The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-04-16

tlOA ~ MISS AdcUus anu YET oUnG-
times suspected he felt more than
he was himself aware Of. He was
quite a musician, aud loved music
with passion; so Miss Mason's play
ing was naturally very attractive to
him, and he went every evening to the
parlor and listened as she practiced
for a couple of hours. To that much
encroachment upon her monopoly
Miss Jenny had TO submit
Regarding Miss Mason's impression
about Jack, [ had no idea until the
evening before his return TO River
bend. That evening we were invited
to a party at the Ortons, cousins to the
Ortons of Boston, who had endorsed
Miss Mason. They were among our
leading people, and entertained with
considerable style, and Jenny was Sc
ri0usly engrossed with her prepare
tlOns for some days beforehand.
When the day arrived, she came home
from school at noon, and began her
toilet, which occupied her for the rest
of the day. She little knew what she
risked by being thus off duty, for Jack
aud Miss Mason had a two hours
chat that afternoon, sitting In
the bay window of the breakfast
room, through which the sunshine
had drifted so brightly into my mem
DRY on the morning after his arrival
head-dress and thinking what a rarity
a sensible, spirited conversation, such
as | was listening to, was. They
talked of books and music, art and
character, those wide topics, through
which, as through open windows, we
see into souls; and | wondered again,
as | had on the evening Of Mr.. Hollis
visit, how Jack could content himself
with Jenny. when he might be talking
with Camilla Mason. [ presume they
learned more of one another during
that two hours chat than during all
the previous two weeks. Jenny came
down to tea with her hair in crimp
and otherwise In a ehrysalis- like con-
ditiona and even Miss Mason was not
wholly party proof, for she seemed to
be preparing to omit her usual after
tea practice and to go directly to her
room. Jack interfered, however. I
This is my last evening, Miss Ma
son." be said; are you not going to
play for me?" There was an I'M
Wonted familiarity as well as a kind
ofentreaty in his tone, which must
have been evident to Miss Mason
as it was to me. She dropped
her eyes an instant, then raised
them gravely, as much as
to ask: q" Do / ever play for you, Mr..
Claes and answered, quietly, Not
now"
At nine o'clock I went to the par
lOr and met Miss Mason at the door.
j emmy, too, was punctual, and joined
US alter a few minutes. She looked
pretty in her new dress
very much as a white kitten looks es-
peeially pretty with new ribbons In
its ears. She had a white tarletan.
pulled to the waist, her plump neck
and round arms were bare, and she
wore the pink coral necklace and
bracelets her father had recently
given her Miss Mason was, as usual,
Ia black-a heavy. lustreless silk
which she had brought with her from |
over the water. 1t was made with
long train, aud had no trimmings,
bat 1t suited her tall, elegant figure.
Presently Jack joined US, bringing
with him two very pretty wreaths of
spiraea which he had been making.
He offered one to each Of the girls, I
and asked them to wear them. Jenny
looked to see if one was any better (
or worse than the other, aud finding !
them precisely alike, took hers rath-
er indiherently, aud went 10 the glass |
to put it on.
',Garden flowers for a party, any !
way" she said, Jerking and twisting |
the wreath. which III became her
crimped and ribboned head. They |
be all shriveled up in an hour" and |
a little red and a good deal vexed, |
she proceeded to disentangle the |
wreath, and, throwing it on the floor, !
she tried to repair the damages done !
to her head dress.
Jack 5 attentions were quite gener |
al during the evening. Jenny solaced /
herself with the bookstore clerk.
After supper Miss Mason played.
She had run through some fantasies Z
and brilliant mazourka, and then (
suddenly her fingers slid into that /
limpid prelude Of Doehler's Rev
erie, and It's shriH shiver of despair I
went Through the crowd People be I
gan to talk instantly. Most Of those A
around the piano moved away Jack I
Claes. heEeYeT, crossed the room. and .
stood by herI listening. When she 4.
playing, he said:
'sEhat IS f'dn1eade honorable fOr'f
your refusal to play for me awhile I
ago. 9ailo 4a@
+ Yes she answered, simply. II I
meant that for You.
An exRltant IookIeaped terhis eyes; 7
size was rising from the piano and did .