The Osceola times., 1876-03-25

Miss Janet ought To be grateful enough
to our climate to brighten up our little
tswn with some of the novelties she has
taken part in, before she left her home
in the capital of the United States"
Grateful does not express my feeling
for Asheville," she said warmly. "ln-
deed, no word can express it. When
one has well.nigh placed foot in the
grave, they are more than grateful TO the
place and climate which enables them to
take fresh hold on life. And those
glorious peaks" she continued as we
left the house, and for moment turned
our faces to the west, "can anything
surpass them? Give me western North
Carolina before any other country for
grandeur of scenery and healthfulness of
climate"
"And Ashcville," ] suggested, as we
sauntercd down Main street, on our way
to the Mountain Sanitarism, before
any other place, for the eyenness OF its
pavements and the cleanliness of its
streets"
"Don't be satirical," she said, "at
the expense of your native place." and
then we spoke again of the "Phantem
Party"
81 know you" / whispered, as num-
bef four was called out and stepped for
ward to have stockinged hand placed
in my arm and demure figure claim me
as her partner. Indeed, Miss Janet,
you need not pretend you are some one
else, for ! know you, no do be good and
talk TO me this first set. Remember that
after this set, / turn into lady and
cannot pay you any attehtion."
How provoking" she whispered
back, ~ was sure could deceive you.
But is Mr.. Wright here and have you
spotted him ?"
+" Yes; he is our pis-a-ris, and ] will
know him anywhere, fbf there is small
patch Oh the sheet he wears, just beneath
The lower part of his mask lean easily
push the mask aside, scc the patch and
10 identify him."
But after the quadrille was over, !
doubt If would have left Miss Janet's
side, had she not herself urged me on. A
touch here and there to my drapcry, a
pin-back, and there / stood asecond Miss
Janet Gordon, except for slight differ
cnce in height, scarcely perceptible un-
less we stood together.
at onca singled out Mr.. Wright. 1t
was leap-year and the ladies were taking
the gentlemen's places.
"Will you promenade z" asked.
lie started up quickly, and no natur-
ally that every motion would have be-
trayed him, had not before known him.
We went out on the piazza, but soon he
proposed VIC should stroll to the gate.
81 have something 10 say TO you, Miss
Janet" he continued, without an at
tempt to change his voice; IL know you
are Miss Janet though you are SO silent,
| wonder II you recognized me when
you asked me TO promenade. Did you?'
"Perhaps | did and perhaps did not, .
replied, in tones 40 like Miss Janets
that ! smiled behind my mask at my
own success.
BY this time we had reached the gate
and as we stood there Mr.. Wright gently
took the hand--stocking and all-that
rested on his arm. Of course, the first
thing he felt was Miss Janet's ring. /,
was a peculiar shape and he knew it il
a moment.
al am glad feel your ring" he said
still holding my hand, for | know nov
beyong any doubt that you are Mis-
Janet, and I have something to say t,
you and no one else"
And then he went on and made tn,
most desperate love to me. He hat
pushed back kis mask and the brigh
moonlight played full upon his face
For moment my heart smotc me that
should so deceive him, but the Who'll,
thing seemed 40 ridiculous, that hat
not the grace to give up my part in it
quite yet. At length, after much per
suasion on his part, and a great deal o
apparent reluctance on mine, he put my
hand TO his lips and then drew it ten
derly within his arm. | had not really
the heart to undeceive hiri Just then
laugh at his spoonincss, as | intended to
do, and tell him ] was even with him foI
the practical joke he had played ON me
An hour afterwards, when | recounted
this scene to Miss Janet, she laughed
merrly, a. | expected she would, but
she also blushed deeply, which l wa.
somewhat surprised at.
He came out in the lover-line more
strongly than had any idea off,
| said. "He was really quite passionate
and earnest"
"Do you think 80? Well, | admire
your response. Your conduct was a
model of maiden modesty," she an
swered laughing.
But the answer | gave him-you
don't approve of that, | suppose. Don't
be angry with me. / will undeceive him
straight away. am going to his board
ing-house this moment. Poor fellow /!
he will be reused from his brief dream of
bliss! expect he will be for knocking
me down."
"Lct him aloue, for tonight, then
tomorrow or-next day will do, replied
Miss Janet, casting down her eyes until
the long lashes rested on her very pink
cheek.
The next day called to see Wright.
He was not at home, and traced him to
the Mountain Sanitarium. When en-.
tered the parlor, there he and Miss
Janet sat upon the divan side by side,
and their blushes and conscious locks
betrayed TO me how the case stood.
+" You acted proxy 40 well for me, that
| determined to abide by your decision"
cried Miss Janet, rising and making me
playful courtesy. | rendered my con-
gratulatiops, of course, AS gracefully as
was possible under the circumstances.