Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-10-16

children's party, and inviting her then
and there to go to the dressmaker's to
have her measure taken, so that the
work of making over the dress could
be begun at once.
Mile could hardly believe her good
fortune, and for the next few days
could think of little else but the ap-
proacning party and the beautiful
pink gown.
At last the day came, and when she
was really dressed in all her fnery,
her delight knew no bounds.
She threw her arms about Miss
Testers neck exclaiming, why, you
are really my fairy godmoIner." And
this godmother had provided very
complete outfit, even to the slippers,
which though not of glass, were OF
the prettiest pink kid and an exact
match for the pink stockings which
were of the same shade as the dress.
How lovely Millie looked, and how
she enjoyed staring at herself in her
friends long mirror. 1t was hard to
tell which was the prettier sight, the
child herself, or her innocent delight
in her appearance.
The party itself was fairyland to
her, and the beautiful lawn and gar
den, lighted by Chinese lanterns as
darkness fell, the luxurious mansion,
the gayly dressed children and best
of all the music for a small orchestra
was provided, and there was dancing
on the broad piazza.
There was lull in the music while
! the performers were having refresh
ments, and Mile was playing an eX-
in the summer house, when a child
came running to join them, he said,
Mrs. Hancock wants some one to
play for Going to jerusalem and l
was afraid she would ask me, so got
out of it. Somebody told her that you
could play, Mile Currier, but she
does not know where you are, so you
are all right
Mile flushed at the mere thought
Of playing before SO many people, and
she was tempted to remain where she
was, but Miss Testers influence made
| itself felt She did not formulate it.
but she felt unconsciously that since
her kind teacher had done so much
! for her, it was only right she should
make some use of what had been ST
generously given her. And so, de-
spite the remOnstrance of the others,
she left the game and returned to
the house.
! Very timidly she made known her
errand to Mrs. Hancock, who smiled a
kind approval upon her, as she thank
ed her, and told her that the children
had run away, thinking the game was
given up but would probably soon re
turn. In the meantime would not Mil
| lie play one Of her pieces? Mrs. Han
cock asked.
There were several people in the
! drawing room, among them a gentle
man whose appearance had created
some excitement from it's being so III,
| expected.
Mr.. Darrah was an old friend of the
Hancocks, but it was several years
| since they had seen him, owing to his
| long absence abroad. He happened
, to be travelling through their part of
the country, and finding that he
! should be obliged to pass the night at
Eastern Junction, only ten miles dis
tant from Hardwicl, he had hired a
horse and carriage and driven over to
call upon his friends.
They were delighted to see him,
and Hospitality urged him to spend the
night. He declined the invitation,
however, as he wished to take the
first train in the morning from the
! junction, and so must drive back that
evening.
! They assured him that he could not
escape dining with them, as they had
| postponed their dinner until o'clock
on account Of the children's party.
He expressed his pleasure at being
able to do so, and they we're in full
tide of earnest conversation when
Mile came into the room.
He was in the midst of a sentence
when his eyes fell upon her, and he
suddenly stopped, evidently much i'm
pressed in some way by her appear
ance. He watched her intently while
she played, and at the close, when
others were applauding her for having
done so remarkably we'll, he went
over to the piano and began to talk to
her.
Mrs. Hancock, seeing his interest In
the cnlld, proposed to Mile that she
should take him to the refreshment
tent for an ice. The arrangement
was most agreeable to both Of hel
guests who were soon on such
friendly terms that the gentleman
went as far as to admire his com
panion's dress.
eff you can buy such pretty things
in Hardwick," said he, 81 shall advise
my lady friends to come here to do
their spring shopping"
Il guess you were never in our
Hardwick stores,' answered Mile,
laughing merrily at the idea. mo, in
deed, this dress came from Paris"
and not without pride, she glanced at
her companion to observe the effect
she was producing by her surprising
statement.
He looked as startled as she could