Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-11-17

Wnerry, the oars lying lenRJnWlBe, ana |
the occupant standing within it, cap in
hand Christy did not need to glance |
twice at the close.cut jetty hair, the
bearded lips, the face oliVe-tlnted by the
sun, for surely the dark eyes looking
down at her could belong to no other
than the hero of her girlish dreams
Bellies beau. Nor could the "fated
fairy prince" who comes sooner or later
into the life of most girls, have come in
more attractive guise than in the person
of the young arlstocrat who stood await
ing Christys reply, and regarding her
with mingled amusement and admiration.
Excuse me for startling you. am
certain you cannot get the grapes, and,
being head and shoulders taller than
you, | am equally certain than l can" he
said, with smile.
Oh, thank you. II do want them.
| like grapes"
'Most people do" was the laughing
response, as he reached high over Chris
ty's head and plucked two or three heavy
punches. He dropped these in her lap,
and reached for more, while she sat, in
schoolgirl fashion, holding the gather
ings and stealthily watching the gatherer
from under her wide hat-brim. When
he at last looked down at her, having
filled the bottom of the boat with grapes,
to ask If those were enough, she was be-
trayed into laugh.
"Oh, great many more than enough
for me. But you like grapes yourself,
don't your"
"Indeed I do. But pray don't do
that" for Christy was eagerly piling
fruit clusters into the wherry. There
isn't room for them and for me, too. If
you will let me-" he added, with glance
at Christy's still flushed face, 81 will eat
one bunch here in the shadow before
rowing down the river"
There followed time-Christy never
knew how long-of positive enchant
ment. How it was that she forgot her
awe of the elegant Mr.. Ross, and began
to talk to her companion of her doings
and feelings as she did, will ever remain
n mystery. And how thoroughly charm
ing he was How he listened and laughed
at her schoolgirl relations, and how
handsome his dark Spanish face looked
under the scarlet boating-cap And how
enthusiastically he talked of hundred
things seen in travel, while Christy list
ened as enthusiastically, with wide eyes
and lips, and fingers stained with the
purple juice of the grapesl
Mr.. Ross must have forgotten about
rowing down the river. The sun was
very low and the shadows were growing
chilly, when at last he said, apologetic-
ally, raising himself from his lounging
position in the wherry: ~ beg your
pardon for talking to you so long, and
without an introduction, too; but be-
lieve we know each other. You have
twice called me by name, so know you
know me; and / know you are my neigh
Dor, the youngest Miss Evarts."
"Christabel Evarts," she said, simply.
You must let me row, or rather tow,
you home, to pay for my impoliteness.
There is only room for one in whcrry,
unfortunately, but if you will let me
fasten this chain to the bow of your boat
it will save your rowing up stream"
The light of the sunset was on the
river, and they seemed to be going
straight into the crimson glory. Christy
was too much astonished at her position
to say much, but Mr.. Ross was very
merry" just like any boy" as Christy
soliloguized. The latter was still in a
state of wonder as she stood again on
terra .frma, and watched her cavalier
fasten the boat and remove the oars.
al always do that myself" she said,
taking perforce the last clusters of wild
grapes, which were imperatively thrust
upon her. There was bow and smile,
and the scarlet wherry shot out into the
stream again. Christy turned and went
slowly up to the house, a flaming bunch
of cardinals in one hand and the rem
nants of the grapes in the other.
"Where have you been, Miss Christy?"
was the cooks rather cross greeting.
"Supper's over an hour since. You'll
have to take pickings in the pantry"
Supper was the last thing Christy
thought Of The remembrance of the
party came back to her, and after a hur-
ried peep at the decorated parlors she
ran upstairs to begin to dress. She was
very happy as she industriously scrubbed
the stains off her hands. Could it be
possible that Mr. Ross-the Mr.. Ross
whom she had admired afar off as she
might have done young god-had
talked to her an hour and rowed her
home? And he was coming to the party
tonight (Christy shrewdly guessed that
the party was given for him), and per-
haps he would speak to her again.
Maria curled her hair, and pulled it
cruelty, but Christy was very serene.
Her white muslin dress and tiny slippers
were quickly donned, few flowers
pinned at throat and belt, and she was
ready. The parlors were already lighted,
and the full moon shone on the piazzas
and dewy gardens. There was sub
dued hustle in the kitchen, and Belle, a
radiant vision of beauty, had already
swept downstairs. The guests began to
arrive. Christy, stationed in the upper
hall, watched as one after another entered
and came upstairs. 1t seemed as if
everyone had come. The first strains of
music had already sounded, the dance
was 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 dressing-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.
They were waltzing. What would
poor Christy have given to have been "a
grown-up young LADY," Her little slip.
| pClCh DOaI 10 ShC Cu-
viously watched one gay couple after
another whirl past her. And Christy
caught her breath suddenly when an
opening in the crowd showed her Mr..
Ross waltzingwith Belle. There he was,
transformed again to his aristocratic
self, dancing with the naughty, indolent
grace that Christy knew SO well, as hand
some and courteous as a prince. The
little observers cheeks burned while she
thought of her afternoons experience,
and how she had reckoned him "just
like a boy" And Belle, whirling in
graceful circles, with his arm about her,
how beautiful she looked
Nobody noticed Christy. Two or three
dances passed. People chartered and
laughed about her, promenaded and
whirled past her. Sitting still was be-
coming torture, and she was casting
longing glances at the stairway, when