Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1905-06-24
CINDERELLA.
BY GLENN4

| my USUAL dppEtltc, Uub tile IO0u was more
than distasteful to me could only choke
down few berries and some cake, and
even that became an impossibility when
Mary, passing behind aunt's chair, sig
nailed to me that James consented.
With every nerve quivering with ex-
element, it was only the sternest of ne
cessities that enabled me to sit quietly in
my chair during the hour that followed,
answering sadly at random, | fear--my
aunt's remarks and great was my relief
when, at an hour even earlier than was
her wont, she signified her intention Of
retiring. After bidding her goodnight,
sped up to my own room and drew
forth my dress, with every possible feel
| ing of contrition smothered by excite
ment.
1t was half-past eight. | had over a
half hour in which to make my toilette
and since mine was no fine lady's ward
robe, it was ample time. At last Mary
came up with the information that aunt
was asleep; and, lighting the lamps Of
my toilette table, commenced to array
myself, with Mary standing BY, an ad-
miring if not impartial critic.
Have | told l was dark ?-or rather my
hair was almost black in its intense
brown, my eyes dark, and my complex
ion comparatively pink and white my
eyes, which were large and expressive,
gave to my face, which eth rwise would
be baby ish, a rather startling effect.
Then, when the lamps were lighted,
and the curtains closely drawn to prevent
a CLEAN Of light shining out, when stood
in the full blaze Of light before the glass,
the question which all day had been
vaguely haunting me, rose up and held
me in stern perplexity. My hair what
should do with my hair ?zneither curl,
| braid or puff had | to add unto it, or
to assist in forming it into presentable
coiffure-nothing but heavy profusion
Of curls, and they falling only little
below my shoulders.
Deep thought came and drew straight
line down the middle of my forehead
and then my natural invention came and
smoothed it away.
| always dressed with a certain indi-
viduality, which although unlike every
one else, was not glaringly peculiar "the
girls were pleased to term it my French
| mess" Now, | combed all the curls high
up and pinned them into twist that can
only be described as indescrbable. 1t
did very well, however, and with several
curled ends falling carelessly here and
there, was quite picturesque couture, to
which two pale pink roses, fastened
among the curls, added much and quite
satisfied me.
Then | donned my dress, which
browning vanity over which my aunt
would have despaired-I had bereft Of
the sleeves, putting in their place deep
pleated thread lace and loops of pink
satin, rendering my princess dress, with
square-cut neck, quite a respectable even
ing dress. Last but not least came my
exquisite corals, palest pink set in Etrus-
can gold, which my father had sent me
from Naples.
When all was completed, viewed my
self with much complacency, and amid
Mary's rapturous compliments, prepared
for my ignominious exit through the
kitchen. Having reached the carriage in
safety, and being beyond doubt upon
my way to the ball, was disposed to
laugh triumphantly. Just then the pos
sibility Of discovery mattered very little
to me, and there was possibility Of dis
coyery, though but slight one. The
guests would almost entirely be Of fami
lies from the neighboring towns and
cities, c. being only the Dentleys'
country. place, and there would be none
Of aunt Patiences friends present.
Upon my arrival i'll the dressing room,
| was greeted with both rapture and sur
prise.
''Bernce," cried Fannie Glenn, chow
flee all your hopes Of blessed immortal
ity, by coming to dance"
Hush, Fam" cried, ''anl all Of YOU"
for they we're clamoring for an eXplana
| ton and | told them all about it, amid
shouts Of sympathetic laughter.
'Tle blessed WITCH" cried Fay Ash
leigh, 1--WE might have known she would
do something desperate and just see that
toilette, 'Frenchier' than ever"
"Alma will be SO glad" said Callie /
Hart 'she told me she was dreadfully
worried for fear you couldn't come she
knew your aunt's prejudice against dane
ing. She wants you for particular
reason, ma belle; her brother Dare has
come all the way down flom New York,
to-well-to attend this ball, and perhaps
meet the little girl that he was so charmed |
with at Commencement last May, whose |
+, very yigilant auntie prevented his being
introduced"
''Callie, do stop, II interrupted, ''you
are positively too ridiculous. Which
brother is it, girls ?" Here | had a Grim
mating knowledge that | did not need to
be informed Of feature OF Dare Bentley |
handsome face.
wicked flirt," exclaimed Fan "llere,
you're blushing to your very tinger-tips
don't you try the guileless again, Bernie,
you can't do it yet; now come and 60
down with mamma and |"
| The rooms, which were exquisitely
decorated, were pretty well filled when
we entered, and our progress to the end
Of the parlors, where Colonel and Mrs.
BENTLEY stood, was slow. Alma was near
them, and by her side, | saw at the first
glance, was her brother, the gentleman
who had been frequently in my thoughts
and whose exquisite bouquet | had care
Il