The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1897-06-04

You must accept it, Ned, dear
wrote, las gift from me. 1t is ny
very own, Grandma gave it to me L
buy a ball dress, but | prefer to senC
it to you. You can go TO college THU
term, after all, Ned. SO make your ar
Engagements, and III be home in tim,
to see you Off
1t was very pleasant to fancy wha
Ned would say and how he would
look, on receiving my letter but my
| heart failed me, nevertheless, as the
night of the ball drew near.
Grandma, don't you think | haC
! better send an excuse to Mrs. Ches
wick ~ | ventured to suggest at last
Il really don't care to 20 to the ball. ,
Grandma only laughed and shrug
| ged her shoulders in her own peculiar
way.
That's odd,' she said when
was girl nothing pleased ne better
than ball. I'm sorry you don't care
| to 90, but it will never do to back out
| now. Mrs. Cheswick expects You
and moreover, I've engaged your hand
| 20 Major Cheswick for the first dance
| Ill tell You wha5 I'll do-I'il make
another concession. Upstairs, il some
| ola chests, are some bull dresses /
wore wiel l was young and-and
Went to balls
And dear grandma gave u sigh. as
she added:
But that's all past. I've never
been to Il ball since your grandpa
died. Tomorrow you shall rummage
them Over, and perhaps you can find
something that Ricketts, can alter for
you. | was quite as slim as YOU, -
cycling me critically, when | was a
woman OF fashion, years ago, and |
think they'll nearly fit you"
"Oh, thank you-thaull you, grand
MAJ / cried jumping up and kissing
her Was there ever so kind a
grandma before?n
So the next day l opened the chests
one after another for there were sew
eral, but | found nothing suitable
Not that they were not handsome
enough they were all brocades-bro-
cades that stood alone, such rs ladies
of wealth wore forty years ago-quite
unsuitable for poor me, and so | told
grandma.
II should look like stupid pea
cock" said. People would think |
was "A vulgar, pretentious snob."
- believe YOU are right, said grand
ma, after rejecting awhile. Il had
forgotten that what was suitable for Il
matron would be too pronounced for
young girl. 1t will have to be the
polkadot, after all, fear, child" with
a sigh.
And the polka-dot it was.
After that | never alluded to the
subject, but when the dreadful night
came | made my simple toilet with
fiuttering heart.
"Oh, Ricketts, pray--pray tell me
the TRUTH l imp!ored. do you
think I'll do:"
Il think you will, miss, answered
the woman, looking ne over from
head to foot with critical eyes. "'Twill
be a grand occasion to be sure; Mrs.
Ches wick'S balls always are Laws,
miss twill turn your head, if you've
never seen the like before.
Il went down with a sinking heart
and stood before grandma who was
sitting like queen in her great arm
chair by the fire as usual.
She looked Inc over sharply and then
shook her head
"Polka-dot muslin, she said tersely
lis not quite the thing for grand
ball"
turned away and went down to
the carriage, with a mist of tears be
fore my eyes, heartily wishing myself
at home with papa and Ned.
Bat the glitter of the ballroom, the
sound of music, and the sweet gentle
ness of Hrs. Creswicl 5 manner soon
reassurred me and quite put II flight to
my Iuisgiviugs. Before / had been al
Bloomington two hours | had danced
not only tine first dance with Major
Ores wick, but half q dozen others.
He took me out supper, too, and when
he babe Inc good night at the carriage
door he picked up Il withered corn
flower that fell from my hair and fast
eucd ii in his buttonhole.
We'll, questioned grandma, when
we met at brea kfast the next morning
what about the ball: How did you
like iS:'
ooh, grandma - I cried, lit was
the i:appiest night OF my whole life
IN spite Of the polka dot muslin:'
- didn't think of it, granGna-not
once. i Was SO delighted with the
bal! that forgot all about myself.
Al this happened III October, and
that very day had TO leave for home,
where l found that Ned had already
gone to college, having had to start
earlier than he expected.
we would not let you know" said
papa, least you should miss the
ball.
We found it u little lonely-On we
two--as winter drew near; but we
were always busy, and that helped up
wonderfully. Papa did the farm work,
and the housekeeping, and both of
US had our hands full, and no time for
idle regrets.
Papa, dear, feel just like having
a sharp gallop,n | said one frosty day,
at our midday meal; so if you will
watch the mullins we are to have for
supper, and see that they don't burn,
I'll saddle Beauty and ride over to
the post office for the mail. I'm sure
there's letter from Ned
''All right said papa, and in ten
minutes | was off.
The air was keen and clear and in
MIGRATING. | gave Beauty the rein,
and she went down the road like a
swallow. About half a mile before
reaching the village passed IL man on
foot with II small satchel in his hand.
was cantering along grassy sort of
down, he was in the high-road below.
He started, | thought to climb the
slight activity, and | drew in my
rein, supposing he knew me; but on a
second glance, | saw a stranger, and
half fearing he might mean harm
gave Beauty her head and dashed on.
The stranger stopped as if in surprise.
He turned and looked after me as
flew by, and, l thought, touched his
hat, but | went on. taking no heed.
1t was growing dusk when | return
ed home, and n cheerful light cleaned
from the sitting-room windows.
Papa did not, however, come out to
meet me, as usual; so | cantered
around to the stable, put up Beauty
and then went in by the back way
and hurried upstairs to change my
dress.
Il suppose the dear old love"
said to myself, is busy with the toast
and does not hear me-
When | had finished my simple
toilet hurried down stairs and burst
into the room saying.
Here | am, safe and sound, papa,
and I've had such grand gallop, and
there's letter from Ned, and | hope
YOU haven't let the mullins burn"
I'm afraid | have my dear" he
answered, "for have company. Ma
ior Cheswck is here | believe you
are acquainted with him.
| looked around, and now, for the
first time saw that another person was
in the room. l drew back in utter
aInazement, as the gentleman adj
vanced, for | recognized him by his