Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-02-12


they gabbed | Under n strict promise of secrecy,
the little boarding school maiden who had
kissed me so afectionately, revealed all her love
affairs and also became very unpleasantly con-
hdential about other matters-innocent enough
in themselves, but not customarily talked of
between ladies and gentlemen.
was terribly embarrassed, but it would not
do to give il up then. AS soon as my trick
should become known, Bob Styles trick would
come out, and news of that kind travels fast in
the country, be and his lady-love would be tele-
graphed, and followed before they could reach
Philadelphia where Styles lived and where the
knot was to be tied.
The river breeze was very fresh where we sat,
and noticed that several OF the ladies were
glancing uneasily at me. couldn't divine the
reason, until Jennie, my little friend from the
boarding school, laid 1er face dangerously close
to mine, and whispered any dear Maggie
your dress is blowing up terribly high-your
ankles will be town talk with the gentlemen p'
Now was conscious of having a very small
foot for a man, and had donned pair of open
worked stockings which came up nearly to my
waist, with pair of CATERS borrowed from
servant girl, in all of which toggery my "ruun-
ing gear looked quite feminine and respectable
but the idea of the gentlemen talking about my
ankles, and of thus being told by young lady,
who would have been frightened to death if |
had told her the same thing yesterday, was too
much for me. burst into sort of strangulated
laugh, which could only check by swallowing
half of my filagree laced edged handkerchief.
The young ladies all looked at me in apparent
astonshment at such voice, and wanted to
laugh all the more. Fortunately, Mr.. Bimby
came to my rescue at the moment aud edged
himself in among the crnoine.
tMay | sit here p he asked, pointing to low
stool near me.
Certainly" simpered in my high falsetto.
All, thank you, said Bimqy-with lacka-
dasical air which nausated me, as coming from
one man to another you are as kind as you
are fascinating p
You fatter me ~
al No, indeed praise of you cannot be
hattery, Miss Lee"
"Oh sir, really you are a very naughty man, ,"
said in the most feminine tone could COM
mand.
He cast languishiug glance at me through
the black lace veil and fairly began to fear for
his I" feelings"
We soon arrived at the grove, and found our
band-engaged before underwriting us. OF
course dancing was the first amusement, and
lawyer Bmby led me out for u schottische. 1t
was hard at frst-for me to take a lady's part in
the dance, but | soon got accustomed to it. A
waltz was proposed, and resolved to have II
little amusement at the expense of the unfortu-
nate Mr.. Bimby.
| had first made him puposely jealous by
dancing with two other young fellows, one Of
whom knew in my own character, but who
never suspected me as Maggie Lee. The young
man was great woman-killer--a sort of easy
devil may care rascal, who made the ladies run
after him, by his alternate wrmth of action and
GOODNESS of protestation. selected him to play
off against my legal admirer. allowed him to
hold on me very closely, and occasionally looked
at him with fascinating expression. When we
stopped dancing, he led me to my seat, keeping
his arm about my waist, and permitted it,.
Having thus stirred Bimby up to wrathful feats
of valor, asked of the gentlemen to direct
the musicians to play waltz. Bimby came
Immediately.
"Ahem-a Miss Lee shall have the honor Of
-a-trying waltz with you2'
| smiled a gracious acquiescence, and we
commenced. Now, am an old stager at waltz
ing. can keep up longer than any non pro-
fessional dancer, male or female, whom ever
met. AS long as the Cachuca or Schoun-
nebrunnun rings in my ears, can go on, il it is
a year. Not so with Bimby. lie plead want of
'Aha, old boy" said I, III give you tnru
then"
But ] only smiled and said that should
probably get tired first.
COB, yesl'' be exclaimed. "of course; |
can waltz us long as any one lady, but not much
more.
For the first three minutes my cavalier did
well. lie went smoothly and eavenly, but at
the expiration of that time began to grow warm
Five minutes elapsed, and Bmby's breath came
harder aud harder. On we went, however, and
scorned to notice his slackening up at every
round, when we passed my seat. After some
ten or twelve minutes, the wretched man gasped
out between his steps:
"Ah, a. are you not - get - getting very
tired" I4I.. .. '1l.
ooh no I" / burst forth, as cody as if we
were riding around the room" Oh, no, feel as
if | could waltz all night" l..
Tie look of despair that he gave was terrific
to see. was bound to see him through, how
ever, and we keptat il. Bimby staggered and
made wild steps in all directions. His shirt col
lar wilted, eyes protruded, his jaw hung down
and altogether, saw be could not hold out
much longer. s1,. 4.
"Ths is delightful said l. a" and you Mr..
Bimby, waltz so easily"
"Puf-puff-ah puff-yes oh puff-very,
puff-delightful, he gaped.
=. "Dont yon think it ought to 60 little
faster?'
He rolled his eyes heavenward in agony.
"Ah, puff puff Il dont-ah-puf-don
know"
So when we, neared the musicians, said
g Faster, if your pease-faster," and they
played Ia whirlwind.
Poor Bimby threw his feet about like fast
PAGER, and revolved after the manner of a teeto-
tum which was nearly run down. At last he
staggered a step backwards, and spinning ex.
centricaly away from me. pitched headlong in
the midst of beyy Of young ladies in corner.
| turned around coolly, walked to my seat, and
usent the young woman-kller after glass of ice
water. The miserable lawyer recovered his
senses Just in time to see me thank his rival for
the water. got some idea from this of the fun
young ladies have in tormenting us poor devils
of the other sex.
At this juncture, and before Mr.. Bimby had
time to apologize for his accident, little Jennie
came running into the pavilion which served for
a ballroom. AS she came near | perceived
that her hands were clutched tightly in her
dress, and positively shuddered as she whis-
pered to me;
"Oh, Maggie come and help me fix my skirts