The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-04-29


he relaxed a little as the squire drew
him for few moments into CONVERSE
tion, listening to his remarks with such
Difference, in spite of the difference in
their years, that the young man was
flattered and elated. But for short
time, however; the squire cculd not
stop long with one. and as he moved
away the solitary malcontent muttered
"All very well; he's kind-hearted
man and means well when he brings
me here; but she takes care to show me
that l am out of place. All! she is
going to condescendr' % savagely, as Miss
Burleigh approached and said, with a
scarcely concealed hesitation which was
not noticeable in her manner toward
others:
"We are discussing a question of
vital Importance, Doctor Elwell, and
we want your opinion"
The doctor, of course, banishing his
ill-humor, and offering his arm to his
youthful hostess with low bow, ac-
companied her across the room to where
a merry half dozen or so of young people
were holding a laughing dispute.
I'VE are considering the propriety
of the gentlemen entirely Withdrawing
from the field, and in view of the fact
that leap.year comes so seldom, giving
the ladies the exclusive privilege of
making choice. What do you think,
doctorP" asked Kate Ormsby, a bright
brunette, as her black eyes flashed, with
the spirit of coquetry which was as
natural as her breath, intensified by the
somewhat disappearing glance of q
blonde gentleman opposite.
Doctor Elwell, not at all averse to
making some one else suffer a 1.-THE of
the pangs which rent his own spirit,
with sudden intuitive recognition of
the fact that he might avenge himself
on the said unoffending gentleman, re-
piled, with animation and empressment:
IL quite agree with you, Miss
Ormsby; during this year the right of
selection and proposal belongs to the
ladies alone, and any gentleman who is
so daring as to infringe upon right
should be madeto pay forfeit, consist
ing ofnothing less than a love of a bon.
net or Paii isian fan"
"Oh! and that reminds me-" cried
Kate, "you know it is an old custom,
| banded down from our forefather's time,
and as a relic of antiquity, to be solemnly
respected and rigidly enforced, that any
gentleman who has the hardihood to
refuse, must pay folfei of nothing less
than silk dress"
romance" said Edith.
Rather hard on some poor fellow
who couldn't raise silk dress" re-
marked Mr.. Wheelsr, the blonde, who,
by the way, was very well-to-do dry
goods, merchant of proverbially generous
habits.
DIR Elwell first turned faint at the
thought of the silk dress, then called
himself fool and coxcomb, and finally
flushed crimson at Mr.. Wheeler's re-
mark, which he considered direct af-
front.
"As if any one could not buy a silk
dress!" exclaimed Kate, Indignantly,
but then you must know, sir, that no
lady will propose to gentleman until
sne knows his state of mind.
"That is what we men think with re-
gard to asking lady the momentous
question; but we generally find our
selves completely in the dark as to their
feelings for us"
"Ah! but you gentlemen displa7
your feelings more than ladies do, said
saucy Kate. There! they are FORM
ing quadrille in the next room. Let
me see; have partner tor this dance?
mediately begged the honor, and pro-
ceeded to the spacious apartment which
was devoted to the service of Terpsich
ore, with the little brunette on his
arm. My. Wheeler pulled his blonde
mustache in vexation, and for few
moments seemed to have changed places
with the disciple OF Galen.
"What charming man DR.. Elwell
is" remarked Kate Ormsby, who was
to remain day or two with Edith, as
the girls were talking ever the events
of the evening in the latter's chamber
before retiring. Edith colored little
and bent to unbutton her boots as she
answered:
DO you find him SOP You seemed
to get on very well with him, though
he is so grave l have hardly known
up in his profession, l suppose. Papa
thinks his throat has greatly improved
since he began his treatment"
Edith did not see the laugh Kate
stiffied at this measured speech. and the
latter went on gleefully: Ia
Yes, l find him very interesting,
but not entirely free from the weaknesses
that mortal man befall. How con-
ceited these men are! | declare, am
dying to take them down little, and
the first of April is near at band"
The dreary month of March was en-
livened by.numerous attractive evening
entertainments, one of the chief of which
was a candy party at the farmhouse of
Kate's father, to which the young ladies
escorted the young gentlemen OF
Gheir choice, in sleighs and huggies, as
the weather permitted, making rare
sport of the reversed order OF things.
To all of these was DIR Elwell invited,
and to all he promptly went, notwith-
standing the fact that he frequently
stated to his inner consciousness that he
was the most incomprehensible idiot in
existence, and that the special festivity
which was on the tapis at that particu lar
time should be the last tantalizing
gaiety to count him as its victim.
For enc most aggravating fact re-
mained-although young ladies in and
out of the village for miles around
showed him honor, for which he should
have been grateful, though bright eyes
sparkled and dimpled cheeks glowed the
more at his approach-spite of the fact
which continually haunted him that he
was only young physician, struggling
| for place in life-one damsel, for
whose smiles he watched with an eager
| longing which no rel son could subdue,
remained utterly Indifferent to all ap-
peara1ces, treating him with calm
civi.ity that was maddening. Perhaps
no one but Kate knew what existed be-
meath the calm exterior. and if she sus-
pected, no one was the wiser.
L