Year: 1860

length of time for me, but perhaps l don't
think so much of my personal appearance as
you do of yours"


"But May, 1 did not know yeu were
going"


"WelI, I am. Perhaps they thought they
must invite me-" she said with an arch smile
Any way, am going, and expect to have
good time"


40 DEAR" I sighed to myself, al hope she
will get into some corner. do wish the even
ing was over wonder what she has on"
and / looked at her dress, but it was pinned
up under her shawl, and nothing was visible
but O very white skirt, while from under it
peeped two tiny feet encased stout walking
boots


Don't you think slippers would rather bet
ter for an evening party 2" l ventured to ask.


why, cousin, do you suppose | am going
to walk through the dust in slippers and it
is no use to ride such a short distance am
sure | am not ashamed of that foot" slightly
raising one II think it looks quite dim"


The head was muffled in thick green veil,
but was not anxious to scrutinise that, as
knew it could not help being presentable. 1t
must be her Sunday silk wonder how many
seasons she has worn it, wish | had known
she was going. l would have bought q new
dress and some white kids"


AS we walked along, thought would try
conversational powers little, SO | took some
of the subjects which thought most probably
would be discussed during the evening,-but
alas the lady seemed to have lost the use of
her tongue could say nothing but "yes," and
mo-" and guess so, and in utter dismay
thought how much worse she would appear
with those who were strangers to her.


After had given my hair the last touch in
the dressing room, turned with resigned air
to o search for my lady. but she was not to be
found she was not in the ladies' dressing room
or the hal, where else to look for her know
not. At first thought that feeling O little
abashed at the sight of so many ladies so much
more elegantly dressed, she had hidden her
self with determination of not entering the
parlors but then l remembered her remark
about having q good time, and the goody
amount of "spunk with which she seemed TO
be endowed, and concluded that she must have
had the ignorance and the boldness to enter
the rooms without her attendant. My heart
sank at the thought of this indecorum, and
probably could not have summoned courage to
enter myself, had not one of my friends seen
me, and asked why | was waiting saying that
it was almost time for the dancing to commence
and he knew would not miss my favorite
amusement So | was forced to accompany
him.


After saluting our host and hostess, ylanc-
ed hurriedly around the room, and was just
congratulating myself on Mays non-appear-
ance, when suddenly my eye met another, q
laughing, triumphant, blue one There stood
what | supposed to my Cousin May, clad not
in worn Sunday silk, but in delicate, white
lace, with snow shoulders ard arms uncovered
save where they were encircled by the lovely
pearls, the choicest ia the room knew at
glance. The satin hair was arranged in heavy
braids wound round her head can't say ex.
acty how. only know they looked softer and
smoother than ever, and the few flowers that
adorned them seemed to be very proud OF
their resting place, and most lavishy breathed
their fragrance about her. One hand, covered
with the delicate glove, raised slightly the
light drapery as if to let me see the dainty
white slipper which pressed the carpet the
other hand (plague take it,no, not Il. but him
rested on the arm of that contemplate fellow,
Frank Percy, the handsomest man in the room
the man whom had always diSliked from the
fact that he was my rival in the affections of
the fair sex.


knew not what to do, and stood wonder
ing what would be expected of me under such
circumstances, when May called his attention
to me, and they both approached me. OF course
l shook hands, and talked with him as if was
delighted to see him.


II was sorry l didn't see you last night,
John, but May informed me you had severe
headache so thought wouldn't make it any
worse by presenting myself" said Frank, in an
assured tone.


So he was the rustic lover, he Frank Percy,
he was the person who had whispered soft
words in her ear at eleven O'Clock, who now has
the audacity to call her May! | looked at
her to see the effect upon her, and she whisp-
cred Poor John! saw how annoyed you
were, and as Frank was willing to take the
incumbrance, concluded to relieve !; don't be
troubled any longer, for he or somebody else
will consent to take care Of me, and perhaps
NAV be able to converse a lAtLe"


Before could answer, they had left me, and
the next moment saw them at their place in
a waltz quadrlle which was then forming. l
have no very distinct remembrance OF the rest
of the evening, except that tried to prove an
agreeable partner to the young ladies, but
must have wholly failed, from the fact that |
could hardly keep my eyes off my" country
cousin" She seemed to be the centre of at
traction with the gentlemen ; the ladies' as is
usually the case, did not seem to be quite so
unanimous, and each and all of her unofend-
ing features were discussed and declared to be
far from regular May. however, was uncon-
scious of all this from the fact that the gentle
men gave her no opportunity to devote herself
to her own sex. l suppose l might as we'll
be included among the ladies that evening, for
| also was debarred all chance of conyersing
,rith har IF cnunmnned resolution enOnoh