The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-12-23
APAIR OF SLIPPERS.
From I1arper's Bazaar.

A tall young man ran hastily down the steps
of handsome house in thirty-seventh st.,
and went quickly toward Broadway. The
sun was shining upon a diamond net work
which glittered upon every branch and with
cred vine, and was reflected from the daz-
cling pavement, covered with thin glazing
of ice. There was a vexed, panied look up
on his handsome face, and his steps were
reckless, because his heart was impatient
and sore.
beautiful as ever" he muttered to him
self, land colder than ever. There she
sat with her friends, exquisitely dressed,
quiet and as unmoved by my presence as if
1 had not been away for five days, writing
to her by every mail, hungering for sight
of her. used to think this calmness was the
perfection of high breeding; now know it.
for the sign of a cold heart and absent mind.
Not even to come for a moment into the Ii
brary when gave her such q pretext! There
[ stood like fool fora quarter of an hour,
turning over the books, and thinking every
minute she would come. All, well" he sigh
ed, 1T is my doom to love her and to marry
her; now how to thaw the ice will be the lead
out question. Here comes my pretty neigh
Dor, with the bright cordial smile it does one
good to meet! should think such bit of
sunshine would have melted Fred Boone's
stiffness by this time, if, as people say, they
are engaged. But he looks as much o ram
rod as ever. Good morning, Miss" Here,
to his and her intense surprise, he sat down
on the pavement at her feet. The careless
foot had slipped upon the treacherous ice,
and his downfall was complete.
A quick tide of changing expressions
chased themselves over Rosamond Vane's
bright face. First fun, then CONSERVATION,
frightened and softened in her hazel eyes;
but her mouth remained preternaturally
grave. Instead of scrambling up again, he
sat quite still, and looked at her comicaly.
''Please laugh, he said; II know you are
dying to-"
A soft mirthful peal rang from her pref
ty lips, and she exclaimed: ooh, MIR.
Blount, do getup. am quite unused to
have gentlemen PROSTATE themselves before
me, and it is quite embarrassing, though
complimentary. Then, as he tried to rise,
her face changed to pity. "You have hurt
yourself-where? Have you broken any
bones?"
"A few" he answered, with smile and
writhe; but have good many left,
thank you. No, it is wrench or sprain Of
some sort. 1t will pass in moment" and
he turned very pale as he rose and felt the
full force of the twist he had given himself.
"What can do for you?" asked Rosa
1nond.
eve are very near your house. Do you
think you can walk, or is there anybody I
can call? and she looked around the de-
serted street, where even the policeman
was missing, true to the spirit Of the old
conundrum: what is invisible blue?-A
policeman when he is wanted"
If I could persuade this lamp post to come
fNc 7 CHI oil he
swered, trying to laugh; :'but don't quite
see my way to letting it co."
clean upon me- said Rosamond, with
an earnest, blushing face. 1T will help
you, and the distance is really short"
II could not think of it, Miss Vane," he
replied. But if you would take my arm,
perhaps I might steady myself SO. I shall
feel all right in minute
So Rosamond put her hand we'll in his
arm, and pressed it firmly and closely as
they moved slowly on. A lover-like attitude
it seemed to distinguished looking young
man who approaching, eyed them curiously;
then his face grew white as Miss Vanes
grew rosy, and she exclaimed, quite loud
enough, as she thought, for him to hear;
"Oh. here is Mr.. Boone; he will help you
much better than l."
But even as she spoke he had raised his
hat in stiff silence and passed on.
Rosamond stood quite still for moment in
her bewilderment, and the tears swelled in
to her eyes.
did he not recognize me?" she asked,
piteously.
ooh yes, I think So" answered Philip
Blount. 'Mr. Boone was perhaps in a
hurry--some appointment" And he looked
at her with kind pity in his eyes as the vary
color oof ri "a hot
her emotions of surprise, pain, and finally
quiet displeasure. She said nothing more,
however. Perhaps this was not the first
blow that her trust had received during her
three months engagement.
Only q few steps more, and his labored
breath and white face told Of SO much suf-
fering that she was glad to find their des-
tination close at hand.
"Now sit on this step a moment" she
said, and ran lightly up to ring the bell and
call the servant to his masters sid. II hope
you will feel better very soon," she said,
earnestly, as she held out her hand for good
'And you, my kind neighbor, hope Ihave
done you no harm in any way, " he answered,
in the same tone.
And she said, pressing her lips together
very firmly after she had spoken, mo you
have done me no harm in any ecay."
Several days passed, and Rosamond saw
neither of the two men who had played so
prominent part in her morning walk.
She had sent to inquire after Mr.. Blount
with her mothers compliments had
learned that he had not been able to leave
his room, but short rest would probably
make him all right.
And almost disappointed was she, when
beautiful basket of roses came to her, to
read on the card his name, instead of find
ing in it a tardy but acceptable token of
the days passed on, and she bided her time,
displeased, thoughtful, yet ready with a true
woman's heart to listen to enthusiastically
to be easily propitiated. But absence and