Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1880-07-09

make proper explanation, certainly
will. Only see how late it is; the whole
company have gone long ago, and am
positively angry"
Mrs. Austin ran home to get ready, and
when, a little later, she and her husband
called at the door of the Thornton man
sion, Miss Jessie was found fully equip
ped, and in q moment more they were
dashing along with that young lady snug
" tucked under the robes.
When they reached the country tavern
(where the party was being held, they
found the company dancing, and Doctor
Alien leading set with Susie Clark but
he looked surprised when he saw Jessie
enter with the Austins.
How gay and spirited did that young
lady seem all the evening? What love-
ly color was in her checks, and what
brilliancy in her splendid black eyes
How queenly she carried her head, and
how haughtily she refused to dance with
Doctor Allen when be summoned cour-
age to ask her? all of which afforded
great amusement to Mrs. Austin.
"What spirits Jessie Thornton is in to-
night" she said to the doctor, as they
were dancing ais-a-vis with her husband
and Jessie.
eyes, she appears very gay" was the
laconic reply.
~ never saw her look so handsome u
continued the lady.
The physician bowed acquiescence and
tried to look the other way, but as if i'm
PEELED by magnetic influence, his eyes
came back to look upon the beautiful face
opposite him.
~"All this fine show of spirits, DOCTOR
whispered Mrs. Austin, lis born Of any
thing but happiness"
In an instant he was all attention,
and eagerly asked her reason for such a
conclusion.
clad you not engaged the young lady
for to-nightr'
Certainly; but received a very curt
note, at the last moment, containing her
regards, and as Will Bigelow had two
ladies engaged, I begged one, and Miss
Clark fell to my lot. l was deeply NOR
tilted at Miss Thornton's strange recall
of her promise, and intended to convince
her that there were other fish in the
sea-"
$50 gentlemen do strange things on t
of pique, sometimes, as we'll as ladies p
laughed Mrs. Austin; "but there must be
some misunderstanding. I know Jessie
waited until the very last moment, ex-
pecting you to call for her. happened
to be in at their house when you drove
past with Susie Clark, and Jessie was
standing at the window, watching for
you, doctor"
crimson.
Just then the set broke up, and he
found no opportunity of continuing the
conversation. But his efforts to secure
Jessie in the next dance was fine piece
of diplomacy, as that young lady had
eyes and ears for everybody but her low
er, and so managed (hguratively speak
ing) to keep him at a distance, yet fate
gave him the longed-for opportunity. By
chance he met Jessie in the hall leading
10 the deserted refreshment room, and
selling her hand, he begged a moments
audience, and as she saw no way of
avoiding it, she permitted herself to be
led into an adjoining room.
"AIiss Thornton" he asked, did you
not this evening, and at the last moment,
send me a note declining to accompany
ne here~ - -
mo, sir, I did not" she replied, colby,
and with proud, uplifting Of her head.
Nevertheless, 1 received one in your
handwriting, or ! am very Auch mistak-
en-" he returned, producing the docu-
nent, and Jessie read: "NIiss Jessie
Thornton's compliments and regrets for
Wednesday eve, April 1st."
"You acknowledge your writing, of
course, and now know the reason I did
not call for you," he said.
eyes, wrote 1t; but it was never in
tended for you. See, the date has been
hanged. It came from Mrs. Austin-i>
one sent her long ago, when she gave
the first party after hersettlingi in FRINGE
VILE"
"Ah! see the force of the joke, ano
that you and /, my dear girl, are the VIC
inns of a gigantic sell. In fact, think
| you have had your pie returned with the
most usurious interest,"" and the doctor
laughed heartily.
His mirth was so catching that Jessie
was forced to join, and lover-ike, they
prolonged their tee-d-tete until recalled Il
themselves by the breaking up Of the
company, and at that moment note wa.
handed the doctor. It ran thus:
1--WE have run off with Susie Clark, anc
shall expect you to bring Jessie Thorn
Ton home" and was signed by their mu
tual friend, Mrs. Austin.
"That woman has excellent taste," sale
he doctor, "for she knows when she has
.arried a joke far enough" and he lifted
Jessie into his sleigh and tucked the soft
robes about her.
The homeward ride was full compen
sation, as the lovers acknowledged. Jes
sic was in a repentant mood, after he1
proud and cold resentment, and the doc
tor tender and attentive, to make up fo1
his seeming neglect. No doubt he
breathed all manner of vows into the
ears of the lovely and blushing girl, ane
Iexacted toll at every bridge, and ever
perhaps more frequently, Tor Madam
Rumor asserts there is to be a wedding
lat the Thornton mansion, and it is quit'
lcertain that Mrs. Austin will assist in tn
preparations, though she promises not t.
attempt a lemon pie, being quite satisfied
with the one manufactured by Jessie
But Bridget rubs her fat hands ant
laughs long and loud when she tells tn
lstory of how the Mistress paid back Jes
sic in her own coin, and her "foine doc
L tow to honf