Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-06-06
uooooo>oooooooooo
CHAPTER XVI


"Oh, mother, won't you take this pill
Bow from my head and put another blan-
Eet on my feet, and fix the fire, and give
me some water, or something? Oh, dear,
dear," groaned poor Rose Lincoln, as
with aching head and lungs she did pen
ance for her imprudence in crossing the
wet, slippery street in thin slippers and
gilken hose.
Mrs. Lincoln, who knew nothing of this
exposure, loudly lamented the extreme
delicacy of her daughters constitution,
&mputing it wholly to Mount Holyoke dis
eipline, and wishing, as she had often
done before, that shed been wise and
Gept her at home" Jenny would have
wished so, too, if by this means Roses
Silness could have been avoided, for it
was not very agreeable task to stay in
that close sick-room, listening to the
complaints of her fault-fnding sister, who
tossed and turned and fretted, from
morning until night, sometimes wishing
herself dead, and then crying because she
wanted something, and did not know
what"
''Oh. dear" said she, one evening sew
sral days after the commencement of her
Hlness, chow provoking to be obliged to
lie here mOping with the dulest of all
dull company when there's Mrs. Russelfs
party next week, and I've such a lovely
dress to wear. Why amt [ as strong
and healthy as you?-though [ wouldn't
De so fat for anything. III go to that
party sick or we'll. 1 wouldn't miss it
Cor anything"
Jenny looked up in surprise, asking
Why her sister was so particularly anX-
Bons to attend the party.
Because" returned Rose, "N[ary How
.srd will be there, and you know as well
as I how awkward she'll appear-never
was in any kind of society in her life
Il don't see what inducement that can
DE for you to expose your health said
Jenny, and Rose continued:
II want to see Ida mortified once for
abe might know better than to bring a
green country girl here, setting her up
as something wonderful, and expecting
everybody to believe it just because Miss
8elden said so. Come, bring me my
dress. Jenny; l want to see if the Honi-
4On lace on the caps is as wide as Ida
geldens So
What do you mean?" asked Jenny,
3urning quickly toward her sister, whose
white. wasted face looked filter for a
shroud than a gay party dress.
Il mean what l say" returned Rose;
sim not going to be cooped up here any
longer. I'm going to the party to-mor-
Cow night, if l never go again"
why, Rose Lincoln, are you crazy?'
asked Jenny. You haven't been in the
street yet, and how do you expect to go
eo-morrow night? Mother wouldn't let
you, if she were here
well, thank fortune! she and father
Both are in Southbridge; and besides that
TN Il great deal better; so hand me my
dress
Jenny complied, and reclining on pill
Bows scarcely whittier than herself, Rose
lincoln examined and found fault with
a thin gosamer fabric, little suited for
anyone TO wear on a cold, Wintry night,
and much less for her.
There, | knew it wasn't as wide as
Idas into an eighth of an inch" said she,
measuring with her finger the expensive
lace I'll have some new. Come, Jen-
ny, suppose you go down street and get
1t. for I'm bent upon going" and the
4houghtless girl sprang lightly upon the
ffoor. and chased halfway across the
--oom to show how we'll and strong she
was.
Jenny knew that further eXpostulation
from her was useless, but she refused to
go for the lace, and Sarah, the servant
girl, was sent with a note from Rose
saving she wanted nice article, eight
OF ten dollars per yard.
4 don't believe father would like to
Aaye you make such bill said Jenny,
when Sarah was gone. Mother didn't
dare to tell him about your new dress,
for he told her she mustn't get anything
charged, and he said, too, something
about hard times. Perhaps he's going
so fail. Wouldn't it be DREADFUL"
If Rose heard the last part of this
sentence she did not heed it, for to her
she idea OF her fathers failing was pre-
oosterous. When the dinner bell rang
she threw on a heavy shawl and de-
sccniing to the dining-parlor, remained
Below stairs all the afternoon forcing
Back her cough. and chatting merrily
with a group of young girls who had
sailed to see her, and congratulated her
apon her improved health, for excitement
Sent Il deep glow to her cheek, which
would easily deceive the inexperienced.
The next day, owing to oyereXertion,
Roses temples were throbbing with pain,
and more than once she half-determined
not to go: but her passion for society
WAS strong, ana Mrs. Russells party had
80 long been anticipated and talked about
shat she feIc she would not miss it for the
world, and, as size had confessed to
Jenny, there was also 4 mean curiosity
70 see how Mary Howard would appear
At 4 fashionable party.
'SaturAte my handkerchief with CO.
hgne. ans put the yinaigrette where
Gan reach it while you arrange my hair
aRe Sala to Sarah. who at the usual
8our came up to dress her young mis-
tsess 2nr the evening. There be careful
2Ed MT brush so hard, for that ugly pain
Ia quite gone-now bring me the glass
&sd let me see if l do look like ghost.
Pale delicate folks is always more
Easeres1ing than red, hearty ones" said
4kHe tiatteCing servant.
Mercy, how white 1 ann exclaimed
Rose, glancing at the ashen face reflect