Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-12-07
AsS8kyss2sSS S{SsSHeX|5eSSsSs9
By Marion v KHolH,'IFa

maids ideas were better than Tie ;--!s-
tress'.
Indeed, my lady," said the waiting
! woman, ''of course your ladyship KNOWS
best, but l think white satin and di,-
monds out of place at a small family din
ner: it is not as though there was u par
lived with Lady Hemyr" and
never WAS IN fuiI dress on such occas:ous.
I Usually ViolaEte, Lady Selwyn. iroiitc,!
! by Pauline's hints, but now she said hur-
riedly:
: Lord Selwyn wishes it. You do not
understand"
So the polished shoulders and the beau
tiful neck were barred. The slender. girl
iAh figure YVES rohed in white satin tho
might have done Tor court dress: snite
of magnificent diamonds completed 4 toilet
admirably suited for state ball or
grand fete. but quite out of place at
small family dinner"
Violante was in blissful ignorance: she
looked Mt herself in the large mirror, and
thought with a smile OF girlish pride in
her own beauty. that she should surely
eclipse Miss Leigh.
She was somewhat startled on entering
the drawing room at the difference be-
tween herself and the two ladies waiting
there She looked at Miss Leigh's dress.
1t was of rich. simple black lace, drawn
up around the white throat. and relieved
by n few 'rich red ruhies:" the beautiful
shoulders cleaned Ike marble through
the lace: il WIS twice as effective as an!
low dress could ever be: and 1t suddenly
flashed across Lady Seiwyn that in choos-
ing white satin and diamonds she had
made great mistake.
The conscious ness that she mad made
mistake caused Niolante to lose much Of
the grace that was natural 10 her.
viii they notice twill even the ser
wants laugh?" she thought to herself.
Mrs. Selwyn looked in cain disapproval
of the gorgeous toilet.
Il am afraid you will be disappointed
Lady Selwyn," she said. You evidently
expect visitors, and by Vivian's wish we
are quite alone"
The fair young face flushed 50 deeply
that Mrs. Selwyn could not pursue the
subject. She did not understand why,
but she saw that her daughter-in-law was
i'll at ease Nor did Vioante feel much
more comforted when Vivian entered the
room, and opened his eyes in wonder nj
her dazzling splendor, then glanced quick
ly at the quiet. graceful figure Of Miss
Leigh.
There was a smile on the naughty, beau
tiful lips of that young lady, that made
the young wife, she scarce knew why.
uncomfortable.
Dinner is served" said the butler and
then they went TO the dining room. Lady
NioIante detesting the rustlinG flow of her
rich white satin as she swept along.
The dining room was superb apart
ment-large. lofty. brilliantly lighted: the
huge sideboards were one blaze of gold
and silver plate: the table was ma gnifi-
Gently set out: servants in livery were all
in attendance. The young girl, to whom
this was all new and strange, felt her
heart sink within her, and longed for the
familiar aspect of home.
There was Il chair at the head of the
table and one at the foot. For a moment
there was some little embarrassment. then
Mrs. Selwyn said:
Lady Violante, will you take your
place.
1t was no wonder that, dazzled by the
unusual splendor. she shrank back, and
said timidly:
'Oh. no; pray not now. Indeed. would
rather not"
Again that quiet smile on Miss Leigh's
face, and Vivian looked at his wife with
a slight expression of impatience.
Pray be seated, Violante," he said; "of
course my mother would not dream Of
taking your place"
Already nervous with the conviction
of the mistake she had made over her
dress: confused. and afraid she had erred
still more by her hesitation in accepting
her rightful place, the young girl sat
down, and the dinner began.
! 1t would have been kinder under the
| circumstances to have allowed her to
have her own way, and to have sat quiet
! TO her. What should she know, poor
| child, of French dishes, of rare wines, of
entrees? She who had been accustomed
TO the little dining parlor at home and the
attendance of one maid servant. She.
! who had herself superintended the cook
ing of the homely little dinners that pleas
ed her father best.
| She grew awkward and confused. She
felt that she WAS not filing her place with
! the dignity suited to a Lady Selwyn. Her
husband noticed it. and tried by kindly
words and kindly smiles to put her more
at her ease Yet. when he saw Miss
Leigh's quiet eyes scrutinizing her. he felt
his own face grow warm, and he half
wished ''Violante had been more formed. y
There was another ordeal before her.
The ladies withdrew, and she dreaded the
prospect of an hours tete-a-tete with the
stately mother-in-law and the beautiful,
naughty lady. WHOSE dark, bright eyes
seemed to read the secrets of all her little
| fears.
| She tried in her simple way to talk to
them. Mrs. Selwyn was not unkind-she
was too ladylike and well-bred to make
the young girl feel the difference between
them: but it was not quite in human ma
ture to get up all at once an affection for
| the one who had thwarted every plan and
wish and hope Of her life.
Violante felt more and more humbled.
Who was she, to take her place among
such brilliant and accomplished ladies' :!
How was she to hold her own? She felt
more like an ignorant, unframed school
/ girl, than as the mistress of that gor-
;eous home should feel. 1t was . relief to
her when the evening paded
"You made a little mistake to-nizh,
about the satin and diamonds. did y"u not
my dariing?" asked Vivian. when the
| were alone.
She looked up at him with glist.nn-
eyes. "Oh, Vivian. l was so nsha med an,
So distressed" she cried. What woui'
, they think of me? But you told me -
cherche toilet"
Recherche does not always mean de
co!lete, or yet fine." he replied: ''it mcah'
what Miss Leigh's dress was-distin
cuished, graceful and 20 contrived rs tt
look beautiful without attracting atten
/ ton
When shall learn all these things!
she said despairingly. "Oh, Vivian. it il
hard to he fine lady"