Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-01-31
THE LEAP YEAR PARTY.
BY NJ AIRY CLAIR E.

Cousin. said Madge Carlton, suddenly
breaking of in the midst of merry song,
COUSIN Grace, am going to have leap
year ball
"A leap year ball 2
Yes, this is leap year, so Imean to have
some fun out of it. [ will issue invitations
for ball to the ladies; each one shall then
select the gentleman she will escort, call
for him, bring him here, furnish his bou-
quet, and give him her arm to enter the
room. The ladies shall invite the gentle
men to dance, make love to them. pass the
refreshments at supper, and finally escort
the dear creatures home,
1t viii be splendid Of course there
is no objection to be made serious pro-
posal, if any Of the ladies are so inclined 2
Not at all. Now to make list, and
then get pa to consent Come ?
Madgc Carlton was the gayest little bru-
nette that ever futtered, butterfly like. "a
mongst the flowers of society. Maagc was
an heiress, coquette, rot firt for she
would not Intentionally have wounded any
one for worlds; but she could not help be-
ing pleased with attention, and showing
she was pleased. Madge was tiny, beau
tiful, sparkling, loving, and lovely.
Madge Carlton had two lovers Of ad-
mirers she had score; but there were two
men who had made it the first object of
their life to love this bright little Madge.
One loved hopefully, earnestly endeavor-
ing to win return. The other loved 81
lently, not daring to WOO the tiny fairy.
Harry Wells was handsome, talented,
rich, a good dancer, perfect gentleman,
and a gay idler in fashions haunts. Law
renee Hayes was also talented, but quiet
and reserved. He had been Mt Cartoons
clerk for seven years, and had loved Madge
when she was 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 happy if she married
and was happy with his rival; crushing
back his own ardent, unselfsh love into
hopeless, sad sorrow.
Which did Madge prefer? She knew
these men loved her. Lawrence had new
er spoken, yet with woman's quick in
instinct she felt his love- She hirted gay
ly with Harry; rode with him, and accep-
ted his attentions yet with perfectly
frank, easy manner, she kept wall of ice
between Harry and herself ; and while he
could not tell what prevented 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 a
pretty, shy manner when alone with him.
He attributed it to his own ten years SEMI
GRITTY and longed for the frank, girlish
manner she exhibited toward Harry yet,
when he conversed with her, drawing out
the treasures of a well stored mind, and a
pure, womanly heart, hidden under her
gay manner, he sighed to think how great
was the treasure he coveted. Sometimes
he wished poverty could come to his en-
ployer, that he might gather his treasure
close to his heart, shield her from every
sorrow, and prove in adversely his great
love. Under the grave reserve of his man
ner, none suspected this burning passion.
None !? Madge did
1t was the evening Of the ball Merrer