The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-07-06


humming was interrupted by hand laid on
my arm. and soft voice, which ! knew be-
longed to May, saying:
why, cousin John, arc you going with
out me, after I have been ready and waiting
50 long? No gentleman ever had to wait
such length Of time for me, but perhaps l
don't think SO much Of my personal appear
ancc rs you do Of yours
'But May, l did not know you were 60
ing
well, am. Perhaps they thought they
must invite me- she said with an arch
smile. ANY way, 1 am going, and I expect
to have u good time.'
20 DEAR I sighed to myself, Il hope she
will get into some corner. I do wish the
evening was over. I wonder what she has
on, and I looked at her dress, but Il was
pinned up under her shawl, and nothirg was
visible but q very white skirt, while from
under II pccped two tiny feet encascd in
stout walking boots.
Don't you think clippers would look rath-
er better for IN evening partyl' Iventurcd
to ask.
why, cousin, do you suppose I am going
to walk through the dust in slippcs' And
Il is no use to ride such short distance.
am sure I am not ashamed Of that foot,
slightly raising one. u think il looks quite
TRIM
The head was mufIlcd in thick green
veil, but was not so anxious to scrutinizc
thot, as knew It could not help being pre-
scntablc. But could not help thinking Of
the dress. 1T must bo her Sunday silk. !
wonder how many seasons she has worn It.
I wish had known she was going. l would
have bought new dress and some white
kids
As we walked along, I thought I would
try her conversational powers little, 80 |
took some Of the subjects which | thought
most probably wouI DO discussed during the
cvcning,-but alas the lady seemed to have
lost the use of her tongue, could say nothing
but 'ycs,' and mo- and Il guess oo,' and in
utter dismay l thought how much worse she
would appear with those who were strangers
to her.
After had given my hair tho last touch
in the drcssing-room, turned with resign
ed air to search for my lady, but she was
not to be found; she was not in the ladies'
dressing.room, or the hall ,-whcro else to
look for her knew not. Atfrst, thought
that feeling little abashcd at the sight Of
80 many ladies 90 much moro elegantly dress
cd, she had hidden herself with the dctcrmi-
nation of not entering the parlors; but then
I remembered her remark about having q
good time, and the soodly amount Of 'spunk'
with whi:h she seemed to bo endowed, and
concluded that she must have had the igno-
rance and the boldness to enter the rooms
without her attendant. My heart sank ut
the thought Of this indecorum, and | proba-
biy could not have summoned courage to en-.
ter myself, had not one of my friends seen
me, and asked why I was waiting, saying
that It was almost time for tho dancing to
commence, and he knew would not miss
nv fayorite amusement. SO l was forced to
accompany him.
After saluting our host and hostess, ]
glanced hurricdly around the room, and was
just congratulating myself on Mays non-ap-
pcarancc, when suddenly my eye met anoth-
er, laughing, triumphant, blue one
There stood what I supposed to bo my cous-
in May, clad not in worn Sunday silk, but
in delicate, white lace, with snowy shoul-
dcrs und arms uncovered, save where they
were encirclcd by the lovely pearls, the
choicest in the room knew at glance
The satin hair was arranged in heavy braids,
wound round her head, can't say exactly
how, only know they looked softer and
smoother than ever, and the few flowers tha,
adorned them seemed to DO very proud Of
their rcsting-placc, and most lavrshingly
brcathcd their fragrance about her. One
hand, covered with tho delicate glove, raised
slightly the light drapcry as IL to let me SEQ
the dainty white slipper which pressed the
carpet; the other hand (plaguc take It, no,
not il, but him. rested on the arm Of that
contemplate fellow, Frank Percy, the hand
soonest man In the room, the man whom I
had always dislikod from the fact that he
was my rival in the affections Of tho fair
sex.
knew not what to do, and stood wonder.
ing what would be expected ofmc under such
circumstances, when May called his atten.
ton to mo, and they both approached me-
or course shook hands, and talked with
him as II was delighted to sec him.
i was sorry didn't see you last night,
John, but May informed me you had TO-
vcrc headache, so I thought wouldn't make
it any worse by presenting myself, siid
Frank, in an assured tone.
So he was tho rustic lover, he, Frank Per-
ey, hc was the person who had whispered
soft words In her ear after eleven o'clock,
who now has the audacity to call her May
looked at her to no the effect upon her,
and she whispered Poor John I saw how
annoyed you were, and rs Frank was willing
to take the incumbrance, l concluded to TO
lieve you; don't bc troubled any longer. for
he or somebody else will consent to take care
ofme, and perhaps I may be able to con-
verse iitie.'
Before could answer. they had lsit mo-
and the next moment saw them take then