The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1902-12-05

ural result OF her afiictIon. but moth
Ing worse.
The remaining weeks az the seaside
passed uneventfully. Emma had been
rather impatient TO get back 20 town
In view of the preparations necessary
for the ball, and for launching her
/ young charge into the gay world. The
next eight weeks were spent largely
In shopping. Eleanor was carried of
In the coupe after breakfast every
morning. on n tour OF the stores. II
took a fortnight before all the materi.
ais were chosen. for Mrs. Stagg wouli
have nothing but tho choicest and
the best. scrutinizing. considering and
reconsidering. hesitating and coming
back TO shops after leaving them
once. and then leaving them again
without purchasing. And when the
fabrics and colors were fixed upon. an.
other fortnight was spent in trying on
and altering and trying on again un.
al Emma herself. TO say nothing OF
the fortunate young person In whose
behalf all this WEAKNESS of the flesh
was being undergone. felt fairly ready
to drop. But TO break down NJ this
stage was out OF the question.
In the fashionable circles OF the CITY
anticipation as 10 the grand ball 20
be given by the Harold Stages in
honor OF their niece was running ram.
pant. Rumor said that IL was 10 be a
most magnificent affair. and Mrs.
stage was firmly resolved TO prove
rumor ignorant OF the real truth. She
lay awake at night planning the min.
utest details OF the occasion; with her
own eyes she superintended the pol.
ishing OF the dancing floor until IL was
like wax, and then she was I'm a ~ for
fear Il might be too smooth; she
amazed the caterer by the defniteness
| OF her instructions as TO hot ducks
and fresh relays OF champagne in the
small hours OF the morning. and con.
founded the bandmaster by threats Of
running his business in case the dual
lily of the music was not unexception.
able. The entire house was I'm arms
for month prior TO the great event.
and little else was talked about In the
establishment.
Eleanor too. to Judge by her ojacu.
lations and manner. had caught the in.
lection. She seemed all in "A futter.
| tripping about the house with bright
/ eyes and n becoming flush on her
checks. silently inspecting the ar.
rangcments. now and again gliding
/ over the parquet iloor In fevcrish trial
OF her newly acquired steps and IN.
dergoing. In regard thereto. successive
transports of selt-congratulation and
| despair. Her quiet reserve became
| up.toe ecstacy in presence OF the
sumptuous simplicity OF her own dress
and the exquisite richness OF her
| aunt's. and when on the evening IL.
self the climax was capped for her by
/ her Uncle Harold's gift OF a flashing
diamond star. which he presented to
| her as she made n shy but entranced
entrance. the last OF the three. into the
brilliantly lighted ballroom. with the
4 cheering cnComium. How charming
| YOU look. my dear" there were tears
the little girls eyes. and her voice
was chokcd as she stammered out her
delighted thanks.
Her emotion brought answering
miles 10 Mrs. Stages face. who felt
that 90 last the ugly duckling. thanks
To- her fostering and persistent care.
was beginning 10 do her credit The
I ordeal. before she had been able TO
b"get q proper temper and awake en-.
.husiaFm. had been long aud wearing
| but her labors were finally crowned
with success. Eleanor stood before
her a thoroughly passable young wom-
| an, exqulsitcly dressed. dIfhdent but
not awkward. and free from peculiari.
/ ties. As she surveyed her with lynx
| eyed scrutiny through her iorgnette.
she said To herself with complacency
| that the child certainly looked re.
markably well. and was positively
pretty. Her heart warmed toward her
and she tapped her bare shoulders
caressingly with n fan after detach-
/ ing an offending thread from her
skirt. There was pride and content In
] her heart: she felt that she had done
well by her niece. and that she need
not be ashamed OF her handiwork.
(To be continued)
/