Year: 1867




Dismissing Mandy, her foster sister and
maid Miss Preston performed the task
Of aisroblBg for the night, without other
assistance than that of her own nimble fin.
gers.


First the little lace collar and ribbon were
removed from the neck, and the bright me
rino dress laid aside; next the snowy skirts
were lifted over the head; then a spring
tonched IN front Of the rounded waist, when
With a clicking and metallic sound down
caIue the wide expanse of crinoline, and
Hiss Charley stepped ont of its steel circle,
considerably collapsed but ali the prettier.
\ somewhat similar mechanical operation
was repeated, and numerous springs and
eurls were set Ia lively motion, and then
with a stretch upward of the plump white
arms, and long drawn sigh of relief, off
came the little French railroad eorsets,
and the dimple shoulders ef the wearer rose
in unrestricted freedom.


The snowy night gown was now slipped
over the head, and its delicate frills daintily
adjusted to the throat and wrists Next the
mirror was visited aud the charming little
Hloues made at the bright face it reflected,
aud then seiziug the brush, the girl proceed
cd to apply il to her glossy curls until they
shone ike satin.


Then to the Washstand, where teeth
white as coc0anut meat, were rubbed until
they cleaned whittier, and the rosy face
dipped in the basin of pure cold water until
it glOwed with renewed crimson. And then
drawing low seat close to the fire, the
young girl laid one pretty foot lightly on
her knee and began to unlace the tiny
boot which encased it. In few moments
both little feet we're bare in their childish
beauty, and pressed down on the hot bricks
of the hearth while a careful measurement
was made as to the relative lengths Of the
big toe and the one next to it, for on this
important difference depends the momen-
tous question as to which of the two shall
rule in the future married life Of the meas
urer-it having been decreed by mysterious
aud immutable signs that should the great
toe be longer, the forth coming lord Of the
lady will be master as well, while if the sec
ond has the preemiuence, a similar fate is in
store for herself, and her only master will be
her own sweet WILL


10 the present instance both Of the soft,
pink toes were of such sameness Of lenght
that the inference was sufficiently clear
that destiny decreed the married life Of
Miss Charley Preston should be a state of
equal rights.


The young lady sat still and amused her
self by doing little prospecting in the way
of gazing down into the Goals glowing before
her, and then taking her Bible from its
stand, she read the lessons appointed for
the evening, then knelt and said her simple
prayers. 4 puff of fragrant breath from a
pair Of rosy Gps, and out went the candle,
leaving the room lighted only by the rich
fire light Then unbolting the door, that
Mandy who slept in her young mistress
room, might gain access, when it should
please her to leave the delights Of the kitch-
en-, the young girl turned back the soft
blankets and snowy sheets Of her bed, made
the impress Of her rounded figure in its
downy depth. laid her innocent head upon
the tastefuly trimmed pillow, and went to
her Lannv draamE.