The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-03-17

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spirited girl was now faint, drop
lping figure, with only just strength
lenough to creep up stairs to her bet
lroom, where she crouched down be
fore the fire, a crumbled mass o.
white lace and clingiDg cTede, shiVer
ing with fright at every wall ofthe
wintry wind bowling round the
house.
"Oh that / had never written to
that terrible astrologer-that horrid
mysterious man! Fancy the very
person appearing in my path-the
very person.. l declare I should
have known him among a Thousand.
though he is not terrible. fol he
looks very nice. Oh, it is dreadful!
| have heard of such things as fates
In the stars, told by wise men, but 1
never believed it. lido now though.
How fortunate it is that nobody
knows it, l will take good care thev
never do y 31 ta 1a :
With this thrilling secret at her
heart, Maggie sat and shivered an
other twenty minutes. Then came
footsteps, followed by a troop Of
girls rushing in.
"Why Maggie, where have you
beenp cried one. "We wanted you
for a cushion dance"
"Oh Maggie, where are2 Have
you seen grandpapa's pet-such a
romantic stir when he arrivsdt" ex-
claimed a rosy girl, with forget-me-
nots in her hair.
"And he's adorableP' said an
other.
"He's adear," chimed in another.
"He's the son ofgrandfather's eld-
est daughter and she is dead, so the
old gentleman thinks worlds of him,
said q matter-of- fact young lady, ad.
justing her chignon. II have heard
he is a terrible scamp" SAID another.
"Rubbishr' said another. aHe is
a regular jolly fellow, Marc. Ine7-
er saw such eyes; and he gazes so
snxiou ly around, one would think
he was looking for somebody"
And so he was, you know, reader.
The girls fingers had been as busy
as their tongues, and, wreaths being
settled to their satisfaction, they
made move to go down for snap
dragons; and Miss Barton with the
awful secret locked in her baeast,
went too, for fear of exciting sur
prise.
Meanwhile Mr.. Jack Carleton was
in his element. All the time he was
Joining in the dancing and games
his eyes were diligently seeking
among the guests for the signor's
fair correspondent. A dozen times
he thought he recognised her in.
some fair yellow haired lady, till.
some unfamiliar feature altered his
opinion. "rm sure should know
her," he said to himself, "though all
the girls are exactly alike"
Mr.. Csrleton's eyes, therefore, did
double duty; and, presently, when a
pale girl with a dropping geranium
in her hair entered in the rear of q
dozen more, down went Mr.. Carle
toms glass Of sherry; and, forgetting
the lady by his side and Lindley
Murray, an energetic THAT'S herF'
burst from his lips.
That's who, Mr.. Carleton!' in
quired his astonished companion.
"That7 Why-she-wil you take.
some negus, Mrs. AllertonT he said,
suddenly recoIecting; but his eyes
were following Miss Barton, and he
scarcely heard the reply. "That's
her-yes, I'm sure of it. How.
scared she looks! There's something
on her mind, I conclude.
She's very pretty, though. / wonder
if she has got my carte. Ha! ha!
what a spree! Lemonade? Yes,
madam, I'll fetch you some" And
he darted away, fully determined not
to return to that part of the room
for some time. ~
A servant was standing near the
door, and Mr.. Carleton addressed
him in an undertone:
"What is the name of that young
lady standing near the fire. place, and
talking to my grandmother
"With the red flower In her hair,
sir7 That's Miss Barton, sir. She
came with Mr.. Frances and mis-
daughters. She was here lastChrist-
mas, sir" Il
Jack worked his way dexterously
round the room, and by the time he
was within ear shot Of the young Ia
dy there was a cry to put out the
lights for snap dragons; and while
they went out with g Whit, sharp
spring placed him at her side. "Miss
BartOn-Maggie-hOw do you do"
There was little glow from the
fire, just enough for him to see the
shiver his words caused. She raised
her dark eyes, with shade of dis
pleasure overcoming her fear; but
Of course he could not see that, and
be continued to murmur unintellgi-
bic nothings, till, in common polite
ness, she was bound to murmur un-
nothings back again. But
Of course the ice had to be broken.
Il shall arrive at the deep waters Of
by-and-by," said Mr.. Car
Ieton, to himself He was apt to be
carried away by poetical enthusiasm,
1t times.
A few more sentences, and then,
While the rest were pressing round
he burning dish, jack made bold
troke.
"Do you know you owe me KISS
Giss BartonT'
The experience Of the last few
ours had already reduced her to
tate of mute resignation. Nothing
e could say would much astonish
er now, so to this remarkable ques-
on she only answered, "Do Ig''
"Do you? Why yes, Maggie.
DOnt you remember Jack Carletonp
''Are-you-Jack Carleton?" came
ON lips that were eturning to their
atural color.
''Yes, indeedw he replied. "Am
so much alteredP' Perfect as
,nished and silence, ''And you
we me a kiss" Jack continued;
you remember that, don't you, Mag
lie? I'm going to have it now.
Quick as thought, an impromptu
iss was taken in the dark, while
ne rest were burning their fingers,
nd then shrieking in the usual