Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-08-30
THE LEAP-YEAR PARTY.

"Cousin," said Madge Carlton, sudden.
Iy breaking of in the midst Of q merry
Isonp. cousin Grace, am going to have
4 lpsp year ball"
- ulmnuxsar ball p
NYes. tIiy 1s 1csy-3cxy1o sssn 10
have some fun out IL, will issue In.
yitations for ball to the ladies; each one
shall then select tho gentleman sho will
escort, call for him, bring him here, fur.
nish his bouquet and give him her arm TO
enter the room. The ladies shall invite
the gentlemen TO dance, make love TO them
pass tho reffoshment at supper and, finally
escort the dear creatures home"
at will be splendid or ooursa there
ID no objections made 10 serious proposal
IL any oil tho ladies' arc 30 inclinedY"
"Not az all. Now, 10 make a list, and
then get pm 10 consent, Comel
Madge Carlton was tho gayeht little
brunette that ever futtered, butterfly like,
among the flowers Of society, Madge was
an heIress, a ooquette, not fIrt for she
would not Intentionally have wounded any
one for worlds, bat she could not help
being pleased with attention, and showing
that she was pleased, Madge was tiny,
beautiful. sparkling, loving aud lovely.
Madge Carlton had two lovers. or ad.
mlrers she had score bat there were
two men who had made II tho arst object
of their life TO love this bright little Madge,
One loved hopefully earnestly endeayoring
TO win return,' The other loved sadly,
silently, not daring 10 WOO the tiny fairy,
Harry Wells was handsome, talented,
rich, good dancer, perfect gentleman
and gay idler In fashions haunts,-
Lawrence Hayes was also talented. but
quiet aud reserved. He had been Mr..
Cartons clerk for several years, aud had
loved Madge when she was a winsome
school girl. He never made love- to his
idol. He was poor, shy and proud man;
aud could not stoop to try to win the heir.
ess, but he looked on when Harry Wells
courted her, trying to think be should be
happy If she married and was happy with
his rival;crushing back his own ardent un-
selfish love into bopelessness and sorrow
Which did Madge prefer? She knew
these men loved her. Lawrence had
never spoken, yet with q woman's quiet
instinct she felt his love. She fiirted gaily
with Harry; rode with him, accepted his
attentions; yet. with perfectly frank
easy manner, she kept wall of ice be
tween Harry and herself; and while he
could not tell what prevented him, he still
felt that he had best not tempt his future
yet. She was not so free with Lawrence
Gay, laughing and reticent she had Q
pretty, shy manner when alone with him
He attributed il to his own ten year,
seniority, and loneed for the frank, girl
ish manners she exhibited toward Harry;
yet, when he conversed with her, drawing
out the treasures of we'll stored mind
and pure womanly heart, hidden under
her gay manner, he sighed to think how
great was the treasure he coveted. Some
times he wished poverty would come tt
his employer, that he might gather hi
treasure close to his heart, shield her frou
every sorrow, and prove in adversely hi
great love. Under the grave reserve o
his manner, none suspected this burnin,
passion. Nonep Madge didl o
! 1t was the evening Of the ball. Merrie
laughter was never heard, brighter blush
es never seen than these in Mr.. Carlton
parlor on the evening of the leap yea
! ball. A gay group of young people ha
collected near the hostess, who was tn
brightest reveler there. Lawrence watch
fed her from his corner where hs stoo