Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1878-07-05

ance that "she would get even with Miss
Jessie before the day was out"
1T amt that they'll be after missin the
pie" grumbled Bridget, as her mistress
returned to her guests, "for every moth
er son OF 'em has been aiten like hay-
thens; burthe poor mistriss was Jest ready
to dhrop Wld mortyication. shure."
Upon the previous day there had been
q Ilght LilI OF snow, and the young peo-
| pie OF Frincevllle were to improve it in
the evening by sleighride to a neigh
boring village, where they intended to
b. We dance and supper As soon as
the guests were gone, Mrs. Austin search
ed her card-basket and found a note of
regret which Jessie Thornton had sent
her during the first days of their acouain-
tance. Altering the date and changing
the envelope she dispatched it to Doctor
/ Allen, and went in TO call upon the
young lady and have a laugh over the
rag PIE, and to give a description of its
reception and Bridgets indignation. She
found Jessie dressed for the sleiqhiug
party, and as the hour was late. growing
impatient.
Il fear the doctor has had a sudden
call, and you win be cheated out of your
ride after all, Jessie" she said.
"He certainly would have sent me
word" pouted the young lady, going to
the window and looking out, as a num-
Der of sleighs few by. "Gracious that
was Doctor Aliens team, she continued.
81 cannot be mistaken in the splendid
greys, and he had some lady by his side"
"Very likely; his sleigh was standing
before Mr.. Clark's door not ten minutes
ago." returned Mrs. Austin, "and he is
undoubtedly giving Susie Clark a ride.
A very singular proceeding, it strikes me,
after engaging you to go to Charleston
with him"
Jessie was a spirited little body, and
her eyes flashed like diamonds at the
bare thought Of such treatment, and Mrs.
Austin resumed: Let me advise YOU to
take this opportunity that YOU don't
choose to sit and NOPE at home waiting
his pleasure while ne is playing the GAL
LIANT to somebody else. As my husband
and I intend to drive out and take sup
per, suppose you 90 with us?T
HIf he is not here in ten minutes to
make proper explanation, I certainly
viii. Only see how late it is; the whole
company have gone long ago, and l am
positively angry"
Mrs. Austin ran home to get ready, and
when, little later, she and her husband
called at the door Of the Thornton man
sion, Miss Jessie was found fully equip
ped, and in a moment more they were
dashing along With that young lady snug
ly tucked under the robes.
When they reached the country tavern
where the party was being held, they
found the company dancing, and Doctor
Alien leading set with Susie Clark but
he looked surprised when he saw Jessie
enter with the Austins.
How gay and spirited did that young
lady seem all the evening? What love
" color was in her cheeks, and what
brilliancy in her splendid black eyes +?
How queeniy she carried her head, and
how haughtily she refused to dance with
Doctor Allen when be summoned cour-
age to ask her? all of which afforded
great amusement to Mrs. Austin.
"What spirits Jessie Thornton is in to-
night% she said to the doctor, as they
were dancing vis-G-ris with her husband
and Jessie.
eyes, she appears very gay" was the
laconic reply.
'I never saw her look so handsome"
continued the lady.
The physician bowed acquiescence and
tried to look the other way, but as if i'm
PEELED by magnetic influence, his eyes
came back to look upon the beautiful face
opposite him.
"All this fine show of spirits, doctor"
whispered Mrs. Austin, sis born of any
thing but happiness"
In an instant he was all attention,
and eagerly asked her reason for such a
conclusion. ~
Had you not engaged the young lady
for tonight p .-....-.
Certainly; but received a very curt
note, at the last moment, containing her
regards, and as Will Bigelow had two
ladies engaged, begged one, and Miss
Clark fell to my lot. I was deeply NOR
titled at Miss Thornton's strange recall
of her promise, and intended to convince
her that there were other fish in the
sea-"
$50 gentlemen do strange things out
of pique, sometimes, as well as ladies %
laughed Mrs. Austin; "but there must be
some misunderstanding. [ know Jessie |
waited until the very last moment, eX-
pecting you to call for her. L happened
to be in at their house when you drove
Dd5L Nlbll Cu6lG NIdIhs anu OCooAC W 40
standing at the window, watching for
you, doctor"
'Is it possible pr he exclaimed, flushing |
crimson.
Just then the set broke up, and he |
found no opportunity of continuing the
conversation. But his efforts to secure |
Jessie in the next dance was fine piece
of diplomacy, as that young lady had
eyes and ears for everybody but her lov- |
er and so managed (fguratiyely speak |
ing) to keep him at distance, yet fate
gave him the longed-for opportunity. By |
chance he met Jessie in the hall leading
to the deserted refreshment room, and |
seizing her hand, he begged moments
audience, and as she saw no way OF |
avoiding it, she permitted herself to be |
led into an adjoining room.
"Miss Thornton" he asked, "did you |
not this evening, and at the last moment, |
send me note declining to accompany |
me here"
''No, sir, I did not" she replied, coldly, |
and with a proud, uplifting of her head. |
Nevertheless, received one in your |
handwriting, or l am very much mistak- |
en-" he returned, producing the docu-
ment, and Jessie read: Miss Jessie |
IO4AOOA . COul JllulOilIS anu I6ST6Io IO1 |
eve, April 1st."
"You acknowledge your writing, of |
course, and now know the reason did |
not call for you," he said.
Yes, l wrote it but it was never in |
tended for you. See, the date has been |
changed. 1t came from Mrs. Austin-is |
one sent her long ago, when she gave |
the first party after her settling in Prince
Vile"
"AhI see the force of the joke, and |
that you and 1, my dear girl, are the VIC
tins of gigantic sell. In fact, think
you have had your pie returned with the
most usurious interest,"" and the doctor
laughed heartily.
His mirth was so catching that Jessie |
was forced to join, and lover-ike, they |
prolonged their tete-d-tete until recalled TO |
themselves by the breaking up OF the
company, and at that moment note was |
handed the doctor. 1t ran thus:
I'VE have r1n off with Susie Clark, and |
shall expect you to bring Jessie Thorn
ton home" and was signed by their mu-
tual friend, Mrs Austin.
"That woman has excellent taste" said |
the doctor, "for she knows when she has |
carried a joke far enough" and he lifted |
Jessie into his sleigh and tucked the soft |
robes about her.
The homeward ride was full compen- |
sation, as the lovers acknowledged. Jes-
sic was in repentant mood, after her |
proud and cold resentment, and the doc |
tor tender and attentive, to make up for |
a