Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-06-15

come, "and of course you know that
It's to be quite the biggest ball of the
yearIand really, dear, balls are quite
too delightfully."- new and fresh to me.
They hold some wonderful fascina-
tion for me which it is impossible to
explain"
Eyes, Of course, understand" re-
turned Veronica, the blase city cousin,
and she let her big, blue. handsome
eyes travel leisurely over Violet. you
are young and everything is new to
you-glitters, as it were. but really
it seems scarcely credible that but
few months ago you were in the land
Of arithmetic and geography. and now
you are out and quite the rage, I
hear"
Violet laughed lightly and her color
came and went quickly.
Great indeed were the changes that
had taken place "just a few months
ago." for during that time Violet had
grown into an immensely pretty and
graceful girl. There was a sweet,
refreshing simplicity, charming win
someness of manner which the world
ly-wise Veronica foresaw would IN
evitably prove fatal to mankind as
/ whole.
She frowned and fnstinctively felt
that this innocent young cousin of hers
might possibly prove to be somewhat
dangerous rival. Only year and
half previously Veronica had scoffed
at the proposal Of a penniless, though
exceedingly devoted, cavalier, and
haughtily refused to even "hear him
out" and had finally swept from his
presence with the regal air Of a queen
demanding that no further attempt
should be made to address her ON that
subject.
But it is the unexpected that newt
ably happens, and'it certainly occurred
In this case. for through the sudden
death of a wealthy uncle. n railway
hing" Dudley Maitland had succeeded
10 that personage's vast possessions,
and Veronica, reading the turn events
had taken, resolved If possible to re-
cover. by strategy, If by no other
means, the ground she had lost.
Hence her visit to her aunts country
house.
"You won't mind sharing my room,
will you, dear?" cried Violet, as the
little circle sat and chatted over their
afternoon cups of tea, "you see the
house is literally packed and"
"Oh, I shan't mind anything" re-
piled Veronica, deliberately, "that is,
provided 1 have a good time"
ofJ 10
self, 'if could only mar that, not per-
manently, but just temporarily, to
prevent her from attending this ball.
What can-what can I do?"
She walked over to the lookingglass.
She surveyed the accessories on the
dressing-table. A little accident hap
pens so easily, she mentally concluded,
and she lifted her head with an air
of superiority and self-satisfaction
characteristic to her nature. And later
on, when Violet returned to her room
she was delighted to find her cousin
looking so fresh and radiant.
"What pretty hair you have, child"
remarked Veronica later.
Violet only laughed.
"Do you really think so? Mr. Matt
land often declares that it looks as If
I have been playing among the cur
rant bushes, but 1 think he likes 1t
Just the same" replied Violet, inno-
Gently.
"Now, mine absolutely will not
wave" said Veronica, slowly, still re-
garding her cousin-"of course, l
mean not without recourse to pins and
tongs, etc. Naturally curly hair is In
deed something to be right down
thankful for"
as it, really? asked Violet, laugh
ingly.
"It is" And then both cousins
lapsed into silence.
Finally the time arrived for both
girls to retire for the purpose Of lin
gering long over their respective toll
ets-a matter of utmost Importance.
Suddenly there was a loud shrek
of dismay and Violet's loyeliness was
marred.
She dashed into her mothers room
with eyes blinded with scalding tears.
"Look! Oh, lookw she cried, scarce
ly knowing what she said. II shan't
be able to go to tha ball! oh, and Pm
dying to go! Did you ever see such
fright before? Veronica did it, but
It was quite an accidentl Do not scold
her for it," seeing the look of dismay
on her mothers face, "she is as dis
tressed as 1 am. oh, but it does
seem hard; I shall be marked for
weeksw
"But, however did 1t happen, dear?"
asked Mrs. Grant, as soon as she
was able to speak.
"The tongs, dear" replied Violet,
still sobbing. "You see. she was doing
her hair and the hot tongs sprang
from her fingers and struck my face!
1t was purely an accident, but I am
so sorry"
$50 am I, Vi" returned the elder
woman, $50 am l."
Apparently Veronica was terribly