The Saline County journal., 1878-10-10

1Oltulate OCcufIenCe, anu UIyIuS W oS-
count for it. Had she known him before?
Was she in love with him3 The idea first
made Ee turn hot. then cold. But no!
fancy could make these two images. Of
Eleanor Hartley and Of our simple little
newcomer, stand side by side. Looked at
from another point OF view. the thing was
equally absurd. A score OF men admired
Eleanor Hartley-1ne, stalwart fellows,
the nick Of our community. for none other
would have ventured to LIT their eyes so
hi1h.men broad -chested and deep
voiced, and well versed in every kind Of
world lore. Was 1t not preposterous to
imagine that this pulling boy could be her
choice? How then was to explain her
displeasure? did explain It. II would
be hard for yOuto guess how. But at cef-
tain times, you know, our thoughts are
peculiarly obedient to impulses communi-
Gated to them by will with which our de-
sires have tampered." I said to myself
that Eleanor Hartley was disappointed In
me. Yes, this was the meaning Of it all.
That should have joined in infiicting an
noyance on helpless fellow creature vex-
ed her. And really when looked back
calmly, the whole thing began to wear an
ugly aspect Well, 1t was annoying. But
time plays havoc with impressions. Flea
nor would be sorry, doubtless, for her
hastineee. could easily put the matter
In different Light. All would be well.
Meanwhile l returned to my own quar-
ters, where, as presently found, events
Of an exciting character were under dis
cussion. Miss Hartley, was told, had
come to pay visit to her married sister,
who lived in our settlement. As we were
not cheered by the presence Of any un-
married ladies', this was Of course an Oc-
currence Of the first magnitude. But
further, large dinner was to be given at
our club, to which all the ladies' and our
new conner were invited. He had been
persuaded that the dinner had been given
In his honor, and was to be guided into
making a speech, from which much fun
was expected. threw cold water on this
scheme. was afraid, you see, that Miss
Hartley would see In 1t another malicious
trick and be further incensed against me.
But once ball Of such sort Is set rolling.
1t requires q hand Of peculiar force to
stop it Mine was not able for the feat.
and my friends arranged their plan OF
action without me. After all, l think, /
was not sorry that he should make fool
of himself publicly before Miss Eleanor.
1t would be sure to destroy any senti-
mental liking she might have had for him,
SO I held my peace, and the eventful day
came on.
How nervous I was that evening. / re-
member was obliged to call In the assis-
tance Of one Of my friends to adjust my
necktie. and he was Obliging enough to
tell me that locked as yellow as q
guinea. A comfortable assurance, truly,
when I had wished to look my very best,
for had not seen Miss Hartley since my
unlucky story, and wanted to make my
peace with her. But when. with an apOl-
ogy on my lips. I drew near the sofa
where she was sitting, found, to my In
finite relief, that nOapOlOgy was necessary.
She was as friendly In her manner as
ever. She was exQuisitely dressed that
evening, in-well, I can't exactly say
What-sOme dead white material, that fell
In delicious folds about her stately figure.
That girl could always dress herself to
perfection. She looked superb. Beyond
doubt she was the queen OF our party;
certainly we all felt as proud OF her as II
each one Of us had been her father or
brother She did not speak to our new
conner, and this relieved me. But at the
dinner table felt little more uneasy.
She and he sat In opposite corners Mt the
table. It seemed to me that she was
quietly watching him, from time to time,
and at srch moments there was in her
face wonderful light Of happiness and
pride. understood 1t all presently.
The long dinner passed; dessert was on
the table; the usual tOasts had been
given and responded to. Then my friend
rose, and in a few serious words which,
as some Of US knew. veiied real irony,
proposed the health Of the youngest man
at the table, our distinguished guest,
whose arrival had been SO long anticipa-
ted and so eagerly hailed.
All drank the toast, and there followed
an awful pause. Every eye, Eleanor
Hartley's among the number, was fixed
on our new conner. He rose to his feet,
and ventured to glance at her. All was
explained.
Oh, woman, what a strange being you
are! Soft aud yet triumphant was the
beautiful face OF our Queen. She was
bending little forward; her eyes giisten-
ed; you would have said that she was
listening to some exquisite melody.
About him, too, there was change. I
was excited, and Of course what l saw
and heard was colored by my mood, but
could have declared that the young man Q
cr;hah,,, dlpnity had creDt Into his
gestures. He stOe,i upriRht. his voice
.nSaIferinp. he aid rot shIink from. he
rather courted the multitude Of plances
that were bent ON him. As for his speech
cir, have Knocked about pretty much.
as YOU know, and now and then at dinners
and elsewhere I have run against disttn-
guished men. but have never heard .
cv,o.>ch IN nafch fhiS 0na In SnhatRnca
n vas a review OF the time he had spent
IN Tho settlement To hear him one might
hsvs helieved that he had seen throueh
o,,r practical icets from the frst. and
Wh,,s seeming 10 he their victim had
h..an Quietly smnsin0 himself at our ex.
nsosa Tie m.nner and delicafe irpnv.
o. Kthu. Iuutt,O, W IcPtOuuCcs ouk Va SuSA