The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-03-15

head and plucked two or three punches
He dropped these in her lap, and reached
for more, while she sat. in schoolgirl
fashion holding the gatherings and stealth
lily watching the gatherer under her wide
hat brim. When he at last looked dowl
at her. having filled the bottom OF the
boat with grapes, to ask il those wert
enough, she was betrayed into a laugh
ooh, a great many more than enough
for me. But you like grapes yourself
don't You ?"
"lndeed do, But pray don't do that.
tor Chrsty was eagerly piling fruit cus
ters into the wherry There isn't room
: Tor them and tor me too If You will let
me-" he added. with glance at Christy':
still flushing face, II will eat one bunch
here in the shadow before rowing down
the river"
There followed a time-Christy never
knew how long-ot positive enchantment
How it was that she forgot her awe of the
elegant MI. Ross. and began to talk to
her companion of her doings and feelings
as she did. will ever remain q mystery
And how thoroughly charming he was
How he listened and laughed At her school.
girl relations, and how handsome his dark
Spanish face looked under the scarlet
boating cap And how enthusiastic he
talked OF hundred things seen in travel.
while Christy listened as enthusiastically.
with wide eyes and lips ard fingers
stained with the purple Juice of the grapes
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, apologctically, rails
ing himself from his Longing position in
the wherry, II beg your pardon for talk
ing to YOU SO long, and without an intro
ductlon, too but | believe we know each
other; you have twice called me by name
so | know yon know and know YOU are
my neighbor, the youngest Miss Evalts.'
"Christahel Eyarts, she said, simply.
''l on must let me row. or rather tow
you home, to pay tor my impoliteness.
There is only room for one in the wherry
unfortunately. but il Won will let me fasten
this chain to the bow OF Your boat, it will
save You 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
astonshed at her position to say much.
| but Nh Ross was very merry-''just like
any boy as Christy soliloquized The
latter was still in state of wonder rs she
/ stood again on terra tirma. and watched
her cavalier tasien the boat and remove
the oars
II always do that myself, she said, TAX
/ ing pertorce the last cluster of wild grapes
which were imperativey thrust upon her
| There was bow and smile, and the scar
let Wherly shot out into the stream again.
Christy turned and went slowly to the
| house, Il flaming bunch Of cardinals in one
hand and the remnants OF the grapes in
the other.
Where have You been, Miss Christy ?''
was the cook 5 rather cross greeting Sip
per's been over an hour since. You'll have
to take pickings in the pantry
Supper was the last thing Jhristy
thought of. The reminder of the party
came back to her, and after hurried peep
at the decorated parIors, she ran up stairs
and began to dress. She was very happy
AS she ipd!retrinuslv onrnhhna tho @t~;~, : ~
Could it be possible that Mr.. Ross-that
Mr. Ross whom she had admired altar OFT
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 perhaps he would
| speak to her again.
Maria curled her hair, and pulled il cru
| ely, bat Christy was very serene. Her
white muslin dress and tiny slippers were
! quickly donned, few flowers pinned at
the throat and belt, and she was ready,
The parIors were already lighted, and the
full moon shone on the plaZZas and deWy
gardens. There was a subdued hustle IN
the kitchen. and Belle, a radiant vision OF
beauty, had already swept down stars. 1t
seemed as ii every one had come. lhe
first strains of music had already sounded.
| the dance was beginning, and no MI. Ross
vet. Christy was much in demand. SO
tired was she OF fastening sashes and trains
and bows, of running for pins and powder,
that when at last the dressing room was
! empty, she tn ank fully descended the stairs,
and timidly creeping in at the rear door
Of the parlor. Immediately shielded herself
| behind a lace curtain.
| They were Waiting. What would poor
Christy have given to have been "a grown
up Young LADY," Her little slippered feet
beat the carpet rs she envious!y 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 watzing with Belle. There he
was. transformed again to his aristocratic
sell, dancing with the naughty, lndolent
grace that Christy knew 50 well, as hand
some and courteous rs 4 prince. 1he llt-
tie observers cheeks burned while she
thought Of her afternoon experience and
how she had reci,oned him Just like a
boy" And Belle, whirling in graceful
circles, with his arms around her, how
beautiful she looked.
Nobody noticed Christy. Two on three
dances passed. People chattered and
laughed about her, promenaded and whirl-
ed past her. Sitting still was becoming a
torture, and she was casting longing
glances at the stairway, when the strains
of her favorite waltz tloated through the
rooms In sheer despair OF enduring
it, Christy sprang to her feet, about to
seek refuge up stairs, when some one put
the curtain aside. Turning, astonished,
she beheld Mr.. Ross bending before her
and Offering his arm
IL have been trying to find you. Will
You do me the honor OF Waltzlng with me-?
Waltz with him Between fright and
delight Christy stood undecided, turning
red and white alternately. Then, forget
ting everything but the music and the
dangerously beautiful dark eyes looking
into her own, she put her hand on his arm,
and in a moment they were circling down
the room. Christy's cheeks burned like
fire. Whenever she dared raise her eyes
from her partners broadcloth sleeve, she
, became aware that she was the focus OF al
eyes For while she was dreadfully con
scious of this. Then she forgot everything
| but motion and music and the handsome
, head bent SO near her own. When at las
they paused and Mr.. Ross led her out tC
the moon-lit piazza the fright came back
| again, and she nervously withdrew he1
i hand from his arm, and flushed scare
) when he asked her for the next dance.
'Do you care for quadrlles ?"
: Poor Christy looked wistfully towar'
the parlor and pulled q blossom in pieces
. .Oh, l do like to dance before any
| thing. I'm very much obliged to you
but can't dance again