The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-08-08
THE BALL DRESS.

SuesWlSh Ddu cdme UP. 1ueEe WAS
nothing with which to purchase suit
able costume. My brother Ned had
been to college one term and was strug-
Cling for means to pay for another. l
paid my grandma visit, who kindly
offered me the wherewitllal to buy q
dress. thought Of Neds condition
and made up my mind to turn the mon
ey over to him.
Grandma" said, pray excuse me,
hut IL 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 BALI" demanded grandma.
81 shant go to the ball." said. chok.
ing down sob.
"Oh. yes, you will" she replied. 1--WE
accepted Mrs. CAeswick's invitation.
and you shall not offend her by stay.
ing at home. You must 60"
Every we'll" / answered. II shall be
obliged to wear MY old white muslin.
I've nothing else.
"Grandma. don't you think had bet.
ter send an excuse TO Mrs Cheswick:"
l vrntured to suggest at last. II really
don't care to 90 10 the ball"
Grandma only laughed and shrugged
her shoulders in her own peculiar way.
at will have 10 be the white muslin,
after all, fear. child,' she said, with
n sigh
And the white muslin it was.
The glitter of the ballroom and the
sound Of the music and the sweet gen
tlcness Of Mrs Cheswick's manner
soon treasured me and quite put to
flight my msgivings. Before had
been at Bloomington two hours l had
danced not only the first set with Ma
jor Chcswick. but half a dozen others.
He took me ont to supper too. aud
when he babe Inc good night at the
carriage door he picked up a withered
cotntiowcr that fell from my hair and
fastened it in his buttonhole.
"Well." questioned grandma when we
met at breakfast next morning, what
aho1t the bail? How did you like it!'
ooh, grandma" cried, "it was the
happies, night Of my whole Iife!"
''In spite of the old white muslin?'
"Oh didn't think of it, grandma
not once. was so delighted with the
ball that | forgot all about myself
All this happened in October, and
that very day had to leave for home,
where found that Ned had already
gone to college. having had to start
earlier than he had expected.
I'VE would not let you know" said
papa, lest you should miss the ball"
1t was growing dusk when returned
home from my usual afternoons ride a
few weeks later, and cheerful light
CLEANED from the sitting room win
dows.
Papa did not, however, come to meet
me as usual, so cantcred around to
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-" I said
to myself, "is busy and does not hear
me"
When had finished nay simple toilet,
I hurried down stairs and burst into
the room. saying:
Here am, safe and sound, papa,
and I've had such grand gallop, and
there's letter from Ned, and hope
you haven't let the mullins burn
II am afraid have, my dear" he an
swcrcd, for | have company. Major
Chcswck is here believe YOU are al
ready acquainted with him|
looked around and now, for the first
time. saw that another person was in
the room.
II beg pardon, Miss Gladys. trust
YOU haven't quite forgotten me, hNt !
fear you nave. lint am, | assure you.
jor Chcswick. and thought would
just run down ana see how you are all
doing over here said he.
Major Cheswick spent week in the
neig,borlood and every evening found
lin our guest
"Such n pleasant time I've had he
said one afternoon. standing beside me |
while arranged the autumn leaves he
had gathered, "Eut it is over, must
20 home Tomorrow"
''Iomorrow"
eyes, tomorrow. Shall you miss me !
just n liIlet Don't say no. Don't take |
back the sweet confession your eyes
have this minute made. ! love you,
Gladys. This is why came fell in ,
love with You the night we met at my
mothers ball"
"Oh, Major Chcswick' The night |
wore my white muslin dress"
His eyes fairly danced with suppress |
ed laughter as spoke.
"Ycs, your white muslin. I've heard /
all about your BAH dress, Gladys" he |
said. taking my hand, ''and regard it !
as n robe of honor. thought it the
prrttiest dress had ever seen and the
wcarer the one woman in the world for |
me-thc only one have ever cared TO !
make my wife. Don't turn away" for
was averting my head TO hide the
happy bushes. Don't leave me in s,s.
pcnse. Give me my answer now,
Gladys"
| did not say "Ycs," but suppose my
eyes answered him. At any rate when
we parted on the following day l was ,
mis- hstrothcd bride and today am bis
happy wife.