The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1878-06-27
CHECK BEFORE NATE.

There was the invitation, and I knew
Winnie must have hand in my getting
it, but all the same I was miserable,
detected, jealous, and-twenty-One. At
last, after declaring I would not go a
dozen times, L vowed would.
''I'U get an answer, yes OrnO, 1 said.
"a girl has no business to trife like
this with mans feelings"
Ilooked-accidentally, Of cOurse-in
the glass as 1 said this, and this is what
I saw-a fair, boyish face, with a com
plexion like a girls, and every scrap Of
fluff scraped off to make it grow more
strongly.
Twas annoyed with my face, my ap-
pearance, my dress, with everything,
although was healthy, straight, and
as weH-drcssed as a young fellow could
be.
1t was 10 o'clock then, and had been
two hours dressing. I Will not relate
how many times I had parted and re-
parted my hair, nor how exercised in
my mind 1 had been as TO whether !
should wear the lavender trousers or
the pale brown, and whether the plain
hlue or the blue-and-white tie suited
me the better. Suffice it that there I
was in the plain blue tie, black coat,
pale-buff drill vest, and those beauti-
fullv-cut, soft, neutral brown trousers.
gracefully falling over patent leather
boots, while a more glossy new nat than
the one 1 took out Of the box was never
seen.
There was not Il wrinkle in my pale
straw-colored kid gloves when I start
ed, and as I got out into the bright July
sunshine, I could not help smiling after
all with self-satisfactiOn.
I was by no means the earliest arrival
at The Elms. and as I reached the Ea5s
| I could see the waggonnettes waiting,
and the ladies' dresses through the trees
as the merry party strOlled about the
lawn, waiting for the hour to start
eleven precisely.
"How do, Jacksou?" said Winnie's
father, brusquely, as he gave my straw
kidded hand a squeeze, and saw him
run his eye supercihOusly over my cos
tune. with the consequence that a hot
flush ran up to the roots Of my hair, and
I felt quite cross as 1 walked across the
| lawn TO where Winnie Morris was
standing amid a group Of friends.
81 want to have five minutes talk
with you, Miss Morris, " SAID grayely-
''WiH you let me speak to you when we
are at the grover"
Certainly, Ih. jackson" she said,
half laughing at my serious aspect; and
then Twas alone and very uncOmfOrta-
bic; for nobody seemed to make any ad-
vances to me as I stalked sOlemnly
about.
There's a rosebud for you Fred,
cried a merry voice, and Winnie jerked
one to me out of a basket.
Ifelt better then, till I saw that she
distributed one to every gentleman IN
the party, when I felt worse.
At last we were off, and I sat sulkily
at the end Of one Of che waggonettes;
for old Morris had frustrated all my
! plans to get near Winnie on the journey
down to the grove, where the picnic
was to be in honor Of Winnie's eight
eenth birthday.
We reached the selected place, and at
last I contrived that Winnie and
should be alone in one Of the glades
where in impassiOned tones I spoke
of my love, hegging for reply.
REALLY, Fred, ," cried Winnie at last
/ drawing away her hand, II don't think
you ought to ask for an answer now. ]
have always liked you"
But I ask for your love-" I said
glOomily.
"Why, we are both very Young yet
Fred, and Come, we must get back
to our friends"
"You reject me then?"
I'm afraid you are hungry. young
man" said voice that came upon me
like d thunderclap, cor you would no
talk in that Byronic strain. L did NO
come to listen 10 you, but if you young
people choose to talk stuff in public
places you must take the cOnse
quences."
Igazed at the buriy figure and straw
G hat before me, feeling endless humilia
tions.
''PapaI'' exclaimed Winnie; blushing
'Not cross, my dear. You've be
haved very sensibly. Now, young
man, you mean marriage, I suppose2'