Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-02-05
Mr.. J. Holt Leigh.
Mrs. stephen rreshtieId. At
home, Monday, December 2.
Dancing, 1890. rancy Dress.

.
My name and the words Fancy.
Dress" were written, .ne rest was
printed.
would here mention that, at that
time. | entertained feelings of sincere
admiration for Mrs. Freshfeld's daugh.
ter Dolly. She was more than ordtna'
rily good-looking. and, in addition, |
thought, well.mannered, and of a nice
disposition.
Her father entertained a sincere re-
gard for me. Her mother was an in
valid. and one seldom saw her; but |
felt that she, too. liked me. The only
other member OF the family was Miss
Freshfield's brother charlie. He was
ten years old, and this boy, for some
reason or another took a dislike TO
me. He was boy of the most obiec-
tIonable type, implsh and rude. Miss
Freshicld, curiously, was attached
to him. Being a boy, and the only
one he was spoilt.
Well, spent some time in thinking
out what costume | should wear. |
finally decided on a clowns dress.
The night of the dance arrived.
drove up in a brougham. An aggra.
waiting incident at the very start was
that a number OF gamins sighted me
near the door. This was especially
annoying to me, who hold that it Is
only outsiders who attract attention
to themselves, and that he is well.
dressed who does not do so. AS |
alighted the unwashed raised a cheer
and INDUCED in some stupid gutter hui
NOR. AS usual, there was no constable
near. Nor was my temper improved
by the fact that, as Is invariably the
case at Inverness Place, was kept
fuzzy three minutes before the bell was
answered AnG, when the door at last
opened. the servant forgot her place
and guffawed. II was an impertinence
for her to be amused. To judge by
the number of hats and coats in the
cloak room. was late. told the gig
Cling fool of a servant not TO an
nOunce me, and has,..y made my way
to the ballroom. On my way ] passed
several couples (who seemed startled
by mel in ordinary evening dress,
That, in my opinion, was what spoiled
so many Fancy Dress Balls, Either
all ought to be in fancy dress or none
at all. Miss Freshfleld was standing
with her father, just at the entrance
to the room. They, too, curiously,
We're in ordinary evening dress. She
looked her very best, and at sight OF
her my bad temper seemed to vanish,
Here we are again." | said.
Miss Freshfield appeared to be GOV.
cred with confusion. She at first turn.
ed white, and then crimson, and then
with a smile (which was almost a
laugh said, "Oh, thought you were
never coming"
AS for her father, he seemed scared
out of his life. Good gracious, Mr.,
| Leigh" he said. you of all people!
| then looked about me and burst
! into a perspiration.
There We're fully a hundred people
there; dancing had stopped, and every
one was staring at me. ! was tie only
guest in fancy dress.
| | turned angrilv to Mr.. Freshfeld
what ) the meaning OF this, sir?"
asked.
81 ask vou," he replied gravely.
1T is breach Of hospitality" | said,
You invite me to a Fancy Dress Ball
Fancy Dress I" he interrupted,
Whatever put that INTO your head ?
Really, Mr.. Leigh. must repeat it;
am surprised at your coming here like
this"
Fortunately" | answered, curbing
my temper with difficulty, Il have kept
the card"
At that stalked out of the room
dignified in spite of the costume.
drove back, furious, Arrived home
at once looked at the card. But had
never been in any doubt about it,
There stood Fancy Dress" right
enough.