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

and rising makes him a graceful inclina
tion of her pretty head, and vanishe
among the crowd.
r When she has quite gone, Mr.. Bohur
draws himself up with deep sigh thai
has something of impatience in it.
"What life;" he says Il should &C
raying mad myself if | saw much more
of it. | wonder how Norman can stand
it, That poor pretty creature it is the
saddest thing ever saw. Her beauty
her vain longings for freedom! 1t is hor-
rible."
With this he, too, leaves his seat, and
makes his way toward Wilding, who is
standing at little distance, evidently
lost in contemplation of the elderly prima
donna, who is discoursing in somewhat
noisy fashion with very mild old gen.
tleman.
Reaching Wilding, Bohun comes to a
standstill; while almost at the same mo-
ment young lady. creeping in timid
manner through the throng of dancers,
gains DR.. Norman's side, and with sigh
Of relief slips her hand through his arm.
Bohuns back being turned toward her
he does not see this young lady.
"Well, where have you been all this
time; been enjoying yourself?" asks Mr..
Wilding.
Hardly" with a shrug. at is all
too much like nightmare for my fancy.
You don't catch me coming to this sort Of
thing again in hurry. 1t is melancholy
to the last degree
1T is interesting, says Mr. Wildlng.
at may be to some people. Not to me.
"What misfortune has befallen you ?
asks Mr. Wilding, turning to regard his
friend cu-iously "Has any one molested
you, or made a playful attempt to cut
your throat; You look rather down on
your luck
Il have been talking to one of the
prettiest girls ever saw says Bohun.
"And-she was mad"
"A faint drawback, certainly. Pretty,
you say"
Lovely. She had the sweetest eyes
in the world And the oldest part Of it
was she didn't look in the least out Of her
mind 1t was only her conversation.
She told me, for instance, she was the
Queen of Hearts
THAT was very frank of her says
Mr.. Wilding. Anything else"
NO, much
Did she ask your name =
"lcs. told her was King Of the
Cannibal Islands
Il didn't think it was in YOU, says
Mr. Wildng, with calm but ardent adj
miration. "Of course, the poor lady was
gratifcd at finding herself in the society
of one of her own rank. The idea was
full of dclicacy.'
Il talked to her for a long time. Then
she left me somewhat abruptly-but that
was to be expected, you know. BY
Jove :" says Bohun excitedly, There she
is"
Where, :" turning with some faint
show of interest to gaze in the wrong
direction.
Not there, my dear fellow; over there.
Standing close to Norman. Don't You
see her"
"Who:" says Wilding, betraying the
liveliest CONSERVATION. "Do you mean to
tell me you told that young lady you were
the king of the Cannibal Islands
"Yes," says Bohun, why not
"Well,' says Mr.. Wilding, surveying
his friend with growing delight, ''yon've
about done it this time at all events
That lovely lunatic of yours is Miss Nor
man, Georges youngest sister!
Mr.. Bohun is conscious of a cold chill
that seems to pervade his entire system,
rendering him almost faint.
If this is one of your jokes he says
to his friend sternly, with last supreme
effort at composure, i must say consid-
er it rather ill-timed.
On this occasion only, my dear fellow,
you have the joke all to yourself replies
the friend, with what appears to Mr.. Bo-
hun brutal enjoyment Of the situation.
L give you my honor she is as sane as
YOU are, and-unless she was married
last n;ght-her name is Norman.
'Wilding, remove me. Take me any
where out of this, murmurs Bohun
feebly, taking his companion by the arm.
NO place like the suPper-room for
case like yours, says Wilding, preparing
to lead him thither.
Meantime, Miss Norman having as al
ready related, gained her brothers side,
says in little painting whisper:
Oh, George! how glad am to be
near you again. In spite of all my
efforts to the contrary, confess these
poor people frighten me horribly.
You are nothing but little goose,
Garry says her brother patting her hand,
and | am quite disappointed; | fully
thought YOU would have enjoyed it.
We'll, so | do, dear, immensely. [
have been having quite lovely time. A
young mana very splendid lunatic-did
me the honor to converse with me for half
an hour, during which time he made vio-
lent love TO me-
i should like to have seen your face.
saws George; who was he:'
Il don't know. That was the funniest
part of it. l thought l knew all your
patients, but suppose he is a new arrival.
He is young, about twenty-nine, very
handsome, ard doesn't look the least bit
mad
4 wonder who it is you mean,' says