The Portland daily press., 1877-03-03

One thing was certain-Belle was unusu-
ally cross; so cross that Christy was fain to
do her studies out of doors or locked in her
own room. A little summer-house covered
wi h vines was her faVorite retreat, and thith-
er she repaired every afternoon upon return
ing from school. She had no more river ex-
petitions, for, poor child, she was afraid OF
meeting the proprietor of the scarlet wherry.
But perhaps the secret of her liking the sum-
mer-house was because she could see the
aforesaid wherry pass and repass, and watch
the rover from behind the sheltering vines.
Two weeks passed. Then crisis came.
One Indian summer afternoon, when Belle
and her mother were out calling, Christy
was out having a romp with the dog on the
side piazza. In the midst of this romp she
was Mortified to perceive Mr.. Ross entering
the street gate. Her first impulse was to run
away but knowing he had seen her, there
was nothing for il but to meet him with fam
ing cheeks and disordered attire. The dark
eyes that had haunted her waking and Sleep
ing dreams so long were lit by merry smile.
"Why, Miss Christy, If 1 had not Just
shaken hands with you I should have suppos-
ed you myth" he said, with one of his
bright laughs. "What are you going to say
to me in excuse for running away fortnight
ago, and keeping away ever since? Do you
know you robbed me CT five waltzes2'
'T-I-Belle-that is, mammal mean
couldn't stay. And you danced the waltzes,
you know"
"Indeed didn't. l searched for you.
Not finding you l sat still the rest OF the
evening. Then the next night came to let
you apologize, and you wouldn't come down
to see me. 1 tried to see you on the street,
and you always vanished. Now what have l
done?" asked the pet ofsociety, looking sim
cerely puzzled.
ooh, did you really not dance?" asked the
delighted Christy.
ooh, IL thought-they said"
"Who said ?" the young man asked, sur
prised at the simmer of tears in Christy's
eyes:
Mr.. Ross, not knowing what to say after
this climax, sat silent. Christy desperately
attempted to explain herself.
why, [ thought-people thought-you
were just dancing with me for fun, and
laughed at me because didn't know how tc
act, and" Here Christy broke down and
burst into tears.
For moment Mr., Ross looked confound-
ed, then exclaimed:
SThought I was laughing at you
Why"
81 know Pm not grown up, and oughtn't
to have gone to a grown-up party. l had
never been to one before, sobbed Christy pitt
fully:
"Why. my poor little girl, I never thought
Of laughing at you. You danced like fairy
Who could have told you such thing?" hi
exclaimed, distressed.
No answer. All the sorrow of the pas
weeks seemed to be crowded into the mo
ment, and Christy cried as if her heart would
break.
cpl never go to dance again till ] am a
young woman.'
Probably if she had been young lady, Mr.
Ross would not have acted just as he did
In moment he had taken her hand, drawn
her down on the settee by his side and was
vainly conjuring her not to cry.
sit is too hard of you," he pleaded. 60
have sta:d two weeks for no other reason in
| the world but to see my little river gypsy
| again, and now she wont look at me-"
She did look at him with wide eyes o
wonder.
| sop
"Why do you say that?"
| you're laughing at me again, as if didn'
| know"
"Well9" was the patient query.
Poor Chrlsty was crimson to the waves o
| hair on her forehead. but she finished brave
/ ly from behind her screen of curlS-
Gas i'll didn't know that you are Belle:
beau"
There was pause. If Christy had dared
to look up at the young mans face, she woul'
have seen first bewilderment, then amuse
| meut, then another expression harder to de
| fine, as he said, rather mischievously.
eyes, Bellies beau-Christsbel beauw
Christy uttered little cry. and hid he
| face. Mr.. Ross began to think he should neve
see the face again, it was so persistently con
| cealed.
"Won't you look at me! Christy, won
you tell me i'll offended you?"
Silence, till he was fain to ask again.
wont you tell me whether you care 70
me?'
ooh, twas the almost inaudible answer
| you know do.''
81 don't know how know. 1 can't Sc
| anything but your curls, and l want to SCI
your eyes. Christy, your mother is comm
| in at the front gate"
The last sentence was effectual. Christ
sprang TO her feet with the idea of escaping
but found herself detained.
"She is not here yet. Stop just one me
ment and tell me if I may ask your mother
she will let you marry me some day. Christy
| may Ir'
And Christy, blushing like rose, answer
| ed low:
"Yes-some day-when I am a youn!
| lady?"