The age-herald., 1898-12-18
g
 ..A SUBSIDIZED CHRISTMAS PARTY. } Bf W.

BY HENRY W. WALKER.

uttered word I could tell by his face that he had spent happy Chrlstmas. ..,--
 T -cv6. has ticer 6s iii a ~ said Rudkin. ''They were all very nice peo- pie. and l like this English idea of hiring guests. There is nothing obnoxious about it after You understand 1t. If 1t weren't for the ingenuity of these society promoters person would rust in this great big town. It is so large that it would be impossible to get up an acquaintance for people. l serutinized the guests, and l am satished that they would be poked away in lodging houses if 1t were not for this new method. l will draw the line in one instance, how ever, that of the sweetest, most charming girl ever met in my life. Yes, l am in love, and she has already promised never to attend a social affair without my pn- qualified approval. Let me tell you about 1t. On the night of the party 1 was ob- serving the different types of people, who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying them- selves, notwithstanding the oddness of the situation, when my attention was drawn to face which l was sure did not portray happy mind It was that of young girl, perhaps twenty, who had come with her mother, unwillingly, 1 soon learned. l was interested, and, slowly walking to where she stood, carelessly glancing at some photographs, said in my most engag- ing manner: Is not this a pleasant gath ering?
 " T don't know, indeed, and I'm sure don't care, she said in the most disdain- full manner.
 Now, this was rude. and would have seemed unpardonable but for the nobility of her countenance-marred to be sure, by an expression of bitterness and hauteur, incon- slseent with her youth
 Della; l am snocKed,' said her mother one or those aristocrats whose pride had fled long ago in the battle for existence, and who was perfectly satisfied to be part of the fringe of society.
 Tt was plain to be seen that her pretty daughter despised the role which she was playing.
 MT. Rudkin, you will forgive her. She is vexed because we were late' "A whitening glance was the girls only in- dication that she had heard this, for. her thoughts seemed far away.
 shall try to recall your daughters good numor, l now remarked, and indeed I was most anxious to see that bewitehng face in It's natural beauty. The mother moved gladly away and I addressed the daugh- ter.
 Miss Rushmore what has disnleasea you?
 You have displcased me- she said. and hate you and every one of your kind who can summon me and my mother to pa rade like puppets in your parlors to amuse you She blazed while tears were near at hand, her emotions being betrayed by the break in her voice.
 Miss Rushmore, 1 would give my for tune not to have been one Of the offenders. ask your pardon and forgiveness 1 was lonely man, but had I been so fortunate as 10 have known you, this assemblage would not have taken place. You, who are not a stranger in strange land can afford to pity me. Besides, did not know that peo- pie could be sent here against their wishes
 suppose you are not to blame" she said, {" and you do seem different from the others, but l would sooner do honest work than roam aimlessly in the drawing rooms or the fnsolent rich-the newly rich and the tired rich-but mamma thinks that work would degrade me and injure my prospects,
 The sheer was coming back. It had left me the happiest man in the world l ven- was so pleasing to behold.
 wish you would let me take care of your prospects, said I. You would make me the happiest man in the world" ven- tured, and then you would not even see the others" :"
 She looked at me for several minutes and then a radiant smile lit up her face
 I like you, she said, and if you care to you may call upon my mother and me-
 Then may hope,' said I, and she look ed her answer as she turned to her mother who had approached, all graciousness, to say it was time to go.
 Not long after this attended an enter tainment at church where Rudkin and Miss Della Rushmore, the latter so altered, were the observed of all observers. The guests this time were not hired, and it Is ten to one that as usual the day before Christmas I will receive card from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rudkin, happily settled in a London suburb.