St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1860-04-19
Somantit sktttb.
THE
LEAP YEAR PARTY
BY MARY 4. CLARKE.

Cousin" said Madge Carlton, sud
denly breaking off in the midst of "a
merry song, cousin Grace, | am go,
ing to give leap year ball"
a leap year ball?"
Yes, this is leap year, so l mean
to have some fun out of it. will is,
sue invitations for ball to the ladies
each one shall then select the gentle.
uian she will escort, call for him, bring
him hero, furnish his bouquet, and
give him her arm to enter the room
The ladies shall invite the gentlemen
to dance, make love TO them, pass the
refreshments at supper, and finally es
cort the dear creatures home"
1t VIII be splendid OF course
there is no objection made to scri-
Gus proposal, if any of the ladies are
50 inclined :"
None at all. Now to make a list,
and then get pa to consent Come "
Madge Carlton was the gayest lit
tie brunette that ever iluttered, butter
fy-like, amongst the flowers of socie-
ty. Madge was an heircss, coqucttc,
not ilirt, for she would not inten-
tiunally have wounded any one for
worlds /: but she could not help being
pleased with attention. and showing
she was pleased. Madge was tiny,
notwithstanding loving, and lovely,
Madge Carlton had two lovers. OF
admirers she had score but there
were two men who had made it the
first object of their life to love this
bright little Madgc. One loved hope
fully, earnestly endeavuring to win a
return. The other loved sadly, silent.
ly, not daring to WOO the tiny fairy
Harry Wells was handsome, talent
ed, rich, good dancer, IA perfect gen
tleman, and gay idler in fashions
haunts. Lawrence Hayes was also
talented, but quiet and reserved. He
had been Mr. Cartons clerk for seven
years, and had loved Madge when she
was u winsome school girl. He never
made love" to his idol He was
poor, shy, and proud and could not
stoop to try to win the heiress, but he
looked on when Harry Wells courted
her, trying to think he should be hap,
py if she married and was happy with
his rival crushing back his own ar
dent, unseliish love into hopeless, sad
sorrow.
Which did Madge prefer? She
knew these men loved her. Lawrence
had never spoken, yet with a woman's
quick instinct she felt his love. She
tlirted gayly with Harry rode with
him, walked with him. and accepted
his attentions yet, with perfectly
frank, easy manner, she kept a wall
of ice between Harry and herself
and while he could not tell what pre-
vented him. he still felt that he had
best not tempt his fortune yet. She
was not so free with Lawrence. Gay
laughing, and radiant, she had pref
ty, shy manner when alone with him
He attributed it to his own ten years
seniority, and longed for the frank
girlish manner she exhibited towart
Harry yet, when he conversed witt
her, drawing ont the treasures of &
wel-stored mind, and pure, woman
ly heart, hidden under her gay man
ner, he sighed to think how great was
the treasure he coveted. Sometimes
he wished poverty could come to his
employer, that he might gather hi,
treasure close to his heart, shield hcl
from every sorrow, and prove in ad
versity his great love. Under tn,
grave reserve of his manner, non,
suspected this burning passion. None
Madge did /!
1t was the evening of the ball
Merrier laughter was never heard
brighter bushes never seen, thar
those in Mr.. Carlton's parlor, on tn,
evening of the leap year ball. A ga,
group Of young people was collected
near the hostess, who was the bright
est reveler there. Lawrence watche,
her from his corner, where he stoo,
toying with some ornament upon tn,
mantle-piece. Harry was, as usual il
such scenes, close beside her.
Miss Carlton said Mr.. Harding
one of the group around Madge
"therc is one condition in your invita-
ton not complied with"