The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1868-04-23
miscellaneous.
THBLEAP YEAR PARTY.

"Cousin," said Madgo Carlton, sud =
denly breaking off in the midst of a
merry song, "cousin Grace, l am 60
ing to have leap year ball"
"a lcap-year ball?"
ayes; this is leap year, so l mean to
have some fun out oft. l will issue
Invitations for the ball to the ladies;
one shall thea select the gentleman
she will escort, call for him, bring
him here, fntnish his boquet 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"
1T will be splendid o course
there is no objection made to a serious
proposal, if any of the ladies are so
! iuclincdP
"Not at all. Now to make list,
and Their get Pa to consent. Comel"
Madgo Carlton was the gayest lit.
tie brunette that ever futtered, but.
terny like among the flowers of socic-
ty. Madge was heiress, coquette, not
hirt, for she would not intentionally
have wounded any one for worlds, but
she could net help being pleased with
atte ton, and showing she was pleas.
ed Madge was tiny, beautiful, spark
ling, loving and lovely.
Madgc Carlton had two lovers. OF
admirers she had a score; but there
we're two men who had made it the
first object Of their life to love this
bright little Madge. One loved
hopefully, earnestly cndeavoring to
win a return. The other loved sadly,
silently, not daring too WOO the tiny
fairy.
Harry Wells was handsome, talent.
ed, rich, good dancer, perfect
gentleman and gay idler in fashions
haunts. Lawrence Hayes was also
talented, but quiet and reserved. He
had been Mr.. Cartons clerk for sew.
eral years, nnd had loved Madgc
when she was a winsome school girl.
lie never "madc love" to his idol.
He was poor, shy and proud man,
could not stoop to try to win the heir.
cas-, but he looked on when Harry
Wells courtcd her, trying to think he
should be happy if she married and
was happy with his rival crushing
back ardent unselfsh love into hope
iessness aud sorrow.
These men loved her. Lawrence
had noverspoken, yet with q woman's
quiet instinct she felt his love. She
fiirted gaily with Harry; she rode
with him, accepted his attentions; yet
with perfectly frank, easy man uor,
she kept a wall of ice between Harry
aud herself; aud while he could not
tell what prevented him, he still felt
that hc had best not tempt his future
yet. She was uot so free with Law
renee. Grave, laughing and reticeut,
she had shy manner when alone
with him, He attributed it to his
ten years seniority, and longed for
the frank girlish manner she exhibit.
ed toward Harry; yet when he con-
verscd " it'll her, drawing out treasures
of well stored mind, and pure
womauly heart, hidden under her gay
manner, be sighed to think how
great was the treasure close to his
heart. Sometimes he wished poverty
would come to his employer, that he
might gather the treasure o ose to his
heart, and shield her from every sor.
row and prove in adyersity his great
love. Uader the great reserve of his
manner, none suspected this burning
passion None? Madge did.
1t was the evening of the ball.
Merrier laughter was never heard,
brighter bushes never seen than
those in Mr.. Cartons parlor on the
evening Of the leap year ball. A gay
group Of young people had collected
together near the hostess, who was
the brightest reyeler there. Lawrence
watched her from his corner, where he
stood toying with some ornament
upon the mantel piece. Harry was,
as usual in such scenes, close beside
her. s'
"Miss Carlton,n said AFR. Harding,
one Of the group around Madge,
there is one condition in your. invi-
tation not complied with"
"Ipdetdl Rebellion in this camp
must be put down. What is it?"
"The ladies do not mako love to
u.s.
"No, they do not!" echoed several
of the gentlemen. r vt-
''Shockingl Do they want an ex.
smple2 Mr. Hardipg will you take
my arm for a promensds?p ,s5s~
Mr, Harding looked down from his
sin feet high to the tiny little witch
beside him, and then offered her his
"No--take mine! Mr.. Hardingl"
"a sigh. G ElFT ga FFE |
eAliss Carlton, are you iil?9 "
"Noi''-another sigh; "not i'll when
You sigh upon me.
Everybody laughed at Madge's pre-,
tended love- making.
"Ladies, said Madge, stake your
partners for the irst qdardrihe."
. There was plenty Of blushipg and
some pouting, as one or two Of the