The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-13

M W nelghborhood when the cnal- AA Fl dren received their invita- WY tions to Helen's Birthday Party. Just a party-any kind of a party-would have been quite enough to cause exclamations of delight and many happy hours of anticipation. But at this one, if you please, every guest was to wear a fancy costume.
 Helen. as the hostess, you may be sure, was quite the proud little lady. And for days and days beforehand she was busy helping her Mamma pre- pare. She, of course, would not be masked at first, since she must stand with her Mamma and welcome each guest as he arrived. But, once they were all there. then she could don her mask and mingle with the other strange, grotesquely or beautifully clad figures.
 At last came the evening of the party. The big music room had been cleared of every piece of furniture and the floor more highly waxed than ever--to afford 8 suitable place for dancing. The dining room table was aglow with tiny shaded lights that shed a soft radiance over the white cloth and the polished silver. Masses of roses were to be seen on all sides.
 The first guest to arrive was a clown" Until he spoke neither Helen nor her Mamma could tell who he was. And then when he said Good evening they recognized him instantly as Wilbur Knowles, the most serious and studious boy in the neigh nf should choose to come in such a cos- tune seemed particularly Imaginable.
 The second guest was dainty Min nie Clark, who came as a Fairy" She wore shinmering dress that seemed to be made of silver cobwebs; and circling the bottom of the skirt were large gilt stars. Around her pretty f1axen curls was a bandeau of black velvet which held small silver star in place on her forehead and two long silver-grey plumes at the back of her head. She looked sweet enough to really be fairy.
 Then came Bobby Jones - the worst boy" in the neighborhood. And what do you think he "came as?" Of course, had his costume been that of a sailor, or slave-trader, or miser, or any other bad character" people might have said that the cos- tune suited him. But Bobby-mis- chievous Bobby-appeared as Gen tleman of Colonial Days"
 He wore a smart blue coat with large, flat gold buttons and lace at the sleeves at least six inches deep: there was a lace collar around his neck, too, and his vest was delicate fawn color. His brooches were of plum -colored velvet and his stockings of black silk. with shiny black danc- ing pumps on feet. To cap 1t all, he wore white whig, powdered, as did the gentleman of the old days. It need scarcely be stated that Bobby was thoroughly uncomfortable.
 Close behind him came a Bold Buccaneer." Straight out of the 17th Century he seemed to have come. His blouse was blood red, with little white half-moons all over 1t; his brooches were of sky-blue corduroy and his long stockings as bloody as his blouse. Around his head was wound. in true buccaneer fashion, huge red handkerchief.
 In his belt wicked old-fashioned pistol and a huge, murderous knife gleamed. He was Tommy Towers. whose ambition had always been to be a pirate and sail the main with Jolly Roger flag Ca skull and cross bones) at his masthead.
 .s- Then the guests came 50 quickly that one couldn't begin to describe all