Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-06-04

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mirror obtained full-length view of
myself, feet and all. My first impulse
was to laugh my second to cry and to the
latter | finally yielded. No one came
near me; | heard no one, saw no one,
until in light flowing muslin, white silk
hose, and the tiniest Of all tiny French
slippers, Dell Thompson sailed into the
room, starting with well-feigned surprise
when she saw me, asking how long had
been there, and what was the matter.
Without considering what l was do
ing, ] told her unreservedly about the
shoes and stockings, pointing to my pea
cock feet as proof of what | said. With
all her faults, there was enough of the
woman about Dell to inspire her with a
feeling of pity for me, and after forcing
back laugh she could not well help, she.
said, kindly, "Your shoes are rather
large; but | think, perhaps, l can rem
edy the difficulty"
AT the same time she started to leave
the room. What new impulse came over
her, / never knew; but sure am | that
something changed her mind, for, when
nearly at the door, she suddenly paused,
! saying, 81 know, though, you can't wear
my slippers. so it's of no use trying the
experiment." adding, as she saw how
my countenance fell, 81 wouldn't mind
It If | were you. Nobodyll notice it,
uhless it is Doctor Clayton, who. | be-
lieve, admires small ankles and little
feet; but you don't care for him; he's
old enough to be your father, and, be-
sides that, he thinks you perfect any
way"
Her words and manner annoyed me,
and for moment debated in my own
miRd the propriety of leaving at once;
but l had not seen Doctor Clayton since
he carried me home, and SO l finally
concluded to remain, thinking that
would keep my seat, and on no account
stir when he was looking at me. After
coming to this conclusion, venturcd to
ask Dell where the rest of the company
were, and was told that they were not
invited until. evening,
Until evening"" l repeated then
guess I'll go before they come, for l
shall be afraid to walk home alone"
There's good moon," said she; add
ing, "You must not leave on any ac-
count, for that will spoil all the-pleas-
ure," she said-fun l now think she
means; but I could not fsthom her
then. and never dreamed that she had
invited me there merely to show me up
before her fashionable friends. and make
light of me In the estimation Of Doctor
Clayton.
Come down to the parlor," she said
at last, after arranging for the third
time the heavy braids of her black. beau
tiful hair; and following her, l soon
stood in the presence of Mrs. Thompson,
tall, dark, naughty looking woman,
who, half arising from the sofa, bowed
stiffly, muttering a few words of vel
come as Dell introduced me.
Dropping into the first seat-a large
willow chair near the door, tried to
act natural, but l could not; for turn
which way l would, felt that a pair of
large black eyes were upon ME, scanning
me from my head to my feet; and when
, her linen cambria handkerchief went up
! to her mouth, apparently to stitle a
J cough, was certain that it also smoth
= cred a laugh. Right glad was when
{ both the ladies found an excuse fol
1 leaving the parior, though l did lind il
rather tiresome sitting there alone unit
t the shades Of evening began to fall.
: At last, when it was nearly dark,
: yentured out upon the long piazza, wher,
e. l had not been long, when a gentleman
on horseback galloped into the yard. an,
: in a moment | recognized Doctor Clay
: toms voice. Hastily retreating to tn
e parlor, l had just time to seat mysel
" in a corner where thought | should al
IT tract the least attention, when he or
n tered the room with Dell, whose han
a am sure he held until he saw me; the
% quickly dropping it, he advanced to m
side, greeting me. kindly.
g Just then we heard the sound of fas
/. coming wheels, and in a moment ther
III came round the corner long open ON
id nibus, drawn by four horses, and densel
IL crowded with young people of both sexe
Id l was not much used to the ways Of IL
TX world then, and having been taught thu
III it was not ladylikc to be either rude
" bosterous, wondered greatly that wei
~ bred people should conduct themselv,
fit so badly. Bounding out, and adjustir
.lS their light flowing robes, the young |
e, dies went tripping up the stairs, st
OF talking laughing and screaming SO lou
n. ly thai once | started up, eXcluiuin
ell "Why, what is the matter?"
No With a peculiar smile, Doctor Clayt
- laid his hand on my head in Il very fat
err erly way, saying, MY little girl hasl
en- yet learned that in order to be REIN
he she must be rough and boisterous, and
nd hope she never will. for it is refreshi
ny to find occasionally something femini
RS, and natural"
nd BY this time the guests were asse
Be- bled in the parlor, and when | saw h,
TO tastefully they were dressed, began
ed wish myself anywhere but there. O
it'll by one they were presented to me,
lin at first keeping my seat; but when -
ter tor Clayton whispered to me to sta
lch up, | did so, bending my knees a lit
of so as to make my dress longer, II
nat thus partially hide my feet, But t
could not be done, and like two ba
lty CANNON boards they set out at right
On giles with the wads of cotton lying
lst- round and hard. The young ladies |
the undoubtedly received description of |
YES for they inspected me closely, ganc
as the while mischievously at Dell, v
les, seemed to be in her elements asking
T." If We're not tired; telling me l lool
this so, and adding, aside, but loud eno'
lite for Doctor Clayton and myself to he
on II should think she would be, for 81
ese been here ever siuce five o'clock
10 noSaihlo ao;J NyhiIn