The Portland daily press., 1873-05-24

else would be her husband, More than once
MatuIa looked in his direction. and nerceiyed
tnat ms cart was not in his PLAYING. He was
AFRAID TO look at her; he might burst into
Tears IL ne did, she looked so pretty and he
was SO 1ar from her. She danced every set,
Vi course, Once, when the company was
marching round the hall, she came with her
partner close to the side of the platform, anu
stood for moment near him. lie hear u ner
say that she was tired, and warm, anu oiun
think it was so very pleasant alter all. Mar
tin felt so comforted that a great gulp came
in his throat, so loud that the Flute looked at
him. and asked if that 'ere offclide WASH
pulling him down.
ssShut up, you fool" answered Martin, ssor
I'll pitch you headlong into the middle of the
next dance"
Matilda heard this. and she felt better, too.
She admired pluck, and every time she came
near this little fellow he gave her an instance
of it.
The second party young Martin Joined as a
dancer. Nobody knew where he had learned
to dance at all but no man went through his
PAGES with more grace.
HE learned On the anvil, and old Martin
made him dance on the hot iron, suppose"
sneered Edgar Willis.
Down in New London, maybe" laughed
another
II WISH" said Matilda Northwood to Ed
gar Willis, "that Martin Pell heard your
speech hut there is no fence for you here"
'Well, lilly, fyou are going to keep on
Furnishing me must bear it; fellow can't
always control his nerves." he answered.
Your preserver is close by, see; going to
take him out?
Matilda wa stung. Martin kept aloof, and
she understood that the advance must come
from her. Martin was on the alert, and at a
motion from her, he was bowling and asking
her for the next set. 1t was an ordeal for
him. Matilda was at the head of the hall,
above the salt which divided those swho
worked for their living" and those who had
money enough to live without actual labor.
The male and female ancestor of every per-
son in Tacktown was a laborer or tradesman
OF some sort; but there was not common
sense enough for anybody to blow those airs
away, till Matilda and young Martin did that
night.
''Where shall we take our places o. asked
Martin, very pale, and his lips shut so tight,
and his eyes so determined, that Matilda's
heart beat with pleasure. She knew he could
be tested.
"At the head of the first set.''
There they stood, the first couple on the
foor---all eyes upon them. Matilda kept her
face toward him, and smiled rcsolutely. Her
futtering her fan carelessly.
"Let me fan you," he said, and took it
from her, and no polite dandy could have
fitted it with more grace than our young
Martin he twirled it first before her face,
and then bestowed Whit upon his own.
''Well, neyerp' gasped the lookers-on.
''Should think his face would burn! Just
like Matilda Northwood to amuse herself
So" .
But Edgar Willis did not agree to this; he
felt she was in earnest. They were well
aware, Matilda and Martin, that they were
the objects of criticism. As the sets slowly
formed, they ventured to look into each 9TH
er's eyes. Martins face flushed, and he did
not feel quite so selfpossessed. Matilda went
pale, but each knew that the look exchanged
happiness. She wore pretty bracelet.
"How would you like to have me forge you
ont? ' he asked, as she twisted it round her
wrist.
II will wear it she ans 7ered.
'What if it be of iron, aud could give you
ornaments of no other sort ?'
"All the same" r-
ooh, Matilda, be careful, can bear but
little"
She took the fan now, and somehow their
hands touched.
Not from me- Martin? I might ask you
to bear great deal from me.'
The tender accent of her voice was unmis
taxable. She kept her face concealed from
the crowd with her handkerchief, and Martin
stood very near her, almost face to face; in
fact, they were as much alone as if they were
in the wilderness which blossoms as the rose.
The heart alone knows how to discover that
matchless solitude where love is FIRST revealed
Again he began, and so did the violins and
flutes.
s'The other day, when went over to Beg
ham for this suit ofparty clothes, 1 made a
resolution. 1 put something in this vest
pocket, and determined that if ever you
would dance with me, l would offer it to you,
and that if you refused me, would never
wear the suit, nor dance, again."
He was so nervous that he put his hand to
his neck-tie, as if he would denude himself Of
the Nessus apparel at once. Matilda was new
er so moved. Every demonstration that this
obscure little young Martin made pleased her
more and more. She slyly put out her hand
to take his gift. 1t was ring and he not
only slipped it into her hand, but on her fin
ger. 1t was pretty ring, too,-an emerald
circled with pearls.
'You know what mean," he whispered.
GLOW becoming your suit is" she answer
ed; edo wear it. The next dance is yours
'HulPs Victory'-and the next
"All, Matilda?'
every one."
''Balancezr' shouted the conductor.
From the Aldine for June.