The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-24

II was late Ohristmss eve when my ball
dress was sent home and Marie. my daln-
ty fingered French maid, had finished
braiding my heavy black hair and adjusted
my new headdress, an exquisite diamond
banoeau. Nora brought up the dress nice
ly folded ana Marie sprang to take 1t from
It wrappings and lay 1t on the bed.
AS Marie lifted tho dress and shook It's
rich folds. a slip OF paper fell to the car
pet. It was madamc's bill and was
little startled as my eye ran over it-s2oo!
But then the trimmings. rich lace and
cord dor, were perfect. 1t was an expen-
sive dress, but didn't think 1t would be
quite that, and Mr., Gordon said that
money had been getting tight for some
time back. wouldn't show him the bill
iust vet, 30 thrust 1t Into drawer of
my dresser and turned to Marie, who stood
waiting to dress me.
was contemplating my reflection In
the mirror with much complancency when
the door opened, and Mr. Gordon came In
For a moment was half frightened at his
pale face and grave air, but he said: u
only stopped for a moment, Mrs. Gordon,
10 say that shall not be able TO join you
nj madllne's tonight business mars
will keep me down town late.
Before | could ask him what he thought
OF my dress he passed ont of the room aud
presently heard the street door close. II
was nothing new for rue to attend parties
without the escort OF my husband, for
somehow ne was always Immersed in bus
mess, neither was it new for Mr.. Gordon
10 look grave or pale: for he hal lost his
fresh color these late years.
At length was ready and was driver
to the home OF Madame Stapleton,
One ball is so similar to another In the
world of fashion that to recount how the
hours passed in madamo's drawing room.
would be to tax your patience. Surlcien
10 say that It was long after the midnlgh
chime had rung I was handed from m
carriage 10 my own door by the mos. DIS
1inuguished gentleman OF my set.
The atmosphere of the drawing room
was deliciousy warm In contrast with ID,
temperature OF tho sharp December nigh
without, II was pleasant 10 sit thuro with
my dainty slppercd feet over the register
Rnd the waves OF lustrous silk ha' hing
Tho carpet and reflect that I swan on IL,
sopmost wave of the sea of fashion IL III,
city around me, and the Christmas CL,:Ie,
ringing out from the church towers and
the warm air stealing mp from tbs regis
ter sooihed my senses to delicious calm
ness
Suddenly, while ! sat thinking. from me
dim corners of the drawing room seemed
10, glide out train OF figures. eacA dres3e;
in questionable garments OF bygone days;
and yet, strange to say, each garuent
was recognized by me ms something tia
had worn In those days; and in the !lu'
of each figure turned toward me J hchcC
my own The figures glided around me
ihen seated themselves on the opposite
side of the apartment, each looking u M
steadily and with my own dark eyes.
Gradually the figure nearest my right
seemed to invest itself with the accesSo
rie5 of picture, and a thin mist aid ILL
others from my sight.
child of ten summers stood Ia tn,
yard of an old brown farmhouse. Will
the westering light OF tho sunset stream
ing over the building and bathing he
tiny fingers In flood Of gold | did no
speak even In a whisper while the pictut,
of my entire childhood WAS unrolled be,
fore me. but thoughts like these gidoL
nthwart my brain: WAS ! once tha
happy hearted, wild romping child who's,
greatest care was 10 please her parents
and whose greatest grief the loss Of somC
woodland pet?'
Even while / sat gazing, the scene slow
ly faded aud ont from the dim mists that
had EMBODIED the figure nearest the child
rose fair and clear the second picture
before me.
4 slender, beautiful maiden stood in tho
moonlight beneath the rustic porch drapce
with honeysuckles that climbed over the
farmhouse door. She wore a neat bu
simple dress of pale pink muslin, and {
single white rose plucked from the bust
beside the doorstep, adorned her hair
Suddenly a hrm step came up the wall
leading to the farmhouse. IL was younA
aud frank faced man who Joined h5s; an
Daisy blushed and they went in and sh
down together In the moonlight by III,
west room window. Eloquence was no
necessary to love in those days and Dais.
and Charles Gordon sat long In the moon
light and talked together. Charles Away
thought he must leave at nine but he
IN no haste tonight. Ten, half past ten
eleven goes by, and there they stand Il
tho moonlight. When they part tende
kiss burns on Daisy's cheek and slende
gold ring CLEANS on her finger. She an
Charles are betrothed and she goes I
her chamber to sleep tho hrst dream 9
u happy plighted love.
For a moment ] stretch out my hand
toward the maiden in the farm house, b'
the scene grows dim, the figures fade IA
another picture unfods before my view.
IL was q bridal scene. Charles ma
grown more grave looking. for he WI
atbuslness man now, and three years n
added lustre TO Dalsy's fuller figure 30
were trusting and beloved, ANA saw nor
bu. clouds of gold in the long vista OF the
future.
j could only sit, and gaze longlngly al
eagerly while the phantasm faded ava
from my gaze. Another picture now ro
before me.
saw myself clad in cheerful mornir
robe. Charles had prospered in bushes
gold poured into his Golfers. and VII
gold came Fashion, with Ambition M
Pride, and score OF demons In her trai
1t whispered
you are young and you are beautiful
In the great world you would be an a
knowiedged queen. Put your husband
wealth 10 use! Let not your beauty faS
out in the nursery. your child VIII q
on well enough In the nurses care; III
In tho world and shine like queen.'
And this was the beginning OF u
shadow which darkened the picture. So
the glitter OF the ball, the splendid furn
ture, fhe silver plate the gay equipa'
and the stately apartments. and amid
II all, Through the opened door OF a ne!
lecicd nursery saw a pale, drugged
year -old child slowly dying! The end cam
The tiny rosewood casket was closed ov.
the features az the child who died OF mott
erly neglect, saw a strong man bend
conyulsed grief oyer his dead boy. and the
IN mt silently. and growing grayer do