The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1868-09-12


and myself. and begged with much empressn.
for the honor of her hand for the next dan
Her easy acqniescence increased my boldness, a
without giving one thought TO the audacity
my behavior, but with vague suspicion that
| entered the ballroom Osborne would manage
some unpleasant fashion to nip my Irritation
the bud turned to the French window openi
to the garden, and Offering my arm to the youl
lady, suggested how much pleasanter would be
quiet stroll in that lovely moonlight than the he
and crush of the crowded ballroom. To this S
at first demurred, but as stood. firm, she ga
way, and with an adorable little nsoue of defian
a shrug of her ivory shoulders, and a deprecat
ry side-glance al Inc, she put her arm in min
wondered family what people would think of h
| non appearance, and allowed me to lead her fro
| the close, oppressive atmosphere of the house
| the fresh scent-laden breezes of an English ga
den in July.
| By Jove how triumphant | felt l. the sh,
mannerless boy-the butt OF that wretch Osborne
! !, who was supposed not to be able to say Bo
| goose, much less pretty woman Here WI
| with the loveliest girl had ever met on my arm
| pressing her hand gazing into her eyes, murmul
| ing soft speeches in her ear, and meeting with n
repuSe. On the contrary, there was actual Ell
couragement in the bright flush which came an
went on her young cheek, in the downcast lash
es, the Pleading looks OF her violet eyes, in ih
unresisting passiveness of the soft small hand
held in mine. WeinstiEctively chose those path
which were least overlooked by the .receptio,
rooms. This was not so easy Il matter The gar
dens, though pretty laid out in smooth-shavel
lawn and brilliant howerbed. had taseless ab
sence OF shade about them. Each path and walk
were so open to inspection, and the bright Jul,
moon though so fair and beautiful, seemed tina
night to he too vivid in its beams-exceeding il,
N and ao hacnu tbar ,
than otherwise. This idea appeared to strike nv
fair companion equally with myself, for, with s
gentle pressure OF my arm, she drew me into a
side path away from the house, which had i'm
agined in my Own mind TO he No Thoroughfare
ii being ended by high iron gate. or this how
ever she seemed to know the secret for she quick
~ opened it, and stood leaning against it, wait
ing for me to pass through. What picture she
made standing there, the light breeze stirring her
golden hair, aud the pale moonheams shedding
an nnearihly radiance over her finely chlsecd
features, her 1.-THE graceful figure, and the soft
Grape ami water lilies of her dress Nv Young
pulses beat as, as gazed, and only a dim feel
ing OF respect for her trust aud Loneliness prevent
ed me from kissing her outright. The young
lady's vivacily seemed to increase as we left gar
den, music, lights, and supervision behind u.s.
There WAS wild sparkle in her eye, and kind
OF fierce energy in her manner as she suddenly
faced me, and said, "Now sir, you will he please
to tell ME who you are, why you came here p
Taking her hand in mine, ard murmuring. II
am your devoted slave, and came all the way
from Pail Mall only to see you," followed her
into the Irui garden, the iron gate closing slow
ly tehind with dull, cruel sound.
"Now for the gooseberries, said the lady.
81 know the finest bushes, and if you are really
my devoted slave you will not mind picking me
h.,t Io,r Il.
A sudden shiyer, "take care and do not prick
yourselfr'
Now | cannot say have ever felt welldispos-
ID towards the gooseberry. consider it Wi
gar fruit, and none Of my associations connected
With it are Of " pleasurable description. From
ny earliest Infancy | was told that my grand
ather had played 'old gooseberry" with the fam
ly estates; an interesting hoydeu OF thirteen
more than once informed me that my eyes close
y resembled that fruit when boiled and have
lever met my friend in society, sailing under false
olors in thin disguise of tin-foil, wire, eferves-
ence, and ice, that have not said to myself in
he words of Mr. Whttilterley 10 his wife when
he was enjoying the too-eXhausting society ofthe
obility-"You will suffer for this tomorrow"
therefore do loathe the gooseberry, even when
tucked and prepared on the dining-room table 4;
15 r6ne el' Sscs asa5 ala io PICK teIn
)anQS lnIS ID I'LL iduiOuHt VI Wv" 81 ""'SN'y
or which the fruit itself offers no compensation.
,ut for that violet-e. ed vision in Grape and liles
What would not have gone through So, draw
np off my gloves and taking small penknlie
rom nv pocket, knelt down by the side of the
pushes and began picking the plump, ripe oer-
les. and giving them to my fair enslaver, who
tie them with much satisfaction. plucked and
ut she ate, the monotony Of the proceedings
,eing relieved by some delicious pauses, in which
,ur eyes and hands would meet, and our hearts
brill with mutual sympathy. In my entranced
tate forgot the young lady's caution, and gath
red the fruit heedlessly enough.
of pointed blades struck deeply into my
;npers and, thinking we had enough OF goose
berry picking for the present, | rose from my la
oors. and gave the last few had gathered to my
who was standing against small
-ruit-tree by my side. In doing so, drop OF
blood fell from my cut finger on the little white
hand held out to receive my offering. The moon
was shining more brightly than ever, and lit up
the whole scene with the clearness of day. The
girl cast her eyes to her hand, and marked the
crimson stain glistening therein the mellow light
Good God What was it? Why did my blood
suddenly freeze within Inc What was this aw-
full terror which was taking possession OF me!
WHY do her eyes change and her mouth lose us
lovely expression in those herce, unnatural lines
WHY is her small hand rigid with rage as she
noints to the hateful stain know not know
and feel nothing but frantic wish to run-to
run from this awful spectre, standing in the moon
light by the dark green appletree. see the frotn
seething through the pale lips, the wild roll OF the
fierce ewes, the livid pallor of the fair cheeks.
hear her shrill scream of triumph as she sees and
seizes the small knife glittering on the ground,
where | had dropped it; and with supernatural
will lift my feet, which seem rooted to the earth,
and run-run for dear life. hear still ringing
on nv ear that fearful burst of unnatural, dreary
laughter bubblng from her lips-the sharp, hys,
terical, animal-like cry OF BLOOD BLOOD T. ana
then the swift, light steps OF pursuit. know not
which way to turn, when suddenly think ofthe
oate and rush in that direction | hear her steps
Gaining rapidly upon me, feel her hot breath
nnon nv neck as turn the corner and see the
gate at The end of the walk. fly like the wind.
Shall reach the gate In time? 1t may be locked
I think-No, mercy it is ajar. | am just through
when with savage yell and cat-like spring she
is on me. feel her iron grsp upon my throat,
and nv heart stands still with terror. A passing
cloud had obscured the moon, and now ielt
more than saw the ghcstly shlmmerlng OF ner
white dress, the faint, distorted outlines or her
terrible face and the convulslve strainngs OF her
frame. | think of the knife-nay, feel its sharp
point lOuCuluS, WouHuin6 ny eAS
den. desperate effort shake off the paralysis ol
terror which is freezing my blood to ice, and
with all strength am master of wrench myself
free from her murderous grasp, and, selzing hel
wrists fling her violently, savagely from me
She falls. 1t is no time for qualms; and rusi
on. bleeding and breathless through the gate
up the walk, over lawn and fower-bed, straigh
to the open window of the ballroom. AS reacl
the terrace hear the gate open and my pursuer
rapid footsteps on the gravel path. have oniy
time to wrap my handkerchief round my bleed
ing hand and enter the ballroom, when she rush
es after me with the spring of tiger, shrieklng
with foaming lips, the same fearful cry of"Blood
| Blood. 49,,
Four of the muscular attendants seize the llthe
struggling figure of the poor maniac--for mani
ac she wus-and bear her, in spite OF her terror
shrieks, out Of the apartment.
sIll never come to these asylum balls again,
said nervous, corpulent old gentleman, VINO ma
heen near witness of the scene. 81 though
| these violent ones were never allowed to be pres
ent. shall see after my carriage at once. 10
| bad-too bad u
understand ii all now. The little pracuc'
Joke, so pleasantly arranged by my friends IN u!
morning was 10 take me unwittngly to this al
nual ASYLUM ball. that they might extract iiit
finn out of me-amuse themselves, in fact, al m
freshness and innocent mistakes. went up
them. and was on the point OF S eking an expi
nation Of the whole business, when stoppf
abort. For the first time in his life Osborne w
not ND to taunt or q sneer. His lips were oioo
less his whole aspect that of man shocked
his very marrow and as reached him he it
senseless to the ground.
| Tho nnhanny uirl I had so strangely met W