The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-03-22
MRS. WILVERTON'S BALL

8
Mrs. Alison sat in her easy chair and
appcd her foot impatiently as she work
q. Mr.. Alison paced the floor uneasilv
b. frowncd darkly. 1t was evident
B herc was storm brewing in the domes-
Il atmosphere. Indeed, the first faint
rops of the coming shower were already
d cring down on the dainty dress
frS Alison was embrOidering for her
elovcd baby.
FFor PHYS sake, Maud" broke forth
er liege lord, don't begin crying. Why
an YOU be sensible and look at the mat
81 in a sensible way? 1t ought not to
4 50 hard for you to yield to my wishes
rbcn ! have good reasons for asking you
o do it besides
n don't know what you call good rea-
on sobbcd Maud Alison. You don't
nov the Wilvertons that you should
us me to give up attending their ball
uch q magnificent affair as it's going to
'e too"
f'Ihat's the chief of my rcasons-be-
ausc don't know anything about the
al Y. neither for nor against them.
lsprrially do | wish you to decline their
~ siation 20 this ball | don't want nv
VI 10 be known as the chosen friend of
Ipar of adventurers."
Aud. having delivered this decision. Mr.
Alisou walked out of the room.
Il@cat his pretty wife was justly in
|ig INT, as well as at what he had said.
Ap had dried the tears upon her
I'D rs as she muttered "Advcnturers
nd u. As if that We're possible, | am
M that Mr.. and Mrs. Wilverton are as
lea t and refined as any people of our
lc1 alntance. and everybody says the
AL will he magnificent, and everybody is
'0h z, too, and-and-so am |. | will not
)e deprived of every pleasure | chance To
ara for because Fred chooses to dictate
nj hat lordly manner. | shall 20 to the
)aI II spite of him, so there"
And the little foot came down with en-
)ha upon the soft carpet beneath it.
Tin il was that Mr.. and Mrs. Alison
% neuly quarreled this bright morning
nfarly December. The Wilvertons had
sap cards for grand reception and
vail to which nearly all the elite of the
own had responded favorably. Could
Mrs Alison decline? She did not intend
oil all events.
~ it was with rather failing heart
nal le pcnncd her acceptance of the in
'ita % and commenced her preparation
or the great event. She had never vet
q their pleasant married life acted so
WI lily in opposition to her husbands
Flsh hes. But this time she felt herself in
)art eEcuSahle.
IN he had asked me not to GO" she
aiu half penitcntly, Il might have
non It better of it, but | won't be COM
mann didn't marry to become my
lusf has slave, and I'll 90 to this ball
I q 90 show him that can think for
nys and shall act as | choose. whether
le q jects or not"
1p soc the little lady was fast work
ng herself up to high pitch of vir-
uop Indignation. and she was scarcely
llSp "d to pay any attention to the faint
non ions Of conscience, especially when
z az Red TO whisper that she was wrong.
~ night of the ball came around at
'aSt as all things do when patiently
3aied J. for Al breakfast that day Mrs.
aAsc bad announced to her husband her
Alep ION Of attending the ball
tn are not in earnest" he said.
or'd ! am, was the defiant reply.
.W l'parations are all completed. and
n' Leighton has offered me Il seat in
nek catfa@e in case you persist in not
eaco1 la2 me yourself"
certainly shall not co." her husband
anaR erad firmly. "And | cannot believe
W. we wife will go without me-" he
aoqei pleasantly. Give me a kiss. pusS.
ana Naln | come home this evening
uus' Fou will have put all this nonsense
0o1 your head. BY by
na hS wife would not look at him
"nep be kissed her and stamped her foot
au:F = as the door closed behind him
'A4 he heard his ceaseless whistle as he
Ean fown the steps.
/. p not baby" she said to herself,
" ! won't be treated like one. lie
''.1 lini out that | can so without him
he dld come to realizing sense
ldtl when he came to dinner that
Il e's' l;unning lightly up stairs TO
'1 .o ROOM the first sight that met his
" s''a< eu eyes was his pretty wice in full
'esIE robes
% acar," she said. with slight af-
'h oi unconsciousness that she was
aim in the least, you see have
W Y, 10 go, after all. How do you like
-- dressed early on purpose for
S21 n SEQ it,"
Arson had stopped short as she
'p3 N.'I hands uplifted.
4,.t ,' he said in a vexed way.
M .'es does this mean"
Iou forgotten so quickY she
,M'..f M F'd lightly. at is the Wilyertons'
>< know. | told you this morning
.4s i-hIon had offered to cali for me
" lhs me home again. Don't you re.
Il. elhoiaber something you seem to
Iar' is'iten," ," was the cold reply.
y. = That | did not and do not want
80 to this ball. Those Wilveitons
...< III people for you to associate
r.I1 'Aat am certain. The town is
A;.l FUIhors against them, and | pre-
iaI You will find but few decent
'* '1cre tonight"
...< '' nonsense you are talking!" she
L.z 'holhely surprised now. ''Why,
.s|' .ueLe are plenty of the hest people
W nave scarcely met one who has
M % the invitation"
HI| may be, was the quiet reply.
.2 ilahy men who have heard as much
u.< ere than ! have will change their
.|s tonight and keep themselves and
I 'a'nllIes away. Those who do 90