Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-04-17


All preliminaries being through
the ball proper began After the Fl 81
waltz, Charles Clifton found his wa,
to Miss Clara and requested thu
pleasure of the next waltz with her
Bnt Philip had been ahead OF him,
and he was obliged await the next
Just as. he turned away 10 secure an.
other partner his friend came out
He paused moment to exchange a
few words then turned away, while
his more successful friend without
any manifest citation led away the
queen of the the evening.
Clifton found partner in a rest
less young girl, and more to accomo-
date her feet than his own pleasure
led her on to the floor. But no sooner
bad he conducted her to a seat, than
he withdrew to take Miss Morrow
from his friends charge.
He noticed that his friend returned
to Miss Macon, and took his place
by her side, and also that they did
not mingle with the walters. Just
then Miss Archer passed bin upon
the arm Of a young cadet, fresh from
West Point, and that moment be
wished he was in the young fellows
place He wished dozen times the
music would stop before it did, and
no sooner did it stop than willingly
yielding Miss Morrow to one who
was Immediately on the spot to claim
her, he sought Miss Archer. Fortu.
nately she was not engaged, and he
wasted no time in securing her for
the dance which was to follow.
He danced several times with Miss
Lucy; and as he led her through the
'mszes OF the waltz supported her
gently but firmly with his arm, while
one OF her hands rested upon bis
shoulder so assuringly and enticingly,
that he almost ventured to kiss it, he
thought what fool be had been not
to see before what a package OF
beauty and loneliness he held in his
arms. That moment he gave up Miss
Morrow wholly, entlrely,to his friend,
or whoever wanted her.
Well, the ball at last was over. and
the splendid mansion was soon de.
serted and darkened but down
Graham avenue faint ray Of light
wrinkles through the blinds of the
parlor in Lucy Archer's home aud
looking through where the ray comes
forth, we see Lucy on the sofa aud
that audacious Charles close by her
side, holding one of her hands in his
Now, want to say word here to
those who may be unduly worried
with thoughts that Charlie is falling
in love too fast, and endeavoring to
take Luoy's heart by storm. They
were not strangers at all. Thew had
been children together at the same
school, just as Laura Macon, Clara
Morrow and Philip Graves, along
with all the other young folks of the
village, had also been; and since that
time had hot long gone by, they could
not, of course, feel strange. And
Charlie used TO think Lucy dear
little creature then; and, although
since then, he had half fallen in love
with Clara Morrow, everything came
back to him to night with a vivid.
ness that awakened feeling which
he Immediately recognized as the
same as one of FIVE years ago. And
hoping you scrupulous and proper
folks are satisfied with this explana
ton, let us hurry on, or Charley may
get ahead of us.
Charley bad his arm around Lucy,
Il declare should no, have told that,
but now let me fnish,) and Lucy was
resting her head on his shoulder
Then Charley bent his head down
and kissed her lips-thosc luscious
lips-just as be had done before when
we did not see, / suppose; and called
her my little dariing,' and wanted
to know if she would pardon him for
thinking be loved Clara. And then
Lucy put her arms about his neck
aud kissed him in reply so sweetIy,
that really, reader, believe Charley
did get ahead of US after all. Surely
the hare did win once, while the tor.
toise paused in an unlucky moment
to excuse his journey to another.
Now, let US see-ah, ha maybe
we oan catch Philip Graves before he
steps over the score.
How they, Philip aud Laura, got
on the lounge together I'm sure l do
not know, and won't hazard even a
superstition +; but there they are, chat
ting away as busily as you please,
and far more easily than they would
hal they any idea what a gossip was
watching them.
The subject turned on music. and
Philip mentioned a new song he must
get and learn.
why, | have it, said Laura, and
she arose to get it from the piano. -
She was just taking her place by bis
side again, when Philip put his arms
around her and drew her down upon
his lap.
She did not scream or make any
resistance at all to this impertinence.
No! She knew Philip Graves we'll,
and she knew it was not an act oil
trihing Irritation. Then she was
drawn closer in his arms, closer to
his manly breast, and she heard from
him words that every true girl anx.
iously waits to hear from the man
she loves for Philip really said this
Never mind the music, Laura, now
Tell me if you love one who loves
you, and will you be my wife some
day ?
1t was rather sudden, and no won
der Laura lropped the music. Blu
then it would only have been in the
way when she put both arms around
Philips neck and said just the one
simple but expressive Yes in a Low
tone but Philip heard. Then ht
kissed her of course, or rather they
kissed each other.
And | really believe they forgo
everything and everybody after tina
but themselves for when Philip
took his leave. there lay the piece 0
music on the floor where it had fallen
When Laura saw it, the whole occur
renee came to her mind anew, ant
she blushed, though there was no ont
there to see it. Foolish girl. Tha
music was carefully preserved. 1t