Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-08-12
The Daily Short Story +;
THE BALL DRESS.

| able costume. My brother Nd had
been to college one term and was strug-
Cling for means to pay for another.
paid my grandma a visit, who kindly
| offered me the wherewithal to buy a
dress. / thought of Ned's condition
and made up my mind to turn the mon
ey over to him.
Grandma said, "pray excuse me,
| but if you will allow me to do as
| please with this money I'll send it
home to Ned"
"And what do you propose wearing
at the baIl?' demanded grandma.
al shan't go to the ball." L said, chok-
ing down n sob.
"Oh, yes, you WILL" she replied. 'I've
accepted Mrs. Cheswick's invitation.
| and you shall not offend her by stay
ing at home. You must 60"
Every WELL" answered. 81 shall be
obliged to wear my old white muslin
I've nothing else.
Grandma, don't you think l had bet
ter send an excuse TO Mrs. Cheswick?"
1 ventured to suggest at last 81 really
don't care to go to the ball"
Grandma only laughed and shrugged
her shoulders in her own peculiar way.
EFT will have to be the white muslin,
after all, fear. child" she said, with
a sigh.
And the white muslin il WAS.
The glitter of the ballroom and the
sound of the music and the sweet gen
tleness of Mrs. Cheswick's manner
soon treasured me and quite put to
flight my misgivings. Before L had
been at bloomington two hours had
xx~ftI To
jor Cheswick, but half n dozen others.
He took me out TO supper, too, and
when he babe me good night at the
carriage door he picked up withered
cornfower that fell from my hair and
fastened it in his buttomhole.
WELL" questioned grandma when we
met at breakfast next morning, what
about the ball? How did\you like it?'
"Oh. grandma" cried, 'it was the
happiest night of my whole'lifer'
I'm spite OF the old white muslin?'
ooh, didn't think of 1t, grandma
not oncei' 1 was so delighted with the
ball that 1 forgot all about myself"
All this happened in October, and
that very dayNI had to leave for home,
where 1 found that Ned had already
gone to college, having had to start
earlier than he had expected
1--WE would not let you know" said
papa, '1est you should miss the ball"
1t was growing dusk,when 1 returned
home from my usual afternoons ride
few weeks later, and a cheerful light
cleaned from the sitting room Win
dows.
Papa did not, however, come to meet
me as usual, so 1 cantered around 10
the stable. put UP Beauty and then
went in by the back way and hurried
up stairs TO change my dress.
II suppose the dear old love-" 1 said
to myself, "is busy and does not hear
me-"
When had finished my simple toilet,
I hurried down stairs and burst into
the room. saying:
Here 1 am, safe and sound, papa,
and I've had such n grand gallop, and
there's n letter from Ned, and / hope
you haven't let the mullins burn"
at am afraid have, my dear!' he an
swered, "for 1 have company. Major
Cheswick is here. 1 believe you are al
ready acquainted with him?"
looked around and now, for the first
time, saw that another person was in
the room.
81 beg pardon, Miss Gladys. 1 trust
You haeen't quite forgotten me, but L
fear YOU have. But 1 am, L assure you,
Major CheSwick, and thought would
Just run down and see how you are all
doing over here" said he.
Major Cheswick spent n week in the
neiGhborhood. and every evening found
him our guest
V,I,a fvn no
said one afternoon. standing beside me
while 1 arranged the autumn leaves he
had gathered. But it is over. 1 must
go home tomorrow"
Tomorrow"
Eyes, tomorrow. Shall you miss me
Just little? Don't say no. Don't take
back the sweet confession your eyes
have this minute made. 1 love you.
Gladys. This is why 1 came. 1 fell in
love with you the night we met at my
mothers ball."
"Oh, Major CheswickI The night L
wore my white muslin dress?'
His eyes fairly danced with suppress
ed laughter as 1 spoke.
Eyes, your white muslin. I've heard
all about your ball dress, Gladys" he
said, taking my hand, "and regard it
as n robe of honor. 1 thought it the
prettiest dress L had ever seen and the
wearer the one woman in the world for
me-the only one 1 have ever cared TO
make my wife. Don't turn away" for
1 was averting my head to hide the
happy bushes. Don't leave me in sus-
pense. Give me my answer now,
Gladys"
1 did not say yes" but I suppose my !
eyes answered him. At any rate. when
we parted on the following day was
his betrothed bride and today am his |
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