The Van Buren press., 1874-04-14

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ladies 2 said familiar voice SO near my
ear that started in affrighs
The black. k.eyed young lady slipped
aside to give Mr. Cheston place n,ar
by. Several persons were presented to
him; among the Others. He paid me
M particular attention, and took chair
beside Gertrude.
Didn't you inquire what we were
talking about, Mr.. Cheston. said the
black eyed young lady
Il believe had the audacty to do 50,
he replied, smiling But the smi . was
very different from the one remembered
to have seen upon his face.
I'VE were speaking of kisses, said
Gertrude, quickly, with saucy smile
And Hattie Latimer declared that she
didn't believe you cared for them.
started. had never before heard
my sister utter a deliberate falsehood.
Il am very sorry that Miss Latimer
thinks me so Indifferent to that most per
feet luxury in life, he replied, glancing
up at her.
Victory. Hattie! Mr. ChAt,n does
believe in kisses, cried Gertrude, with a
smile SO bright as to dazzle the eyes, so
that bnt two Of us saw the hidden malice.
think Miss Hattie was about making
an attempt to struggle out ofthe position
into which my sister bad thrust her; but
Louise Analic, who had sauntered uI |.
moment before, exclaimed. 20, MIR.
Cheston, don't you remember that you
once attended forfeit party, and wore
the most dissatisfied face ever saw in
my life, all the EVENING"
But, Mrs Analie, that was because
consider forfeit sacrilege of the caress.
be replied 1t is converting the beauti
full into the useful, and ruinlng its pecu
liar value by so doing / regret, how
ever, that my face betrayed my feelings.
Assure you that the rudeness was not
intentional
MIR. Cheston is apparently uncon
seious that several young ladies are look
ing at him very admiriDgly, said low
voice near me.
turned round. 1t was Mr. Maynard,
who was in fever Of jealousy because
Rose Lawton's bright eyes were fixed
upon the gentleman in question.
Take care. Cheston, cried Gertrude.
I'm afraid you don't know what you are
bringing upon yourself Having declared
yourself So much in favor Of tho most
perfect luxury in life, we young ladies
have you quite at our own mercy. Ac-
cording to your assertion, doubt ifyou
could resist the reward Of a kiss from a
pretty girl who might be sueing for ia
vor. Could your
Yes, he replied.
How SO !? she asked.
Because q kiss given in that way
would be Of little value, said Mr.. Ches
ton.
I consider that a very unkind speech.
coming as it does from the lips Of man
who is well aware that kisses are lady $
favorte bribe, replied Gertrude, flushed.
but laughing. 1t is a most ungallant
speech. Mr. Cheston. you must stand
trial for punishment
Il will make it short by choosing Rose
Lawton Tor my judge, he replied, laugh
ing, and glancing up INTO the smiling eyes
Of the little beauty.
Your chastisement shall be to confess
whom you kissed last, said she, gaily.
That is not fair, he said, because
the lady is present, and the punishment
would fall rather upon her than me-
Whereupon they cll burst into a merry
laugh.
We'll, then, you can tell whom you
intend to kiss next, said Rose.
That will not do either, said he. Il
should never be able to put my intentions
into effect.
DO you keep an account Of your
kisses as you do of your expenses, Ches
ton ? called out Mr. Maynord.
Yes, replied Mr.. Chcston, quietly.
Now have it, cried Rose Lawton.
: You shall tell how many ladies you have
kissed during the last five years.
l will do so on condition that my
word shall not be doubted, said he,
gravely.
we will believe you certainly, Rose
replied. Now listen, good folks!
Not one, said Mr.. Cheston. quietly
upon which everybody looked aston.
ished.
80, Mr.. Chcston, you amaze us = cried
Rose.
Hugh is probably faithful to some
fair lady who favored him before, said
Mrs. Analie, who had been listening qui-
etly for few moments.
Exactly said Mr.. Chcston, rising
with bow, and turning away to some
one who had called him impatiently.
o, the significant glances and cxclama-
tons Of wonder that were circulated
through the group after his departure
Ard what are you thinking Of, little
mouse? said Mrs. Wilson, bending to-
ward me. Your cheeks are red as
roses.
She would have been overwhelmed
with astonishment il had told her.
Three weeks had passed, and Mr..
Cheston and | were on no more intimate
terms than we had been on that flrst even.
ing. BY degrees overcame my sensi
tiveness regarding him. He had forgot.
ten, thought, the romantic Incident Of
my childhood which had always such
charm for me, and wondered at myself
for ever supposing that he had ever re
it beyond the present moment.
It made me little sad to know that all
my pleasant thoughts concerning it were
castles IN the air, aud slightly humliat-
ing, taken in connection with his polite
TO me, to know that those