Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1874-11-19
WHAT CANE OF THE PARTY

We were returning from our walk
in the woods, Esther Digby and my.
self. Although we were not real
heart friends, we entertained for each
other, passably friendly feeling. Fol
some reason she had made me heI
con6dant, and when our hostess, Mrs.
Barton, announced, one morning at
breakfast, that she was expecting her
old friend, Charlton Wise, down to
spend a few weeks with her, Esther
gave me a look by which l under
stood she had more confidence in store
for me.
At the announcement, Mrs. Bar
ton was overwhelmed with questions,
Of course.
There was quite party of US, a
dozen or more, ladies and gentlemen,
spending the summer months with
Mr.. and Mrs. Barton.
"Who is the attraction, Mrs. BIZ
asked Harvey Chase.
/ Myself, of course" she answered.
"Do YOU think because | have been
married three years, that I've ceased
to be attractive to young gentlemen
mean, of course, to those who are
not engaged"
This brought the laugh on Har-
vey, whose engagement 10 Fannie
Trip, was no secret.
Esther took possession OF me, as
soon as we left the table, and car
ried me off to her room to tell me that
this Charlton Wise had been very
devoted to her before he went to
Europe, two years before, and it was
on her account that he was coming
down to Mrs. Barton's. He was
very rich, about twenty six, very
handsome and all that. He probab-
| ly had learned from his sister. where
she was sojourning; his sister was a
friend of hers and on his account she,
Esther, kept up the friendship.
/ was surprised, though, when We
met in the parlor that night before
tea, Esther came in and going direct,
| lv to the new conner, said, "Charlton
Wise, how do you do, I am go glad to
see you"
"Miss Digby, as live!" said he,
rising, 81 had TO idea of meeting you
here, and unmarried, too"
His words, 80 freely spoken, caus'
ed her not little embarrassment, as
she knew they would enlighten us as
to his feelings regarding her. For,
evidently, from her speaking to me
as she had done, l was expected to
consider herself the magnet, and his
greeting had been a contradiction t.
the impression she had given me.
But now he had been with us two
weeks, and she had managed to keer
him well at her side, but still, during
the time, / had passed some very
pleasant hours in his company. AS
reading gave me severe headache
he had several times spent the morn
ing in the library with me, reading
aloud but soon discovered that this
caused Esther good deal of uneasl
ness. and as | wished to cause no un
pleasantness, quietly broke it up, by
doing my reading in my own room,
Our hostess was to give a party
and it was for the purpose of getting
a quantity of trailing vines for th'
adornment of the rooms, that we hat
been in the woods.
AS we were very tired, We seated
ourselves upon the edge of rock
which being somewhat shaded, seem
ed to extend an invitation which vi
were nothing 10th to accept. after
ward discovered to my sorrow, tina
this rock overhung the river hanl
some feet below.
Near the rock grew bush will
whose bright pink flowers Esther wa
delighted don't touch it, Esther!
| cried, at might poison you"
"No. it won't. l have handled /
before" she replied "Does it poisol
you :" she asked quickly.
90, fearfully," l answered
In very adroit manner she pull
ed a cluster of the flowers, leaDin,
forward across me for the purpose
and as she broke the stem, the branch
with its mass of leaves, springing bacl
into its place, hit me full across tn
cheek. As / was on the extrem
edge of the rock, the sudden blo'
caused me to loose my balance, ant
the next second found me lying quit
faint and dizzy at the foot OF the rock
Esther had to make quite circni
in order to reach me, and in he
fright and dread | think she wa
longer than was necessary.
As soon as fell, oSever, heart
an exclamation and felt myself raiset
to a sitting posture, | was leanin!
on some ones shoulder and some one
dark, proud head was bent down owe
, mine; the warm cheek laid TO mint
gave me strangely happy feeling
J for knew before | looked up that j
was Charlton Wise.
| am sure the tender look he gav'
me called forth an answering one be
fore my lids drooped hot and heavy
upon the blush that felt mantling m,
cheeks.
"How did it happen Are YOU in
iured in any way?' he asked. in
low tone, drawing me closer to hin
than the necessity of the case requir
ed.
sI think not hut feel little faint