was delighted, and
Sir John was kind; and so it was set
tied that, with my mothers permission,
we were to be married ere Jack rejoined
his regiment.
"And now," said Lady Pendarves,
"you must really so and dance with
some of the other guests and leave Let
tie to me-"
l was sitting, oh, SO happy, by Sir
John, who was making all sorts of plans
for our future, when l saw a tall gentle
man, dressed in foreign uniform, MAX
ing his way through the guests toward
the recess where we were. 1 had no.
ticed him several times before in the
course of the evening regarding me most
attentively.
AS he was evidently coming to speak
to US, said:
"Who is this gentleman, Sir John?"
"Oh, my dear, q Mr.-Mr.- Tut, tut,
I forget his name for the moment, q
friend of Jacks who came over from
France with him and is staying few
days with u.s.
By this time the gentleman had made
| his way across the hall, and stood bow
| ing to us.
May have the honor of this dance p
| he inquired.
was going to reply NO" for !
wanted forest till Jack came back to me
when Sir John said: Eyes, Lettie
child, do" so, of course, was obliged
to say: with pleasure"
| Ny partner who was certainly un,
commonly handsome and tall, almost
as handsome and tall as Jack, only
| much Older yoc silent for tho TINA