The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-01-28
DARROw's POND.
H. N. ADAIR.

10 bEe young people OF CllttO0, meant
skating and, if Darrow's pond had been
a rational being, it world have expected
visitors when the frost king first fettered
its dancing ripples. Not being rational,
bat only clear, pretty lake, perhaps it
did not care, but to those accustomed
to heed the language that nature ever
speaks to those who love her, it seemed
that the frozen lake smiled a welcome
TO the merry party that came down its
bank on this December afternoon. In
twos or threes, young men and maid
ems, they reach ii lake. There are the
Davis sisters. and their brother; next
come Fanny Merrill and her cousin John
Rushton then Retta Marston, her
brother, and Fred Stone and, last of
all, Nina Kenyon and Louie Wallace,
attended by Lawrence Winston and Eu-
gene Darant. What shouts of merry
laughter rang out, and how the gay
echoes auswt red from the Clifton hills.
What awkward attempts Lena Davis
made, and how patient Will Marston
was in his efforts to teach her. How
Lille Davis flirted with Fred Stone;
and how Retta Marston's black eyes
danced with fun as she teased shy
George Davis. The poor fellow was
over head and ears In love with his
dark eyed tormenter, but it was doubt
full whether or not he would ever sum-
mon the courage to tell her SO.
" Do keep John from interrupting my
fun yet, Nina, that's a good girl" said
Fanny Merrill, in a hasty aside, as she
skated off with Mr.. Winston. Nina
smiled, and did her best to console Mr..
Rashton for his disappointment, though
she was half amused and half provoked
70 note his discOnsolate expression as
Fanny left them. The prettiest and
most graceful skater was Louie Wallace.
She looked like On elf from FairyIand,
she was so small and frail, and yet so
lovely in her cOquettish skating dress
of dalk blue, with her golden hair knot
ted back, here and there a loose curl
escaping from the coil, her blue eyes
danci, 6 and her cheeks crimsoned with
cold. Nina's dark eyes followed the
light figure lovingly, as she answered
Mr.. Rushton's last question.
An orphan? No, her father is liv-
ing her mother died when Louie was a
baby"
"Ddrant seems very devoted" said
Rushton, as the two couples again passed
each other, cor Is that just his ordinary
manner ?"
VIVA HA4A hkRCA uGI blOulu6IBs NEAL
ly, 1 cannot tell you"
Shall we listen to the words passing
between Louie and her tall cavalier
They are skating side by side they APP
proach a rough place in the ice. Eu-
gene says
"Give me your hand, Miss Ionic.
breakers ahead"
She glides from him, and Joins him
after they pass the roughness.
" You are too proud to be taken care
of, are you?' Gays Eugene. "Pride
goes before fall remember"
" So it seems" laughs Louie, looking
over her shoulder to where Fred Stone
lay sprawling on the ice.
Miss Louie, do be serious for a
minute"
''Mr. Duraut, do be sensible for sew
eral minutes"
" Are you going to answer the ques-
ton 1 asked you Just now ?"
She hushes scarlet, but says nothing.
d" L have the right to demand an
answer, Miss Louie. Is it yes or no ?"
eyes, it," she hesitates, and cuts
circles in the ice.
If what ?"
"Papa will say no, says Louie, with
a little culver in her voice, half angry
and half mournful.
hope not, Eugene says.
" Louie. do you love me?"
ooh, after a fashion," and Louie
darts off to the other extremity of the
pond. 50 the afternoon wears on till
they, weary of their sport, and when
the winter stars peep forth, Darrow's
pond is deserted, and the echoes ring
no more among the hills.
Two nights afterward there was a
party at Mrs. Davis. Louie looked
prettier than ever in her dress of pale
blue, cloudy with misty lace, her golden
hair caught back with "tender blue
forget. tine nots." So thought her es-
cort, Fred Stone, who must be consid-
cred an impartial judge, for to him Nina
kenyon's dark face was the fairest in all
the world. Nina was not beauty, but
she looked very handsome that night,
IN her black lace dress, with scarlet
pomegranate blossoms in her hair.
Eugene Durant was late; he came
alone, and after paying his respects to
the hostess, stood Watching the moving
throng, till he saw the gClden head and
laughing eyes of Louie Wallace, It
was not long before he persuaded her to
promenade with him.
"NAN w SCI NOuA A1tuCL NO-uAFs
he said, after a little, in a tone that did
not express much pleasure at the
thought. Louie looked up, ques-
tiouingly.
"Come ont here, and let me talk to
you," said Eugene, and they stepped
out on the sheltered porch.
Your father refused his consent,
He saye, and very justly, that am too
wild. l told him that 1 could and
would be steady, for yonr sake, but he
didn't have much iaith in my promises.
Then he said you we're too young to
think of marrying anybody"
Too young J" said Louie, with all
tho insulted dignity of almost eighteen.
" Anything else p
Eugene was silent, but he set his
teeth as he remembered the taunting
words the rich man had said to him.
" What else did papa say ?" demanded
Louie
"What more do you want? You and
have each furnished an objection"
And papa furnishes another"
" No, and he spoke bitterly; 81
furnish that, too"
"Papa needn't say it is because you
are wild and I'm young" Louie saws.
impetuously. CT know better money
Is the only thing he cares for. He"
"Lnttie - Engene's voice is stern.
" Don't talk so, Louie it is not right.
Your father loves you dearly, and you
know it. And Louie is penitent in a
moment.
a. ara poor, but I will be rich. I
will make money. VIII you wait for
me, Louie p
Eyes, will wait, - she answers grave
II, raising her pure, truthful eyes to
his face. 81 will wait for you"
Another skating patty a few weeks
after Christmas. The Davis sisters and
Durant were not there. There had
been a slight thaw, aud in some places
the ice had been too thin for safety. but
it seemed that the danger only added to
the enjoyment of the sport. They were
in the midst of a race, when those in
front were startled by a quick, fright.
ened cry, and turning, saw a break in
The ice and tiny, gloved hand graspiDg
the edge. Keep back, all of you"
shouted VIII Marston, and they stood
still, with fast-besting hearts, while he
carefully approached the break. He
was JUS in time to grasp the hand as it