The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1897-06-04
ZAiscellaucnus.
THE BALL DRESS.
BY EMMA GARRISON JoNE.

Grandma raised her hand, as if to
emf hasize her words, in fashion she
had, and said:
You can do as you please about it,
Gladys, bat | want you to understand
that this is all | can spare. | shall be
cramped, as it is, for the rest of the
month; so expect nothing more from
me-
"Of course not, grandma, i" answer
ed, clasping my hands, and not daring
to look her in the face, considering
what | was saying, But indeed, |
would rather not take this"
well, child, she replied, you
wouldn't get the money.if l didn't
want you to have it-be sure of that
Here it is. lou can send it to Ned if
you like; but if you DO, you'll have to
go without your bail dress-that's
ALL
Sitting in her great chair, with her
daintily sipDered feet on Il furnished
velvet hassock grandma produced her
purse and taking therefrom Il fifty
dollar bill, she put it in my hand.
My heart iluttered in my very throat,
and when | tried to thank her words
failed me. In my whole life | had
never before had so much money.
You can take Ricketts, and drive
over to Brentsvlle tomorrow sug-
gested grandma, returning her purse
to the pocket of her quilted silk petit
coat. land get what you'll need
| fell into silence and deep thought.
l Was making my first visit since
early childhood q [ Balgour Grange, as
graEdma's old fashioned home was
called. She was tie dearest and state
Of niI F..EiIpaI llIfrs anI ti,a
gray, antique mansion with its peaked
gables, oriel windows aud antique
chimneys, where the Ballours had liv-
ed and died for nearly two centuries,
was the plcasantest of homes.
l had been perfectly happy until
this question of the ball came up. 1t
was to he given by Mrs. Cheswick, at
Bloomington, a fine Old country seat,
adjoining the Grange, in honor of her
only son, recently returned home, af-
ter years of foreign travel.
Grandma and Mrs. Cheswick were
excellent friends hence had received
my invitation at an early day.
You must go, by all means, Gladys.
l wouldn't have you miss it for the
world" said grandma. Mrs. Ches-
wick's balls are always delightful, and
the best people in the country will be
there. I'll get Mrs. Cheswick to be
YOUR chaperone for the night; you'll
find her charming. Child, can you
dance p
ooh yes, indeed, grandma"
That's good. My dear, you must
have ball dress"
And to that end the fifty dollar bill
had been put into my hands.
sat, as have said, in deep thought,
my hands clasped, looking out to wards
the southern hill in the direction of
our happy but comparatively humble
home; for we were happy-papa and
Ned and l, although it was all and
even more than the three OF us could
do, sometimes, to make both ends
meet.
Ny pretty young mother had died
some years previous, so that, while
yet a child, | had been forced to as
sumo the grave duties of houseke6per.
| had not found my task q hard one,
however, but labor of love. Papa
was so tender and patient and helpful,
in his great trouble; and Ned-well, |
don't suppose any other girl ever had
such a brother.
He was as brave as a lion, and as
def as a woman, and as handsome as
a prince. He helped me with every
task | had to perform, and comforted
me in every sorrow; and all the while
he mad his own work to do, and hard
work it was. He had been to college
one term and was struggling for means
to pay his way through for another.
He titled our little farm and cut cord
wood, and gathered sumac for the
market, and taught night school, and
l. IL ,l-s, e,
dawn was breaking.
Yet after all the noble effort he had
not succeeded in raising the requisite
amount.
Il shall not be able to go for this
term, Gladys" he had said to me a
few days before left home, but I'll
come in for the next; and since | must
remain at home, dear, I'll take my
turn at housekeeping, and you shall
run up to Balfour Grange and make
grandma visit"
| thought of ali this now, and it did
not take me long to settle the matter.
"Cirandma,n | said, rising, pray
excuse me; but since you are kind
enough to allow me to do as | please
with this money, I'll send it home to
Ned"
And what do you purpose wearing
to the ball: - demanded grandma.
Il shau't go TO the ball" | said,
choking down sob.
"Oh, yes, you will" she replied
1--WE accepted Mrs. Cheswick's invi-
tation, and YOU shall not offend her by
staying at home. You must 60"
Very well, / answered: II shall be
obliged TO wear my po.ka-dot muslin.
I've nothing else.
Then grandma laughed.
"But really that Won t DO, she said.
at will he entirely TO common-:4t
least, for such - grand ball as this.
Why, my dear, all of the real quality
as Ricketts, would say" lRicketts was
three counties. Don't be foolish,
now"