Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-10-28

Really, it is very difficult to know
who is mad and who isn't" he say,
aloud, and Mr. Wilding, who is at hi'
elbow, assents YEARLY. Yes, it is al
very disappointing.
OF course, there are few eccentric
blots in the perfect picture; but they are
not numerous, and may be counted on
the fingers of one hand. There is, for
instance, at the upper end af the room a
lady clad in the costume of the Bohemian
girl, as she appears in Mr.. Bales opera.
She rejoices in three parti-colored peti-
coats. worn one over another in successive
degrees of shortness, which, if odd, is
certainly picturesque. That is, the petit
coats are; their wearer, though undoubt-
edly odd, fails dismally in the picturesque.
The fact that she is gaunt spinster of
ffty-fve, with gigantic nose and spec
tacles, rather spoils the effect When in
her sane mind | have no doubt she would
have shrieked at Bohemian, and quiv-
cred with Indignation at a short petticoat; !;
yet now, poor soul, she goes about, harm
lesSly enough, assuring everybody she is
prima donna, and telling them what sue
cess she had at Drury Lane the last night
she sang, and how her Majesty was there,
and how the Shah of Persia flung her a
bouquet studded with gems. "Yes, my
admiring friend, studded with gems.
At the other end of the room stands
another blot, evidently trying to sink out
of sight. He is young man of unmis-
takably gentle breeding, but clothed in
the toughest of rough garments. DIR.
Norman, coming up behind our two
friends, points him out.
Look at that man." he says; at is
very sad about him, poor fellow He is
heir to baronetcy and eight thousand d
year, and lovely place in Yorkshire, yet
he insists upon it that he is an artisan,
and will speak nothing but the broadeSt
Yorkshire dialect
That accounts for his coat says
Widing.
"Nes, tonight, nothing would induce
him to get into his dress clothes He
said a person in his position would be un-
comfortable in them. He is very uneven
in his temper; and We hope We may make
a cure of him yet. Now 20 and dance
with whom YOU please. There are sew
cral pretty women in the nom Don't
hlrt too much, but humor them-humor
them"
"Wc can't be accused OF turning their
heads, that one comfort, SAYS Wilding, ~
misfortune having done that alrcady.'
So they separate, and Bohuu, moving
slowly, somewhat li,tle>sly, from wall TO
wall, watches curiously all that i, going
ON around him.
Half an hour later, standing with his
back to a door, his eyes fell upon a Young
and very pretty girl sitting alone upon
couch at some distance from him. Her
hand, are folded on her knees, her eyes
are wandering slowly down the crowd be-
yond her She is dressed in some filmy
robe OF black, little open at the neck,
through which her skin shines with daz-
zlinc fairness. Her sleeves are cut short
10 the elbow. so that her arms. soft and
rounded as a child's, can be half seen.
Bohun is attracted, and gazes at her
intently: there is something about her
mouth. which Is firm yet very tender, that
reminds him of some one-whom, he
cannot call to mind. Yes, she is very
pretty, more than pretty-downright
lovely: when Mr. Bohun comes TO this
point he raises himself from his lounging
position and crosses over TO the couch on
which this fair divinity is seated. 1t is
with some faint feeling OF apprehension
he takes this step, lunatics, however
beautiful, not being altogether to his
taste.
Seeing you alone" he begins respect
fully, II thought perhaps you would let
me come and talk to you for little
The distraught beauty turns her head,
and regards him speculatiyely-perhaps
a trihe neryously-before replying.
"Oh, certainly" she says then, in a
very sweet voice that has plaintive ring
in it.
Thank YOU says Bohun gratefully,
seating himself behind her Glancing at
the room generally, he says presently
with view to making conversation;
This is rather a gay scene, is it not"
s'Nery." said Beauty.
"You are fond of dancing:"
YES says Beauty, always with an
air of reservation.
("Evidently of the monosyllabic order"
thinks Mr.. Bohun mot demonstrative
at all events, thank my stars
Then why are you not dancing" he
asks gently-rery gently, lest he should
rouse a sleeping demon.
The pretty maniac pauses moment,
as though to consider her answer. and
then says naively:
because nobody has asked me"
"What shame!" says Bohun. Zone
can hardly believe it. Perhaps" with
some hesitation, ''you will give me the
pleasure Of He half rises from his
seat as he speaks, but at his words his
companion shrinks visibly, and puts up
one hand in a manner almost beseech-
ingly.
"Oh. thank you, no" she says, re-
garding him with something like horror
in her eyes. Il should much prefer not
Do not entreatingly, and just little
soothingly, think me rude, but | assure
you | should much rather sit still "
"As you wish, of course" says Bo-