St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1860-04-19

must be put down What is it p
The ladies' do not make love te
us !"
"No, they do not !" echoed several
of the gentlemen.
Shocking Do they want an ex.
ample Mr.. Harding, will you take
my arm for promenade ?"
Mr.. Harding looked down from his
six foot height to the tiny little witch
beside him, and then offered his arm.
:" No, take mine Mr.. Harding !o a
sigh
Miss Carlton, are you i'll ?"
Mo-" another sigh. Not i'll
when you smile upon me !" Every
body laughed at Madge's pretended
lovc-making. 1872.
Ladies ~ said Madge, take your
partners for the first quadrille."
There was plenty of blushing and
some pouting, as one or two of the
most fascinating beaux pleaded prior
engagements on a third or fourth IN
vitation from some fair ones. Who
would Madgc choose =? Harry, of
course F! Lawrence was watching her
little figure fitting from guest to
guest, finding places for dancers, and
with merry grace putting bashful
folks at ease, introducing couples,
prompting timid girls, carrying smiles
everywhere, leaving streak of sun
shine wherever she went. She stood
before him. The smile died out, and
she blushed crimson.
Mr.. Hayes, shall l have the pleas
nre of dancing the first quadrille with
you ?"
Lawrence bowed, offered his arm,
and led her to place. He thought,
This is her duty-dance. She knows
! am grave, and would not win the
admiration Of the gay beauties here,
so her kind heart prompts her to dance
once with me-"
Harry was Madge's next partner !;
then other guests were invited then
Lawrence again then again three
times, bnt others came between, and
Lawrence sighed as he noticed how
gay and chatty she was with others,
how timid, quiet and reserved with
him.
The evening sped on; it was quite
late, and part of the guests had taken
their departure. Some, however, yet
fingered, dancing in the large parlor.
In little library ON the same floor
as the ball room, Lawrence was sit
ting alone, when a fairy-ikc figure
stood before him.
"Truant : said Madge, "what are
you doing here p
Have you missed me ?" There
was a deep thrillin his heart, tremor
in his voice.
"Oh !" said Madgc, gayly, you
wish to remind me Of my omission. l
have danced with you, handed you
ices, sent you a bouquet, but have
not made love to you. Shall begin ?"
There was deep silence. The
merry words she had used to many of
her guests failed Madge now His
eyes were fixed upon her sorrowfully,
lovingly. She softly crept up close
to him, saying in low tone,
Lawrence !"
He started back.
mo no do not trne with me
do not make jest Of my love My
love Oh ! Madge, do not tempt me
To-" A strong man was Law
renee, hut a great, choking sob inter
rupted him.
Madge's low, soft voice stole in on
his heart.
"Do you love me, Lawrence?"
Love you I! Madgc Madge, | have
loved von for seven years better than
my life !"
She still crept closer to him. till her
bright head was pilowed on his broad
chest. Was it still jest, girlish
freak
Lawrence ! Lawrence
1t was leap year, AM she nestled
close to him, as. daring his fate, he
poured ont the full food Of his love in
strong, burning words, and the merry
heart was bound to his, the tiny form
was clasped close in his arms, the
words of love were echoed at the ball
given in Leap Year