New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1862-07-11
for an introduction vet

Clare danced away. but was back il, a few
moments, calling out: .v ar-r. .',.f
Now, Miss WiIaot, you must favor US with
4 song. Ono don't often listen to such sweet
harmoncs rs you can create
| Grace saw though the rusc, at once. SiHg-
ing was her forte, and the matchmaking
widow thought she sheuld be sure of attract
| this means. The request was seconded by
I several INN cdiately about her and She ap-
preached the open piano.
: sNo, not that, Grace cried Mrs. Clare,
running for Der own guitar we can hear
the piano, any time One piece, please
Grace WAS about to refuse. bat quick
intelligent glance which her friend gave her
decided Che matter, and she took the gui az
Sweeping her fingers over the strings, IN q
low, sweet prelude. she began enc of those
old, touching ballads which every one loves.
Every other sound was hushed, as that pure,
sweet voice, oi, such rare compass, broke out
pure and clear, filing the crowded rooms
with gush Of angelic harmony The young
girls expressive face never looked more beau
tiful than when irradiatcd by the cnthusias-
tic glowwhich music always lent tuit, and
that heart must be cold, indeed, which could
resist her destinations at such 4 time.
The ruse succeeded, as Mrs. Clare knew it
must Mr.. Mortimer s!awly approached
while she was singing and requested an in
| ,,Io, ,,j,o L,3 damn
4 do not Ike to hattcr, Miss Wilmot, he
said as Mrs. Glare left them together, after
the presentation, but really you have q
charming voice never heard amorc natur-
al singer
He fixed his dark, penetrating eyes full
upon her, as he spoke as if he would read
her to tire very soul, but Grace stood in 80
awe Of him. He looked SO cool, calm, and
sefrosscsscd, and said this in such Il quiet
undemonstratiye sort of a way, that she could
not resist the Inclination to laugh in his very
| face. He smiled IN return, and from that
moment the ice was broken, aud soon they
each OF her for lifetime.
IN an hours time, they made wonderful
progress in becoming acquainted. MIR. Nor
timer seemed fairly metamorPnosed, and
Grace teased and scoldel, laughed at, and
contradictcd him, to an extent which vas
really wonderful TO Mrs. Glare, who watched
every movement of her young friend with a
solctous eye. He seemed quite taken up
neither eyel nor ears for any one else. His
dignity seemed quite gone and he talkcG and
| laughed with as keen a z3st as even his COM
panion.
Near the close Of the evening some one pro.
posed tableaux The motion met with uni
vcrsal favor and several passed of with con-
siderable applause When these were over.
Mrs. Clare proposed a new subject The Rob-
bcr's Bride t
| You must take part in this, Cracic,' she
said, in decided tone. You would suit the
character to q charm
Grace consented, and she was conducted.
at once to the dressing room. When she
emerged from it, q few moments later, attir-
ed in quaint, fanciful costume, which Mrs
Glare had procured for her, she found Mr.
| Mortimer and her hostess near the door,
waiting for her. TO her surprise, the former
was clad in real brigandish costume, with
slouched hat, waving plumes, u mantle Of
black velvet, secured at the waist by Il cr.ns
SOP s?sh, in which were knives and pistols.
What, arc you to be my companion, MI
| Mortimer 9 she asked.
Il an, ,ke one chosen by Mrs. Glare for the
purpose, believe.
I'm glad of that Y cried the little madcap,
animatedly. You'll makea charming bandit,
with your black hair and fierce eyes'
Her companions smiled, and Mrs Glare,
excusing herself left them standing there to-
gether, and went out to mlngle among her
guests. Seeking pleasant.faced, middle
/ aged man she touched him lightly on the
arm. .~ tsi..S
'Mr Ray,' sire said, hurricdly, 4 have z.
favor to ask of you. You must marry a couple
for me !! There, don't say a single word
she added as she saw he was about to speak,
but come along assure youit is all right.
We only want it done in romantic way you
see. ' &g-@5s et#E
And. shaking her head mysteriously, the
merry little widow drew her reluctant COM
panion along with her, without giving him
time to utter single syllable circumstance.
There, when the curtain rises, come for
ward and perform your part, and have no
fears she said, leaving him in a favorable
position, and bounding away. She found
Grace and MIR. Mortimer Standing where she
had left them. av zlsl grT
All is ready; he said, uotioning them to
come forward and take their places