Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1867-01-11

dress was sensible, as mi ght have been ex
pccted, coming from Myrties uncle, and un
: deniably becoming; cloth of dark blue. warm
iy trimmed with dark fur, jaunty velvet hat
with long floating white plume AIyra step.
ping up to arrange Myrtes curls. completed
the picture, Her dress, of shade much
iighter than Myrtie's, trimmed with white fur.
matched the purity Of her complexion. If
there was less Of piquant beauty in Myra,
there was perhaps more real lovelness.
Mr. Loring proved as Myra had predicted.
very agreeable, and the ride in the costly.
fanciful sleigh, with its rare robes, and drawn
by pair of spirited gray ponies. was Of it.
self keen delight to Myrtle Arrived At the
Park her excitement was almost beyond con.
troll lier childish EXPLANATIONS of DELIGHT
and wonder pleas ed and amused her COM
panions, to whom this nairefe was as new a.
charming But certainly Central Park. on a
bright winters day, is spectacle lively and
brilliant enough 10 cause a pleasurable ex-
citcment III the mind Of any ono who sees it
Tor the first time. The enliyenine music of
the bands so gloriously echoed on the clear
air; the gaily a'tired figures, gracefully dis
porting over the smooth surface-the variety
OF stylish costume displayed-thc novelty of
the miniature slei eighs-all made the scene en-
chanting beyond description.
There were enough attendant eallants as
the friends aligh'ed from the sleigh. and Nv
ra' out OF courtesy, was compelled to intro-
duce to Myrtle tie first exquisite who pressed
forward and begged for an introduction. struck
/ by her beauty. but she contrved 10 whisper
to her: Hes = snob, my dear; YOU needn',
mind about sparing him."
us the place Of your residence located in
our city, inquired the fop with a magnif.
cent air Of owning at least half of the same
city.
ooh. no, I'm from the country, said Myr-
tie, demurcly
'Aw' and the somewhat discounted ,ndi-
v'dnal eyed her attire with more curiosity
than gailan'ry. ''Dooc9d pretty and well
dressed, WAS his mental comment and en-
courascd. he requested. with a great flourish
the pleasure OF fastening on her skates. Are
/ you accustomed to ,be-the exercise of ska>
ting: lie suddenly enquircd as he was en-
! ployed with the b1ckles. aad strclen with
the sudden thought tina, perhaps tcolnins from
the country she woul9 disgrace him by her
want Of skill. Myrtie's eyes flashed mis-
chievously, and. with what beg you will con-
slider lardonable hesitation, answered. Il
have tried occasionally, and l think l can
stand perfectly we'll, and perhaps take few
steps if-if-youll help met The forlorn
exquisite bnckled on his own skates with ILL.,
concealed dissatisfaction. Ii was his pride
being tolerable skater to be seen with the
best among the ladies, and his roliteness al
most forsook him. He was unmindful of
Myrties look of amused disdain. and led her
to the ice with more chagain than the triumph
he had anticipated.
"What would the feilahs think? She was
no doubt tremendously awkward Might
| have skated with Miss Swift all the rawning
Wonhah where Miss Leigh pick ed up such a
little ignowant country girl-not to know low
to skate
In spite of these reflections. lie sustained
Myrties tottering steps until they had gone
oil, some distance, and under his instruction.
this artful novice begun 70 improve. Her ut
tendants dropping spirits began TO revive
.Have a little more confidence. Miss; strike
out little more boldly. he was Just saying
when Myrtle, most unexpectedly taking him
at his word, and, seeing her uncle at a little
distance, evidently looking for her, darted TO-
wards him with the iieetness Of bird Oh the
wing, her dark cnrls blown back and ming
ling with the snowy floating plume, leaving
the char-fallem exquisite not a whit less as
tonished than il the ice had yawned and she
Lad disappeared in Il watery gulf before his
eyes. Myrtle spor,ively glided round and
round her uncle, nearing him in swiftly ap-
preaching circles, and then, taking his ou;-
stretched hand, the two easily and gracefully
| skatcd side by side down the Park, while
Myrtle gave her uncle merry recital of the
comical adventure. He heartily enjoyed the
fops discontinue, and laughingly decided that
he sufficiently punished for his rudeness.
"But Ill introduce you to a true gentleman,
he added. .'the one coming toward Us now,
and Myrtle was presented to Mr.. Hastings
She was nnaw are of her friends former en-
gagcment. it had been 80 abruptly cancelled,
and now Myras pride forbade any allusion TO
it.
Acquaintances formed on tue ice are ncces-
sarily informal, and so the two mutually
pleased, laughed and chatted like old friends.
Mr.. RAYMOND soon excused himself, as he
had not much time to play-only wanted to
see how his niece liked the Park, and the gal
liant old bachelor took his leave.
Time passed so rapidly in the fascination
Of the sport, that Myrtle was almost frighcn-
ed when messenger in the person of an en-
terprsing boy, skated up to her with the in
formation that il was time to go, and they
were awaiting her in the sleigh. vexed to
think that she had almost forgotten her, and
had seen her but twice since they had been
on the ice, Myrtle fastened to find her. Myra
turned her beaming face rs they came up.
hrimming with mirth, for Mr.. Raymond had
been reconnting his niecc's laughable adven-
tnre, but as she saw Mr. HASTINGS hcr man