Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-07-14

V6SSSSS9SSSSSS
.'who told you so, my deary' Ill
quired Miss Pinchett. as the driver
opened the door and let down the
steps.
why. nobody told me; 1 thought Sc
of my own SELF" said Elite.
"Then you are mistaken, my dear
your grandmother lives here" replied
Miss Pinchett. as she alighted anc
assisted Elite to get out.
The driver had already gone up t
the door and knocked and rung.
Ettie and Miss Pinchett went up the
steps, and by the time they reached
the top the door was opened by O
black footman in livery.
''Tell your mistress that l have
brought her granddaughter home
said Miss Pinchett to the footman.
YES. mum-cert'ncy. mum-please
to walk in here, num-" replied the
man, with low bow at the end OF
every phrase. as he led the travellers
through the fine entrance hall TO an
elegant little reception parlor, whose
floor was covered with a blue and
white velvet carpet, so rich that Elite
hesitated to step on it: and whose
window curtains. and chair and sofa
covers were all of pale-blue and sill
ver-satin damask. A chandelier of
silver and crystal hung from the cell
ing and illumined the room. Elite
took out a clean pocket handkerchief,
and laid it very carefully over one of
the small reception chairs before she
ventured to sit down on a thing so ell
egant.
AS soon as the servant had disap-
reared. Elite. sitting upon the very
edge of the chair, whispered, in awed
tones:
what does the black man wear
such fine soldiers clothes for, Miss
Pinchett?"
1T is not soldiers clothes: it is liv-
cry, my dear"
"And what is livery. Miss Pinchett:'
"a particular sort of servile uni
form. worn by the servants Of indi-
vidual families. to distinguish them
from the servants of other wealthy
families"
"Oh!-how very light the house is!
as light as day. and a great deal light
er than some days! 1t really makes
my eyes ache! What a deal of oil it
must take. not only to light the house,
l mean, but to light the great streets
we passed through! Why, l should
think it would take all the oil of all
the whales in all the oceans in the
world to feed themv' said Elite, gaz-
ing, open-mouthed about her.
ut is not oil; it is gas, my dear"
"And what is gas?"
"Well, I hardly know myself: ex-
cept that it is subtle, invisible agent
made from coal, and much used by
the people of the cities to light up
their streets and houses, and also by
politicians in their stump speeches to
dazzle the intellects of the voters"
AS Miss Pinchett got through this
luminous description of a luminous
subject, the footman re-entered the
parlor, and, with three bows, said:
IF you please, mum, you and the
young lady, mum, is to walk up stairs
to the dressing-room. num-"
"You must show us the way, then"
said Miss Pinchett.
"Certney, mum, cert'ney." replied
the footman, with two bows.
Elite and Miss Pinchett arose and
followed their conductor through the
spacious hall, up the broad staircase
and into lofty front room on the
first floor, the splendor of which so
blinded the eyes of Elite that she
could make out nothing but glow Of
rose-colored satin damask and sofa
covers. and window curtains, CLEAN
of lofty mirrors, drift of lace-draped
dressing table and a dazzle of gas
light over all.
At last, through the splendid con-
fusion, advanced stately and beauti-
full woman. whose elegant mourning
dress of black moire-antique, trimmed
with Grape, only rendered her blonde
beauty more radiant by it's contrast
Her plump neck and arms were bare.
and adorned by necklace and brace
let's of jet that set off to the best adj
vantage the snowy whiteness of both.
Her fair and classic face was flushed
with a delicate bloom. Her graceful
head had no other ornament thar its
own rich golden-auburn braids and
ringlets. There was shade of deep
sacness upon this stately lady's face,
vet through it all she smiled as she
advanced toward the travellers. and
giving the precedence first to age, Of
fcred her hand to Miss Pinchett, say
ing:
II am very glad to see you, ma'am,
and to thank you very m loh for
bringing Miss Burns so safely to us.
Please take seat"
Miss Pinchett bowed and said:
"Not at all! 1t was quite pleas.
ure," and sat down upon one OF the
rose-colored sofas.
Then the lady turned to Elite. and
drew her to her bosom in a warm EN-.
brace, saying:
"You are welcome, most welcO ne
to my heart, my own dear Esther
Come and sit by me, and let me look
at you, my child!'
And she led little to another sofa
Immediately under gas-light, and
making her sit quite close to herself
threw her arm around her, and, tC
Elites infinite confusion, looked stead
lily in her face, saying. as she perused
each feature of that blushing counter.
ancc:
Yes; you are like your mother.
You have the same Celtic style of
features, the same glittering jet-black