The true northerner., 1897-01-20
HER WHITE MUSLIN.


tation at an early day.
j sat down in thought, my hands clasped,
looking out toward the Cheviot hills, i'm
the direction of our happy but compare
lively humble home. for we were happy
papa and Ned my brother, and l, although
IL was all and even more than the three
of us could do sometimes To make both
ends meet
Ned had been 10 college one term and
was struggling for means 10 pay for an.
other 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
81 shall not be able TO go this term.
Gladys. he said TO me few days before
left home, but I'll go the next. And
since l 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.
thought of all this now and il did not
take me long to settle the matter.
Grandma, said rising, pray excuse
me, but II you will allow me TO do as
please with this money IL send 1t home to
Ned"
And what do you propose wearing at
the ball:" demanded grandma.
Il shan't go TO the ball. +" / said, choking
down sob,
"Oh yes you will" she replied ''I've
accepted Mrs. Cheswick's invitation, and
you shall not offend her by staying al
home. You must GO
Every we'll, 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. Chcswicky"
ventured TO suggest at last. Il really
don't care to go TO the ball. p"
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. Cheswick's manner soon re-
assured me and quite put TO flight my
misgivings. Before had been at Bloom
ington two hours l had danced not only
the first set with Major Cheswick, but hall
dozen others. He took me out to supper,
too, and when he bade me good night al
the carriage door he picked up withered
cornnower that fell from my hair and fas
tened IL in his buttonhole.
well, questioned grandma, when we
met at breakfast next morning "whal
about the ball? How did you like it?''
"Oh, grandma, / cried, lit was the
happiest night of my whole lifen'
sin spite of the old white muslin?"
"Oh, didn't think of il, t,sgrandma-noi
once / was so delighted with the bal
that forgot all about myself F"
All this happened in October, and that
very day had to leave for home, where
found that Ned had already gone to col
lege, having had TO start earlier than he
had expected.
1--WE would not let you know" saiC
papa, "lest you should miss the ball. :"
1t was growing dusk when l returned
home from my usual afternoons ride q
few weeks later, and cheerful light
CLEANED from the sitting room windows
Papa did not, however, come to meet mt
as usual, so / cantered around to the
stable, put up Beauty and then went in by
the back way and hurried up stairs K
change my dress.
Il suppose the dear old love-" said Il
myself Us busy and does not hear me-"
When had finished my simple toilet,
hurried down stairs and burst into tn,
roo'~, saying:
Here / am, safe and sound, papa, and
I've had such a grand gallop, and there
letter from Ned, and hope you haven't
let the mullins burn
Il am afraid l have, my dear" " he an
swered. for l have company. Major Ches
wick is here. / believe you are already ac
quainted with him.
looked around, and now, for the first
time saw that another person was in tn,
room.
II beg pardon, Miss Gladys i trust you
haven't quite forgotten me, but fear you
have But / am, l assure you, Major
Cheswick, and l thought would just rur
down and see how you are all doing over
here" said he.
Major Cheswick spent week in the
neighborhood, and every evening found
him our guest.
Such a pleasant time I've had" he
said one afternoon, standing beside mt
while l arranged the autumn leaves ht
had gathered. But 1t Is over. l must &C
home tomorrow
Tomorrow
ItSt DHtil yOu iHlSS nit
just a littleS Don't say no. Don't take
back the sweet confession your eyes have
this minute made. love you, Gladys
This is why came. fell in love with you
the night we met at my mothers ball. "
"Oh, Major Cheswicki The night
wore my white muslin dress?'
His eyes fairly danced with suppressed
laughter as / spoke.
Yes, your white muslin. I've heard al
about your ball dress, Gladys" he said
taking my hand, and regard 1t is robe
of honor thought 1t the prettiest dress
/ had ever seen, and the wearer the one
woman in the world for me-the only one
i have ever cared to make my wife. Don'i
turn away, !" for | was averting my head
to hide the happy blushes. Don't leave
me In suspense Give me my answer now
Gladys"
did not say Yes" but suppose my
eyes answered him. At any rate, when we
parted on the following day l was his be
L IL -.