Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-08-13

dressing Here my spirits are again
damped by the vicinity of the looking
glass; however, say nothing, but resign
myself to my fate. On descending the
stairs we meet our father in the Iall He
looks at Maud.
"Well, my little beauty" he exclaims,
land how many hearts do you intend
breaking with that bewitching bonnet of
yours? l don't think we shall find many
TO equal our Maud there to-day; ell,
HelenY'
:" No, indeed" answer, warmly.
"And what shall we say about you, my
petH' he says, taking both my hands affd
looking at me earnestly.
Nothing very complimentary" / an
swer shortly, " so it had better be unsaid,"
and gave little sigh
My father notices the words and the
sigh that follows them, and cloud passes
over his brow
My Helen" he says, "has her own
dear mothers face, which in all the world
is the one for me-"
"Thank you, dear father" answer !;
you could have thought of no compli-
ment that could make me better satisfied
with my own looks"
This conversation makes us both a lit
tie grave during the first part of the drive /;
but Maud's laughter and high spirits force
us to be cheerful in spite of ourselves,
and / am quite sorry when our journey
comes to an end and we find ourselves
drawn up in front of the entrance to
Thornington House, as the Wilmots' place
is called. After few minutes converse
ton with our hostess we are ushered into
the croquet-garden, where several games
are already being played. Maud is at
once secured to make up set but, as de
test croquet above all other games, | take
my fathers arm and he and l saunter to.
gether through the grounds, and, reaching
the lake, we unfasten one of the boats and
feel delightfully."- happy rowing about by
ourselves However, our solitude is not
of long duration, for, as l rest lazily on
my oars and look about me, | hear, stead
lily advancing from around the nearest cor
ner, another boat. 1t soon comes into
view and contains one young man, who is
rowing, and another reclining at full
length, smoking a pipe and looking the
very picture of laZiness. In another min
ute they are alongside of us, and recog-
nize in the one that is rowing Arthur VIII
mot, the eldest son of the house; the other
is stranger, probably one of his London
friends. The former is the first to speak.
well done, Miss Derrick" he ex-
claims. :" had no idea you were such
proficient in the art of rowing, but felt
sure that you were much too sensible to
indulge in anything so idiotic as croquet.
Eyre and | could not stand it any longer.
BY the bye, allow me to Introduce my
friend Eyre" (Here the young man in
reclining position raises himself and lifts
his hat) $50 we came out here to enjoy
a quiet weed, not thinking we should also
find so delightful a companion" with a
series of bows.
/ do not pay any attention to what he is
saying; | am too accustomed to Arthur
Wilmot's meaningless compliments by
this time but l turn my head and look at
his lazy friend. A tall, muscular looking
man, with brown hair, and very sun
burnt complexion, brown eyes, which
look truthful and sincere, and mus
taciIe of tighter shade tiIan his hair.
"By no means handsome" l think to
myself, " and yet nice face, very nice
face"
Soon we enter into conversation, during
which learn that Mr.. Eyre is Lieuten-
ant in the royal navy, and has come to
stay at the Wilmots' for some time in
fact, he is kind of connection of theirs
by marriage. The time passes most de-
lightfully, and we are all sorry when the
a
geous repast is spread for our delectation
When this is over, we--that is to say,
the female part of the ompany-adjourn
upstairs to take off our bonnets Ito my
secret delight and Maud's chagrin) and to
prepare for the great event of the evening
dancing; but when | once more ap-
proach my enemy, the looking glass, | find
that the rowing and the heat and the con-
versation have given me quite color, and
the blue bonnet is anything but unbecOm-
ing. This last discovery gratities me in
tensely.
al hope he saw it like that" 1 think to
myself, and then rush to Maud.
"What have you been doing with your
self all the afternoon, Helen?" she asks.
why, child, you have got quite a col
orr"
ooh! l have had some one so nice in.
troduced to me, Maud" exclaim. "You
know him; l am sure you and he will get
on admirably together"
consider this last speech an act of un-
selfishness on my own part, as introducing
a man to my sister generally means relin.
| gushing all share of him myself. How
ever, | make the sacrifice, though moi
without an inward sigh.
His name is Eyre" l add; "he is q
|
staying with the Wilmots."
"I do know him." says Maud, quietly
''he was introduced to me this after.
noon"
"And you like him ~ ask.
Every much"
And did he not stay with you?''
"Only little time. Edith WilmO
tells me he is very lazy, and never take;
the trouble to talk TO anyone"
"Ohl doesn't he?" 1 answer, triumph
antly; why, he has been talking to mt
nearly the whole afternoon"
Doubtless" says Maud; "but, yor
see, cannot pretend to your superior at
fractions"
! 1t is the first piece Of sarcasm that MAUD
has ever addressed to me earnestly in he
life, and it brings the tears to my eyes.
MAUD" l exclaim, show cruel o
youl when you know"-and my voic'
falters.
"Oh! forgive me, Helen" she says
You know l never meant it-that l for
got what was saying. You believe me
HelenS" she adds imploringly.
/ believe you, Maud,N | answer, anC
we go down together into the dancing
room.
There we find all the company assem-
bled, and the first waltz just about to be
gin. We are presented with programmes
Maud's commenced filling at once. pu
mine into my pocket, not thinking it will
be much required. In another minut
Maud is pirouetting all over the room
and seat myself on one of the chairs ant
resign myself to my inevitable fate, name
ly: that of becoming a wall Never
theless, l am not very happy, although
the situation is no new experience 10 me
for love dancing, and my feet tap tn
floor impatiently, and l feel an irresist
BILE longing to get up and dance by my
self However, a sense of propriety rt
strains me, and soon l see my father
, cheerful face approaching me.
"Well, ladybird, not dancingS How
t this?"
Z :" No one has asked me, papa" l sa,
turning it off with laugh.
7 No one asked your Dear mel How
thaty Here, Wilmot, can you find par