The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-01
HER WHITE MUSLIN.

had bsen perfectly happy until this
question Of the ball came up It was to be
given by Mrs. Cheswick st Bloomington,
. 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-
ceIlent friends; hence I received my invi-
tation at an early day
sat down in thought, nay hands clasped,
locking 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
ether. He titled our little farm and cut
the wood and taught in a 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
Il shall not be able to go this term,
GLADYS, - he said TO rae few days before
left home, but III go the next. And
since I must remain at home, dear, III
take my turn at housekeeping, and you
shall run up to the BalfOur Grange and
pay grandma a visit
thought of all this now, and it did not
take me long to settle the matter.
Grandma, . I said rising, pray excuse
me, but if you Will allow me to do as
please with shis money Il send it home to
Ned 3"
And what do you propose wearing at
the baIl?'' demanded grandma
4 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 60"
VERY well, - answered Il 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 Cheswick9''
ventured to suggest at last. 4 really
don't care to go TO the ball"
Grandma only laughed and shrugged
her shoulders in her own peculiar way
1T will have to be the white muslin,
after all, fear, child, - she said, with a
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. Chsswiek's manner soon re-
assured me and quite put TO fight my
misgivings Before had been at Bloom
ington two hours I had danced not only
the first set with Msjsr Cheswick, but half
a dozen others He took me out 30 supper,
too, and when he babe me good night at
the carriage door he picked up a withered
cOrnhower 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 ball2 How did you like itP''
''Oh, grandma cried, lit was the
happiest night Of my whole lifel''
''IR spite of the old white muslin2"
"Oh, I didn't think of it, grAndma-not
onos was 50 delighted with the ball
that forgot all about myself
All this happened in October, and that
very day had to leave for home where
found that Ned had already gone to col
Iege, having had to start earlier than he
had expected
We would not let you know said
papa, lest you should miss the ball. -
It was growing dusk when returned
home from my usual afternoons ride a
few weeks later, and a cheerful light
cleaned from the sitting room windows
Papa did not, however, come to meet me
as usual, so I eantered around to the
stable, put up Beauty and then went in by
the back way and hurried up stairs GO
change nay dress
Il suppose the dear old love, I said to
myself, is busy and does not hear me-
When had finished my simple toilet, I
hurried down stairs and burst into the
room, saying:
Here I am, safe and sound, papa, and /
I've had such a grand gaIIop, and there's |
a letter from Ned, and hope you haven't /
let the mullins burn. -
Il am afraid 1 have, my dear he an
swered, for have company. Major Ches- /
wick Is here. believe you are already &C
quainted with him9''
looked around, and now, for the first /
time, saw that another person was in the 1
room
4 beg pardon, Miss Gladys. trust you I
hsvsnit quite forgotten nae, but I fear you 1
have. But 1 am, assure you, Major /
Chsswick and I thought 1 would just run /
down and see how you are all doing over !
here, - said ha
Major Cheswfck spent a week in the /
neighbOrheOd, and every evening found !
him our guest.
'Sueh a pleasant time I've had he |
said one afternoon, standing beside me
while l arranged the autumn leaves he
had gathered But it is over. I must SO
home sOFnerrow"
Tomorrow
Yes, tomorrow. Shall you miss me
just HttieS Don't say ne. Don't take
back the sweet confession your eyes have
this minute made. lsve you, Gladys
This is why came. IfeH in Ieve with you