The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1874-06-25
STILL UNMARRIED.

CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
From the first hour of Colonel
Fraser's arrival the whole party had
voted him charming. His voice was
sympathetic, he had good teeth, keen,
rather cold eyes, short, red mustaohe,
still shorter dark-browp hair, bload
shoulders, and beautiful feet and hands.
His manner was perfect; he was
quiet and little sarcastic, which tho
ladies liked !; the men thought him
wonderful shot and a thoroughly good
fellow. Lady Blake was quite epri.e ;
she wore unwonted top.knots and clean
gloves for his benefit, and was quite
tame in his presence.
Blanohe-fokle fair one !-meditat.
ed deposing the dear Berties from their
post, and electing him prime favorite ;
he would be such big dog to lead
about, only query, would he follow2
That even his cousin should reflect
some Of Franks charms was to Lucy
Blake matter of course, and che treat.
ed him with according complaoenoy.
On that simple damsel Colonel Simon
bestowed more attention and kindness
than on the other ladies, from quick
perception Of the state of her affections
and their probable fate, and a conse.
quent ohivalreus compassion.
He will tell Frank all about it, and
adieu to Castle Gloom, adjeu to my in.
trigues, thought George, and she told
herself so with a certain scornful indif.
ference; but he did not, and she was
angry because he cared too little to
tell.
A sort Of impatience 50 possessed her
that she could scarce control it. His
presence stirred in her an emotion she
could not explain, and for which sho
found no vent.
One evening they went out on the
lawn after dinner-all but Simon Fras.
er. George was restless, heard moth.
ing that was said, snubbed Frank, pre-.
tended she was catching cold, and went
indoors by herself. Colonel Fraser
was writing at little table,-she
went up to him,-they were alone in
the room, and laid her hand on the
back Of his chair; he must have seen
the agitation in her face. He looked
up at her, said stialy, Gam I in your
way Z" and made a movement as if to
rise. She walked away from him
without word. A knot gathered in
her throat, something clutched at her
heart so that she could not breathe,
and her limbs shook so that she had to
sit down. She could have uttered .
bitter cry, but she was quite silent. He
got up, folded the note he had written,
and stepped out Of the window to join
the rest of the party.
They used to dance in the evening !;
the neighbors dined Mrs. John Cor.
don played waltzes; the Felloweses
sent their girls: one night they had .
little cotillion.
"Rose or butterfly p Frank Fraser
asked, leading Lady Blanche and Miss
Filmer to his cousin.
"Butterfy," said Simon, looking at
Lady Blanche.
She laughed, and danced off with
Frank. BE had not asked George to
dance once, as yet; now he merely
took one turn of the waltz, and then
with slight bow left her at her seat.
George met the austere gaze of Miss
Lucy as she stood there.
"Flirtisg with him now |" the young
lady was mentally exclaining.
George smiled, laughed, and danced
beautifully all the evening"; but she
felt as wild animal does when baked
Of its spring.
On Saturday night there was no
dancing; the Felloweses dined, stupid
people; the Bertiss, bored by stang.
ers, inveigled Jack Eversley and Simon
into the billiard.reom directly after din.
ner. Blanche, bereft of her little
court, became uusociable, and .nnouno.
ed headache. Mr.. Fello~es tried
hard to keep awake, and could not.
Lady Blake talked solemnly over the
6re,-it was very slow. Mrs. Fsllowe.
had brought niece with red arms and
. wreath, to whom Frank had to do con.
versation.
Amongst other topics the doomed
chamber was aired by the helpful JUL.
Gort. The wreathed niece evinoei
curiosity and interest; and discussio.
ensued on superstition, 60. Mis-
Blake thought superstition unsoriptur
a! and wicked, so did Miss Gort, bu
she would give anything to see wha
would happen if the door we're opened
and George Fllmer asked Frank if b
would really soruple to open it,-reall,
and truly. At first he laughed it of