Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-12-11

ssTean again Chrissy turned and went
slowly up to the house, flaming bunch
Of Cardinals in one hand and the rem-
nAnss Of the grapes in the other.
Where have You been. Miss Chris
" p was the cosk's rather gross greet
ing. e.S1pper is over an hour since. YOu
viii lave 10 take pickings in the PAN
try
Super was the last thing Christy
thought Of. The remembrance Of the
3 party came back 10 her. and after har-
ried peep at the decorated pArlors. she
ran Epst&irs &nd began 70 dress She
vas very happy as she industriOusly
scrubbed the stains of her hands. Could
it be possible that Mr.. Ross-thst Mr..
Ross whom she had admired afar of as
she might have done young god-had
talked to her an hour and roEed her
home , And be was coming to the party
tonight (Christy shrewdly guessed that
the party was given for himl and per-
h2ps be would speak to her again.
Maria curlei her hair. and pulled it
cruelty, but Christy was very serene
Her white muslin dress and tiny slip
pers were quickly dOnned, few flowers
pinned at throat and belt and she was
ready. The pArlOrs were already light
ed. and the full noon shone on the piaI-
Eas and dewy gardens There was a
subiued hustle in the kitchen, and Belle.
5 radiant vision Of beauty. had already
swept down stairs 1t seemed as if ev-
cry one had come. The first strains of
music had already sounded. the dance
vas beginning. and no Mr.. Ross yet
Christy was much in demand. So tired
was she Of fastening sashes and trains
and bows. Of running for pins and pow
der. that when at last the 1ressing-rOom
was empty. she thankfully descended
the stairs. and timidly creeping in at
the rear door Of the parlOr. Immediately
shielded herself behind lace curtain.
There were Waiting. What would
poor Chrizty have given to have been "a
grOwn-up young lady :" Her little slip
pered feet beat the carpet as she envi-
Ously watched one gay couple after an
other whirl past her. And Christy
caught her breath suddenly when an
opening in the crowd showed her Mr..
Ross Waiting with Belle. There be was,
transformed again in his aristOeratie self.
dancing with the naughty. indolent
grace that Christy knew so well, as
handsome and courteous as . prince.
The little Observers cheeks burned while
she thought Of her afternoon experience,
and how she had reekOned him -just
ike boy" And Belle, rhirling in
graceful circles. with bis arms around
her. how beautiful she looked.
Nobody noticed Christy. Two or
three dances passed People chartered
and laughed about her. prOmenaded and
whirlei past her. Sitting still was be-
coming a torture, and she was casting
longing glsnees at the stairway, when
the strains Of her favorite waltz foated
through the MONS In sheer despair of
enduring it. Ckristy sprang to h.r feet
, about to seek refuge up stairs, when
, some one put the curtain aside Turn
; ing. astonished, she beheld Mr.. Ros.
+ bending before her and Offering his arm.
/ Il have been trying to find you VIII
you do ne the honor Of Ealtzing with
me?"
Waltz with him Between fright and
r delight, Christy stood undecided, turn
. ing red and white alternately. Then.
{ forgetting everything but the music and
I the dangerously beautiful dark eyes
: looking into her own. she put her hand
a On his arm. and in moment they were
2 circllng down the room. Christy' cheeks
I burned like FIRE. Whenever she dared
: raise ber eyes from her partners broad
cloth sleeve, she became aware that shs
= was the focus Of all eyes. For while
she was dreadfully conscious Of this
; Then she forgot everything but motion
: and music and the handsome head ben
= 50 near her own When at last the,
paused. and Mr. Ross led her out TO th'
= mOODlit-pizzzz. the fright came bacl
= again. and she nerEOusly withdrew be
/ hand from his arm. and flushed scarle
/. when be asked her for the next dance
i DO you care for quadrilles ?"
q Poor Cbristy looked Eistfully tOEart
It the pzrIOr. and pulled blossom in piec
e Is.
d .-Oh, | do ike to dance-anything.
!; Pm very much obliged to you, bat
e can't dance again
The young sntocrst in society. who's
, invitation to dance had never befor
been refused BY any lady. looked a
,. Christy IL surprise
:. "YOu oughtD't 70 dance with me;
? an not grown up" said Christy. check
e ing q sob. They all want you 70 dane
n with them"
!" Mr.. Ross would have laughed If hi
e polIteness would have allowed He on
4 ly said. leaning closer 70 Christy IN ID
" moonlight. and speaking low
n But / Eant 70 dance with you