Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-12-27
CHAPTER Xxx

violet Randolph was standing in her
pretty sleeping room, where the green
vine leaves shaded the window, a pfct-
ure Of pleased wonder and surprise.
A handsome bali dress lay spread out
before her. She said to herself that it
was realized dream of what a ball
dress should be-a rich white silk.
draped with the most exquisite lace,
and trimmed with lilies Of the valley;
and with it lay everything needful for
ball room toilet, even down to the
White silk shoes, that might have been
intended for Cinderella. There was a
superb fan, with lilies of the valley
most eXquisitely worked on the white
satin, q SOFT warm "sortie du bal" of
rich satin, embroidered with lilies, a
magnificent bouquet of white lilies
shrOuded in their dark green leaves.
and spray Of pearls shaped like lilies,
Tor the hair.
Violet, as she looked at her treas
ure~ thought more of their beauty
than their cost. 1t was not in girl-na-
ture to keep the sight of these beauti-
III. things to herself She went to
Mrs. Carstone, and found that lady in
state Of subdued ecstacy, because her
milliner had made train of rich ruby
velvet for her dress of white brocade
Will you come and look at my ball
dress?" Violet said, after she had duly
admired her friends. II should like
to know If it is suitable. 1 have had
no experience"
AS the stately lady sailed along the
corridors, she resolved to be very kind
and condescending. She must praise
the dress, no matter what it looked
like-that was imperative. No doubt
it was some cheap, pretty costume that
Mr. Randolph had bought. But all
her condescension vanished in a mist
of wonder when she saw Violet's mag
nificent toilet
1T is exquisite!" she cried, with up
raised hands, perfectly exquisite!
You must let Barton, my maid, dress
you" Then she examined the lace
w NY IliS Is real. she cIl6u, his
IS real lace, Mrs. Randolph
1T is?" asked Violet, serenely, with
ut the least idea of the value of real
lace.
Then Mrs. Carstone looked tixedly at
fe beautiful, queenly girl before her.
My dear" she inquired, in strange
tone Of voice, what is your husband?"
My husband" echoed Violet. in a
tone of wonder at the question. "He
is an artist, you know, Mrs. Carstone."
He must be very successful artist
to give you a toilet of this descrip-
ton"
He is successful" said Violet,
proudly. How can he be otherwise
with his talent?"
He must make a great deal of
money to purchase such things as
these; and I-pray do not think me
rude, my dear-I understood you to say
that he had some little trouble about
money. Do you know The cost of this
really magnificent PRESENT."
No" laughed Violet; Il have never
bought such things"
Including the lace, which is real
and the pearls, which are very fine
ones, your husband could not have
paid less than two hundred pounds fol
IT," said Mrs. Carstone at have a lace
lounce, not SO fine as this, which cos
me over eighty guineas."
1.-TWO hundred pounds!" cried Vic
let, aghast. 1T surely cannot be-"
Il should think it was more, if any
thing" replied Mrs. Carstone.
dc excuse me for one minute, Vic
let exclaimed, hastily. 81 will no
have it. Randolph must send it bacl
again
Then she tlew, rather than walked, t
her husbands studio.
Randolph" she cried, Mrs. Cal
stone says the things you have pur
chased for me have cost two hundre
pounds! Is it true?"
NO" he replied, they were With
that sum-
II am so glad she said, her fac
Frightening. "They are so beautiful
and I should like to keep them; but
would not if they cost that sum-"
Violet, never mind Mrs. Carstone