The weekly Shasta courier. [volume] (Shasta, Calif.) 1872-190?, 1873-05-10

| pair OF Lan-COlOTcu MUS, tnreo Dutt0neQ
stitched on the backs, accompanied BY a
glove buttoner and a hug from John. The
mention of dyed gloves still raised flush on
her round cheeks and painful recollections
in her heart but she was beginning to ban.
ish the sore subject from her mind and to
half smile to herself when she did think OF
it; for, in spite of the enormity of the sup
| posed offense the vision of her remarkable
appearance when John raised her veil before
the glass was too much for her risibles as il
grew more and more retrospective. For she
was one of those happy mortals who can
not help seeing joke, even when it points
their way.
She came down stairs one evening array
| ed in her best bib and tucker, and was
speedily Joined by John, whose appearance
likewise indicated some approaching festiv-
! ity-all but his face, which wore rather
| disguised expression. what bore par
ties are !" said that world-weary individual
from the height of his twenty-third year.
That depends" answered Marjory with
the superior wisdom of eighteen. If one
meets bright people, they are not bore.
| And I'll give you some advice, Jack: don t
always take it for granted that the girls can
only talk gossip and fashions. Take it for
granted that they have at least as much
sense as you have, and talk about something
worth while"
1.-The descent of man, for instance ?"
suggested John, somewhat mischievously.
From the interest you take in that, I've
no doubt the rest of the girls would be
charmed"
What is that thing somebody said about
the man of one book?" asked Marjory,
looking distracted.
Don't know" replied John "never met
him."
The party was about as lively and as
stupid as parties generally are. There was
little pleasant music, little innocent
square dancing" a very well-ordered sup
per, and good deal of conversation.
Toward the close of the evening the
hostess came to Marjory. my DEAR" she
said, Il have young friend here whom |
wish to introduce to you and your brother
he told me he had heard of Johns interest
in scientific matters, and as he has Just come
to live in the city he has not many acquaint-
ances. He is a very nice fellow. | know
all about him and | want him to have a few
pleasant visiting places; | always feel so
sorry for young man away from his family
in large city. May bring him and intro
duce him to your"
Certainly, if he is not stupid" said Mar
jOry, smiling. There is John; will make
him come here before you have captured
your young man, and then we can be intro
duced together"
John, however, was talking biology or
! protoplasms or something else to an inter
ested listener on the other side of the room,
and was blind to all Marjory's mods and
becks and wreathed smiles" So when the
amiable old lady returned with her prize,
whom she appeared to have captured
without either difficulty or delay. Marory had
the introduction all to herself. She was
not one of those wonderful inventions, a
| girl who can meet mans eye with steady
stare, and for the first few minutes after
their hostess left them she only noticed that
her new acquaintance looked and spoke like
a gentleman, that he had very pleasant
voice, and that, without being pedantic, he
was not talking nonsense. Imagine the SEN
sation which took place in her head when,
at some bright speech from her antagonist
for they had Immediately fallen into an
argument she raised her laughing eye to
his face and saw - one of the youths who
had fallen under her righteous indignation
on the memorable night of the gorilla lect-
ure! Marjory had what are called speak
ing eyes" 1t afflicted her greatly that, no
matter what the emergency her feelings
would appear in her face; so-although she
struggled hard to go on as if nothing had
happened, resolving after hasty mental
review of the situation, to behave as if she
had never seen him before, and upon better
acquaintance demand the truth if she liked
him, and let him severely alone if she did
not - anybody could have seen her counte-
nance change and to her intense chagrn
she felt herself blushing. To make matters
worse, he blushed too, and over his intell-
gent face fitted just the shadow of smile.
This was too much Marjory famed
herself vigorously, and hazarded an original
observation in constrained voice. Don't
you think it very warm here?" she said
"Very!" replied the student of nature.
"Shall we walk in the hall for few min
utes?" and he offered her his arm. She
rested the tips of her fingers on his sleeve.
as they proceeded to walk up and down the
hall, she being saved only by her escort from
collision with various other couples similar
ly employed. This interesting exercise
lasted for some minutes, varied by attempts
at conversation which was about as natural
as spasms. Marjory took desperate reso-
luton. This absurd state of things should
not last much longer, if she could help it.
Il never could act as if nothing was the
matter when something was" she began,
land I can't help it if this is not polite !;
but 1 think. from what Mrs. Grove said
about you, that you will tell me the truth
if | ask you something. Will your" and
she looked up once more.
Certainly, will" he answered gravely.
meeting her glance with steady, honest eyes
and somehow, short as their acquaintance
had been, she believed him.
She had meant to ask him deliberately if
he or his companion, or both, had stolen her
gloves and decorated her face, but she felt
unable to do that with those eyes on hers :;
SO she changed her tactics. and said, rather
meekly, considering what her former feelings
had been: Will you please tell me exactly
what happened the evening that man lect-
ured about the gorilla, and you sat nearly In
front of my brother and me?"
" That was your brother, then ?" he said
quickly, and then stopped, looking little
foolish.
Yes" she answered. with a surprised
glance at his face but you said you would
answer"
Il beg your pardon" he replied al will.
Of course, and know you will believe me-
After your brother left you. you leaned your
head against the pillar, and then, as if the
growing hurt your face, you put your hand
between and then Il must apologize for