Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-03-21
THE LEAP YEAR PARTY.
BY MARY CLARKE.

"CouSln, SAID Madge carton,
suddenly breaking off in the midst
of a merry song, "cousin Grace, ]
am going to have leap year ball"
"A leap year ball2"
eyes, this is leap year, so I mean
to have some fun ont of it. l will
issue invitations for q ball to the
ladies; each enc shall then select the
gentleman she will escort, call for
him, bring him here, furnish his bo-
quet, 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 escort the "dear
creatures home"
sit will be splendid Of course
there is no objection to be made to
serious proposal, if any of the la
dies are SO inclined?'
''Not st all. Now to make list,
and then get pa to consent, Come"
Madge Carlton was the gayest lit
tie brunette that ever huttered, but
ter,fy -lke, amongst the flowers of
society. Madge was an heiress, a
coquette, not fiirt, for she would
not Intentionally have wounded any
one for worlds; but she csuld not
help being pleased with attention,
and showing she was pleased
Madge was tiny, beautiful, sparkling,
loving, and lovely.
Madge Carlton had two lovers
OF admirers she had a score; but
there were two men who had made
it the first object of their life to love
this bright little Madge. One loved
earnestly endeavering to
win areturn. The other loved silent.
ly, not daring to WOO the tiny fairy.
Harry Wells was handsome, talent
ed, rich, good dancer, a perfect
gentleman. and gay idler in fash
ions haunts. Lawrence Hayes was
also talented, but quiet and reserved.
He had been Mr.. Cartoons clerk for
seven years, and had loved Madge
when she was a winseme school girl.
He never made love- to his idel.-
He was poor, shy, and proud; and
could not stoop to try to win the
heiress, but he looked on when Har-
ry Wells courted her, trying to think
he should be happy if she married
and was happy with his rival; crush
ing back his own ardent, unselfsh
eve into hopeless, sad sorrow.
Which did Madge prefer? She
Knew these men loved her. Lawrence
had never spoken, yet with wo-
mans quick instinct she felt his love.
She firted gaily with Harry; rode
with him, and accepted his atten
ions; yet with aperfectly frank, easy
manner, she kept wall of ice be-
,ween Harry and herself; and while
le could net tell what prevented, he
still felt that he had best not tempt |
lis fortune yet. She was net so free
With Lawrence. Gay, laughing, and
'adiant. she had pretty, shy man.
Ter when alone with him. He at
ributed it to his own ten years semi
,rity, and longed for the frank, girl
sh manner she exhibited toward
Harry; yet, when he conversed with
Ter, drawing out the treasures of a
veil stored mind, and pure, woman
y heart, hidden under her gay man.
Ter, he sighed to think how great
vas the treasure he coveted. Some
lines he wished poverty could come
o his employer, that he might gath
II his treasure close to his heart,
hield her from every sorrow, and
,reve in adversely his great love-
Jnder the grave reserve of his man
Ter, none suspected this burning
'assien. None? Madge did
1t was the evening of the ball
Aerrier laughter was never heard,
brighter bushes never seen, than
hose in Mr.. Cartoons parler, on the
,vening of the leap year ball. A
ray group of young people was col
ected near the hostess, who was the
brightest reveler there. Lawrence
watched her from his corner, where
lie stood toying with some ornament
lpon the mantel-piece. Harry was
IS usual in such scenes, beside her.
''Miss Carlton" said Mr. Harding,
,ne of the group around Madge,
there is one condition in your invl
alton not complied with yet.
s'Indeed! Rebellion in this camp
must be put down.
"The ladies dc not make love tor
Isl"
mo, they do mott" echoed several
IF the gentlemen.
sShockingl Dc they want an ex-
ample? Mr.. Harding, will You take |