Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-02-01

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pulled my veil aside, and kissed me half 9
dozen times, in manner that made my fin
gers ends tingle for an hour. 1t was all very
nice, but if had been in propria persona
! I would have liked it better. As It was,
felt as il l was ''obtaining goods under false
pretences," and that lawyer Bimby might is
sue warrant for my arrest, on that ground
at any moment
| A whole knot of crinoline then surroun.
ded me, on the upper deck Of the boat to the
utter exclusion and consequent disgust Of
Mr.. Bimby and the other gentlemen. kept
very quiet, only speaking monosyllables in a
(alsetto voice but the others-lord bless YOU
how they gabblcd! Under strict promise
Of secrecy, the little boarding school maid
who had kissed me so affectionatcly, reveal.
ed all her love affairs, and also became un-
pleasantly confidential about other matters
innocent enough in themselves, but no,
customarily talked Of between ladies and gen.
tlemen.
Twas terribly embarrassed, but it would not
do to give it up then.
AS soon as my trick should become known,
Bob Styles would also come out; and as
news of that kind travels fast in the country
he and his lady love would be telegraphed
and followed before they could reach Phila-
delphia. where the Styles family lived, and
where the knot was to be tied. ....
The river breeze was very fresh where we
sat, and noticed that several of the ladies
were glancing uneasily ut me. couldn't
divine the reason until Jennie, my little friend
from boarding school, laid her face danger.
ously close to mine, and whispered:
"My dear Maggie, your dress is blowing
up terribly high-your ankles will be town
talk with all the gentlemen"
Nor was conscious Of having very small
foot for man, and had donned par of open
worked stockings, which came nearly up to
my waist, with pair Of garters borrowed
from servant girl, in all Of which toggery
my running gear looked quite respectable;
bat the idea of the gentlemen talking about
my ankles, and of being cautioned thus by
| a young girl, who would have been frighten-
ed to death had told her the same thing
yesterday, was too much for me. hurst in
to sort Of strangulated laugh, which could
only check by swallowing half of my fila
gree lace-edged handkerchief.
The young ladies all looked at me in ap-
parent astonishment at such voice, and
wanted to laugh all the more. Fortunately,
Mr.. Blmby came to my rescue at the mo-
ment, and edged himself in among the Grim
oline. ...-..--.-.-. .-..-...
MAY sit here p he asked, pointing to a
low stool near me.
Certainly" simpered, in high falset-
to. '..--... -
"Ah, thank you," said Bimby with q
lackadaistical air, which nauscated me, as
coming from one man to another-"you are
as kind as you are facinating"
"You f1atter me!' r
~ No; praise Of you cannot be flattery,
Miss Lee"
90, sir, really you arc very naughty
man." l said in the most feminine tone
could command
He cast languishing glance at me thro'
my black lace veil, and fairly began to fear
for his feelings"
We soon arrived at the grove, and found
our band-engaged Notwithstanding us.
OF course, dancing was the first amusement.
and lawyer Bimby led me out for Shot
tische. 1t was hard for me at first to take
the lady's part in my dance, but soon got
accustomed to it. When waltz was pro.
posed resolved to have little amusement
at the expense of the unfortunate Bimby.
had at first made him purposely Jealous,
by dancing with two other young fellows,
one of whom | knew, in my own character,
but who never suspected me as Maggie Lee
This young man, who was great woman
killer-a sort of easy, devil-may care rascal
who made the ladies run after him, by his
alternate wrath of acton and coolness of
protestation-I selected to play off against
my legal admirer. allowed him to hold
me very closely and occasionally looked at
him with a half fascinating expression
When we stopped dancing, he led me to my
seat, still keeping his arm aroud my waist.
and permitted it.
Having thus stirred Bimby up to feats of
wrathful valor. asked one of the gentlemen
to direct the musicians to play waltz
Bimby came immediately. E
"Ahem, Miss Lee-shall Ia have
the honor of-a-trying IA waltz with
youy''
l smiled graceful acquiesencc, and we
commenced.
Now, | am an old stager at waltzing. I
can keep II up longer than any non.profes-
sional dancer, male or female, whom ever
met. AS long as the Cachuca or the Scho-
unebrunnen rings in my ears, can go on If
it is for year.
Not SO Bilnby. He plead want of prac-
tice, and acknowledged that he soon got
dizzy.
AHA, old boy!" though I, "rn give you
turn, then,"
But only smiled, and said that should
probably get tired first. 8.
"Oh yes r. he exclaimed, ''ofcourse can
waltz as long as any ONE lady, but not much
MORE"
For the first three minutes my cavalier
did well. He went smoothly and evenly,
but at the expiration of that time began to
grow warm. Five minutes elapsed and Bim-
by's breath became harder and harder. On
we went, however, and scorned to notice
his slackening up at every round when we
passed seat After some ten or twelve
minutes the wretched man gasped between
his steps
All, a-are you--not getting-a-tireds'
"Oh no p burst forth a. coolly as If we
had been riding about the room-oh no, I
feel as if could waltz all night"
The look Of despair that he gave was ter
rible to see. -
was bound to see him through, however,
and we kept at it. Bimby staggered, and
made wild steps in all directions. His shirt
collar wilted, his eyes protruded, his jaw
hung down, and altogether, saw he could
not hold out much longer.
. = q e. = q ~. 80