The Portland daily press., 1877-03-03

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the shadows were growing chilly, when at
last he said, apologeticaly, raising himself
from his lounging position in the wherry, 81
beg your pardon for talking to you SO long,
and without an introduction, too; but be-
leve we know each other; you have twice
called me by nay name, so l know you know
and know you are my neighbor, the young
est 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 the wherry, unfortu-
nately, but if you will let me fasten this chain
to the bow of your boat, it will save you row.
ing 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 aston
ished at her position to say much, but Mr..
Ross was very merry-"just like any boy"
as Christy soliloquiZed. The latter was still
in state of wonder as she stood again on
terra firma, and watched her cavalier fasten
the boat and remove the oars.
81 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 remnants of the grapes in the other.
"Where have you been, Miss ChristyT'
was the cooks rather cross greeting. "Sup'
| per's been over an hour since. You'll have
to take pickings in the pantry"
Supper was the last thing Christy thought
| Of The remainder of the party came back
to her, and after hurried peep at the decor,
ated parlors, she ran up stairs and began to
dress, She was very happy as she industri-
laI 41a etosv, of hnr hon do
Could it be possible that Mr.. Ross-that
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 perhaps 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 the throa,
and belt, and she was ready. The parlor:
were already lighted, and the full moon
shone on the piazzas and dewy gardens
There was subdued hustle in the kitchen
| and Belle, radiant vision of beauty, hat
| already swept down stairs. 1t seemed as il
every one had come. The first strains oil
music had already sounded, the dance was
beginning, and no Mr.. Ross yet. Chrsty wa!
much in demand. So tired was she of fast
ening sashes and trains and bows, Of running
for pins and powder, that when at last the
dressing.room was empty, she thankfully de
scended the stairs, and timidly creeping in a
the rear door of the parlor, Immediately
shielded herself behind lace curtain.
| They were Waiting. What would poo
Christy have given to have been ga grown-ul
young ladyr' Her little slippered feet bea
the carpet as she enviously watched one gay
couple after another whirl past her. Ant
| Christy caught her breath suddenly when al
| opening in the crowd showed her Mr.. Ros
waltzing with Belle. There he was, trans
formed again to his aristocratic self, dancing
with the naughty, indolent grace that Christ
knew so well, as handsome and courteous a
a prince. The little observers checks burne
while she thought of her afternoon expert
ence and how she had reckoned him Gus
like boy" And Belle, whirling in graceful
circles, with his arm around her, how beautl
| full she looked.
Nobody noticed Christy. Two or thre
dances passed. People chartered an
laughed about her, promenaded and whirlet
past her. Sitting still was becoming tor
ture, and she was casting longing glances a
the stairway, when the strains of her favorit
waltz foated through the rooms. In shee
despair of enduring it, Christy sprang to he
feet, about to seek refuge up stairs, whel
some one put the curtain aside. Turning
astonished, she beheld Mr.. Ross bending be
fore her and offering his arm.
Il have been trying to find you. Will yo1
do me the honor of Waiting with me?"
Waltz with himl Between fright and dc
light Christy stood undecided, turning re-
and white alternately. Then, forgettin
everything but the music and the danger
ously beautiful dark eyes looking into he
own, she put her hand on his arm, and in
moment they were circling down the room
Christy's cheeks burned like fire. Wheneve
she dared raise her eyes from her partner
broadcloth sleeve, she became aware that sh
was the focus Of all eyes. For while sh
was dreadfully conscious of this. Then sh
forgot everything but motion and music an,
the handsome head bent so near her own
When at last they paused and Mr.. Ross le
her out to the moon-lt piazza the frigh
came back again, and she nervously with
drew her hand from his arm, and flushe
scarlet when he asked her for the mex
| dance.
"Do you care for quadries ?"
Poor Christy looked wistfully toward tn
parlor and pulled blossom in pieces.
"Oh, I do like to dance-before anything
I-Pm very much obliged to you, but cam
dance again."
/ The young autocrat in society, whose invi
tation to dance had never before been re
fused by any lady, looked at Christy in sui
prise.
''You oughtn't TO dance with me; I'm no
grown ups" said Christy, checking sol
"They all want you to dance with them"
Mr.. Ross would have laughed if his polite
ness would have allowed. He only sale
leaning closer to Christy in the moonligh
and speaking low
"But want to dance with YOU"
And Christy of course, yielded. What
happy evening that was that followed! /
people looked amazed at Mr.. Ross dancin,
with school girl, it was no matter. HI
wanted to dance with her, and the though
made her eyes shine and her cheeks glow, a
she moved through the quadrille with thu
prettiest grace in the world. A waltz fo
lowed, then polka, then another quadrille
and still she monopolized the lion of the eve
ming, apparently to the lions satisfaction.
"And now," he said, as they returned tt
the piazza, knitting his brows over his dane
card-"now 1 must 60 and dance with Mis-
| Honoria Chaplain. But shall come back tt
I you. You will give ME the rest of the dance
after supper, won't you?"
ooh, haven't you any names on you
card ?'
"Not one. But perhaps you would like t
dance with some one else?"
sob, no; nobody wants to dance will
me-"
"Then you will wait for me here till after
this dance?" he said hurriedly, as the music
sounded.
Christy felt as if she were in dream a
she sat alone, the moonlight falling arount
her, the music drifting out to her, waiting fo
Mr.. Ross to come back. She had rud,
awakening therefrom. A hand grasped he
shoulder SO harshly that she almost cried out
and Bellies voice said, in fierce Whisper:
$50 straight up stairs to bed miss; do yol
hear me? Go this Instant" and each paus
was emphasized with shake.
ooh, Belle
"Hush! not word aloud. You've beer
making yourself ridiculous, and mamma ant
l are ashamed OF you. Go straight rount
the piazza and up stairs"
Christy never thought of disobeying. He
rose-colored visions all floated away, and she
| went slowly around the house and up the
back way to her room. There she sat down
| in the moonlight with wide eyes and burning
| cheeks. Oh, what had she done? An(
finally all her wondering resolved itself IN q
bitter burst of crying.
When Belle came up stairs, after the last
guest had gone, and looked in her sister,
room, Christy was lying across the foot O.
the bed, asleep, her pretty dress all crumplet
and her cheeks stained with tears. So hel
i Indignation did not break unon Christv,s