The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-08-19


4 l. her faded ball bouquet on
RoN one side, and her white
cashmere opera cloak on the other,
while she herself sank with an air Of
utter WEAKNESS upon sofa drawn IN
front of the fire.
She was n tau, brilliant complexioned
blond, with big blue eyes like dolls,
golden hair, and lovely red mouth
that put you in mind OF cluster Of
dead ripe scarlet cherries, and her dress
was Of white, mistlike tulle, lOOped
up by bouquets OF blue forget me nots,
and floating blue ribbon.
Mrs. Evelyn stood patiently by pick
ing up the flowers, folding the opera
cloak with the snowy silk lining on the
outside and stirring the fine that il
might blaze up with more CHEEKY
lustre.
"Will you have cup Of tea. love,
before you 90 to bcdY she asked, wist-
fully.
mo, wontw answered the young
lady, undutifuly. "Thank goodness,
I'm not such a bundle OF whims as
you are, mamma. Why don't you take
out my harpins, instead of standing
staring there"
II didn't know you were ready,
dear" said the mother, advancing with
nervous haste
"Therep calculated Theodore, tartly;
"yOuve torn my dress trail with your
clumsy feet I've a great mind not 10
let you come near me"
'Tm very sorry, darling" apOlogized
the meek matron turning red and pale
as she began 10 take down the lux
IriaDt masses OF T'heodora's golden
hair
What good does il do 10 be sorry -
snapped the girl. It's what you al
ways say. Do make haste; didn't
tell you was tiredT
did you have pleasant evening,
TheoW ventured her mother, after a
few minutes Of silence, during which
the beauty yawned several times.
70 Pleasant enough" was the ungra-
clous response.
"Was Mr.. St Emil thereY
Yes said Theo, reused into some
thing like animation at the mention
OF that name; "and that piece Of pink
andwhite wax, his lady mamma. Oh,
how anxious he was that | should
make favorable impression on the
old woman
"And your
"Oh, played sweet simplicity 10 per
fection-said Yes, ma'am,' and No,
,poiompV onJ rhoodnro IourboJ hoio
terously at the recollection. How de-
lighted St Emil wasr'
'Then he ls really interestedY
'Tnterested2 or course he u.s. Mark
my words, mamma, shall be Mrs. st.
Emil yet"
Mrs. Evelyn's eyes sparkled at the
alluring prospect
"Only," went on Theodore, langudly,
surveying her pretty face in the cheval
glass, "the idea of such mother.ln
law almost damts me. lie thinks so
much of due reverence being paid her,
and ], for one, can't fall down and wor-
ship any old woman alive. But it's
just as well | suppose, TO keep up the
Illusion until after were married"
"Oh, certainly, certainly" said the
discreet mother, eagerly.
''EIow ST. Emil would stare if he
heard me hauling you over the Goals
sometimes" cried Theodore, with a
laugh. "He thinks ones mother is
next door 10 ones guardian angel, the
foolr
"Theo, don't talk So" said Mrs. Ev-
elyn, a contraction as If of pain pass
ing over her pale, worn face.
'I'm sure I've heard you call papa
a fool"
no Theo, you haven't"
"Then the more goose you" sOld
Theo, yawning fearfully. "Do make
haste. Aren't you most through?'
''Just through now, darling"
And Theodore Evelyn, dismissing her
mother just as she might have dis
missed any hired and pensioned slave,
lay down 10 her prayerless pillow 10
dream Of wedding clngs and a bridal
altar wreathed with white blossoms.
For she was quite sure of Grant st.
Emil now.
Mamma" called Theo, the next
morning, and Mrs. Evelyn mcekly
obey the summons, coming from the
back room, where she was busily en-
gagged in ripping apart the breadths
OF rOse-cOlored dress belonging TO
Theo, which that young lady had
taken fancy TO have altered.
Mamma, here are two tickets TO the
private masquerade at Mrs. Almy's,
with Mr. st. Emirs compliments-one
for you and one for me. How ridicu-
lous!-the idea of you at a mas
queradev'
Mrs. Evelyns face had lighted up.
II should really like to go for once
Theo," she said hesitatingly. IL bsvo
never had an opportunity OF seeing you
in society, darling, and"
"Oh, botherw interrupted Theodore
''as IL that made any difference. But
Grant thinks a young lady shouldn't
attend a masquerade, Of all places in
the world, without her mothers
chsperonage, and suppose I must
humor him. What shall I personate
mamma? should like to go as Diana
with her bow and arrows. II you CAL
squeeze enough money out of papa fol
. decent costume"