Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-03-15


for Christy was eagerly piling fruit clus-
ters into the wherry. There isn't room
for them and Tor me too II YOU will let me,
he added, with a glance at Chtisty's still
flushing iace,' Il will eat one bunch here
in the shadow before rowing down the
river
There followed a time-Christy never
knew how long-of positive enchantment.
How il 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 mystery. And
how thoroughly charming he was. How
he listened and laughed at her schoolgirl
relations, aud how handsome his dark
Spanish face looked under the scarlet boat
ing cap, And how enthusiastically he
talked Of a hundred things seen in travel
while |hristy listened as enthusiastically.
with wide open eyes and lips. and fingers
stained with the purple juice OF the Crap
es,
Mr.. Ross must have forgotten about
rowing down the river The sun was very
low aud the shadows were growing chilly,
when at last he said, apologetically. rails
ing himself from his louuging position in
the wherry. i beg your pardon for talk
ing 10 you so long, and without au intro
duction, too. but believe we know each
other; you have twice called ne by my
name, so know you know and know
you are my neishbor, the youngest Miss
Evarts.'
'Christabls Fvarts.' she said simply.
y ou must let me row. or rather tow
YOU home, TO pay for my impoliteness.
There Is only room for one in the wherry,
unfortunately, but IL you will let me fasten
this chain to the bow OF your boat, it will
save Won rowing nm the 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 ut her position TO say much. but
Mr.. Ross was very merry-'ju,t like any
boy, as Christy soiloquized. The latter
was still IN state OF wonder a. she stood
again on, terra firma, and watched her
cavalier ias.en the boat and remove the
oars.
i always do that myself she said, tax
lug pertorce the last clusters OF Wild Crap
r. which were imperatively thrust upon
her. There was a bow and smile, aud the
scarlet wherry shot out into TIE stream
again. Christy turned and went slowly up
to the hou-e, a flaming bunch Of cardinals
in one hand aud the remnants Of the crap
Is ia the other.
w here have you been. Miss Christy?'
-
'Supper's been over an hour since. lou'll
have 10 take picAings IN tue pantry
supper was tie last thing thi>ty thought
of. The rema nder OF the party came back
To her and after hurried peep al the dec
Grated parlors, she ran up stairs and be
gan 10 dress. She was very happy As she
industriously scrubbed the stAlus OF her
hands.
Could II b. possible that Mr.. Ross-that
Mr. Ross whom she had admired afar of
a. She might have done 4 young god-had
talked 10 her al hour and rowtl her home {:
And he was coming to the party tonight.
ChrisSy shrewdly guessed that the party
was given Tor him, and perhaps he would
speak TO her again.
Maria curled her hair pulled it cruelty.
but Christy was very sereue. Her white
muslin dress and tiny slippers were quick
ly donued. 4 few flowers pinned at the
throat and belt, and she WAS ready. The
pAr..s wcie G.ceady lighted aud The fall
moon shone on the piazA,~ aud drwy gur-
deus. There was "A suDluel hustle ia the
kitchen, aud Belle. a radiant vision Of
beauty. had already swept down stairs. II
seemed a. If every one had come. The first
strains Of music had already sounded. the
dance va, beginning, aud no Mr.. Ross yet.
thrisfy was much 10 demand 50 tired
was she OF fastening ,ashes and trains and
boHs. 1t running tor pins ana powder,
that when al last the dressing room Wa
empty. she thankfully descended the stairs
and timilly creeping in at the rear door Of
the parlor, imme ediately shielded herself
behind lace curtain.
They were waltzing. What would poor
Chri.ty have given 10 have been "A grown
up young lady" Her little slipperei feet
beat the carpet as she euviou>ly watched
one gay couple after another whirl past
her. And Christy caught her breath SUD
denly when an opening in the crowd show
ed her Mr.. Ross Waiting with Belle.
There he was. transformed again 10 his
arisIocratic self. dancing with the naughty
indolent grace that Christy knew so we'll
a hnad>ome aud courteous IS prince.
The little observers cheek burned while
she thought OF her afternoon experience
aud how -he had reCkoned him Just like a
boy And Belle whirlinS in graceful
circles. with his arm around her. how
beautiful she looked.
Nobody noticed Chii>ty. Two or three
dances passed. People chattered aud
laughed about her. promenaded and whrl-
ed past her. Sitting still was becoming
4 torture aud She was casting longing
glances at the stairway. when the strains
OF her fayorite waltz fioated through the
rooms. In sheer despair OF enduring it,
I Christy sprang to her feet, about 10 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 ind you! VIII you
do me the honor OF Waiting with meE
Waltz with him Between fright and de-
l;,.k N npAaciHal r.I
and " hite alternately. Then, forgetting
everything but the music and the danger
ously beautiful dark eyes looking into her
own. she put her hand on his arm. and in
moment they were circling down the
room. Christy's cheeks burned like fire.
Whenever she dared raise her eyes from
her partners lTUAGUiOtn sleeve. she be-
came aware that she was the focus OF all
eyes. For while she was dreadtully con-
scious of this. Then she forgot everything
but motion aud music and the handsome
head bent so near her own. When at last
they paused and Mr.. Ross led her out to
the moOn-lit piazza the fright came back
again, aud she nervously withdrew her
hand from his arm, and flushed scarlet
when he asked her for the next dance.
DO you care for quadrilles|
Poor Christy looked wistfhly toward
Oh, l do like to dance-before anything
lin very much obliged to you, but l
can't dance again
The young autocrat in society. whose in
vtation to dance had never before been re-
fused by any lady. looked at Christy in sur
prise.
You oughtn't to dance with me I'm not
grown up said Christy, checking sob.
They all want you to dance with them
Mr.. Ross would have laughed if his po-
liteness would have allowed. He only said,
leaning closer to Christy in the moonlight
and speaking low
But | want to dance with you.
And Christy of course. yielded. What a
happy evening that was that follOwedi If
people looked amazed at Mr.. Ross dancing
with school girl. il was no matter. He
wanted to dance with her, and the thought
made her eyes shine and her cheeks glow,
a. she moved through the quadrilled with
the prettiest grace IN the world. A waltz
followed, then polka, then another qua
drille, and still she monopolized the lion OF
the evening. apparently to the lions salts
faction.
And now' he said, as they returned TO