Transcriber’s Note:
New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.
BROWNIE’S TRIUMPH
CHAPTER I
AN ENCOUNTER
“Brownie! Brownie Douglas, wait a moment.”
Time—three o’clock in the afternoon of the 5th of September,1876.
Place—vestibule of the Memorial Hall, at the World’sCentennial Exposition, Philadelphia, when all the worlddid literally flock to behold the great sights in that city ofbrotherly love.
The speaker of the above sentence was a young lady ofabout twenty, tall, slender, and of aristocratic bearing.
The person addressed was a bright little fairy, wholooked not over sixteen, yet who in reality was two yearsolder.
She turned quickly toward the aristocratic looking ladywho had spoken.
“What is it, Aspasia? I have been waiting for you.Where have you been?” she asked, brightly.
“Oh, this is you, then? I thought that young lady justpassing out was you—these linen dusters deceive one so.”
“You look heated and weary; will you not sit down andrest?” asked Brownie Douglas, regarding the flushed faceof her friend with an amused look in her dark, bright eyes.
There was never a greater contrast than between thosetwo young ladies.
One tall, fair, and languid, and dressed in the height offashion; covered with jewels, laces, flowers, and furbelows,not to mention a three-quarters of a yard train, which,4with the other fixings referred to, demanded so much ofher attention that she could enjoy nothing of the wondersand beauties around her.
The other, petite and dainty; her glossy brown hairsimply coiled at the back of her small head, which wascrowned with a hat of dark straw, trimmed with a wreathof scarlet berries and shining dark green leaves. Herhalf-fitting linen ulster protected, while it did not whollyconceal her rich though