Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-05-07

ner, without word or gesture, indicated |
the stupid little fellow at her side. Nc |
Rae bent over him with hattering
eagerness.
"Mr. Mopnce,n he said, IN IN low,
con6dential tone, "there's q young lady
across in tho other parlor that has asked
for an introduction 10 you. Shall 1
have the pleasureP
Mr.. Mounce arose, much pleased
"Don't allude 10 her having asked
for an introduction, whispered Rod
eric, as they crossed the hall. "She
is little shy and " might upset her. j."
He rebtrh6d In a moment and took
the vacant chair by Mays side with the
air Of one who has finished his
duties and now means 10 enjoy him
self.
"Miss May" he began, picking up a
corner of her work TO examine It,
"permit me to thread your needle"
"The ideal'' she Knocked. "Gentle-
men are so dexterous about such
things.' 'fful
"Indeed 1 can,', he persisted. "I
did ever so much worsted work once
when I was a little fellow and had the
measles"
May scrutinized the needle carefully
a moment and then gave it to him with
a mischievous smile. He made one or
two attempts to thread it and then
gave it back, her smile reflected on his
face.
"Let me try" said another young
man, leaning eagerly forward. He
took the needle, tried few times to
thread it, and returned it with peculiar
look. Another tried his fortune with
the same result. There was q general
movement of interest.
"Well,p cried May, "thisis peculiar.
Among all my particular friends isn't
there one that can do such a little thing
as thread, "a needle for mep"
This appeal produced no marked
effect. There seemed to be a general
underlined suspicion among those who
had not made the attempt.
"Youm have to offer some further
inducements, Miss May,n cried McRae.
"The spirit of chivalry is not dead
among us, but the ladies no longer
stimulate us to great deeds. Promise
your hand as the reward of the victor
and see how exciting the contest win
be-" ri t... +}bt
can right" said May, catching the
spirit of fun. ''My hand shall be the
reward of the brave man who will
thread that needle for me-"
There was no lack of interest now.
Three or four young men sprang eager
ly forward, and general murmu
spread through the room. It was no
unusual thing for the whole party to be
aroused by some fun or fancy that orig
mated in the group around Miss Martin.
May began to feel uncomfortable. The
words she had spoken did not suit the
wider publicity given them and she
lOnged to take them back. Especially
was she startled by a familiar voice
behind her, and looking up she saw
Arthur Huntington bending over her.
The careless words had been intended
only for Eric McRae and o. few others,
all gay TESTERS who would understand
the spirit Of the thing but Huntington
was graver and more 'dignified, he
might not take the joke; and she was
/ further irritated to find she cared for
his possible disapproval. But she had
4 gone too far to recede, and her spirit
rose defiant to meet him, though the
humorous twinkle in his eyes somewhat
reassured her.
Z" Miss May" he began, sis this q
bonaside Offer you are nlakingP" q" 7
Certainly she responded gayly.
"I'll take ypu up,n said hepromptly.
''Time," '' cried McRae.t -''tLimit the
time, Miss Martin. Don't have poor
Huntington working over that needle
when he's old and gray"
"To be sure," she said. "Well,
then, my hand shall reward the hero
who will thread, this needle within three
days." and she held Il up to Hunting
ton. He took it, glancing at it keenly
an instant and discovering what all were
now beginning to suspect, that it had
no eyel Huntington was in no wise
disconnected by the shout of Mughter
that arose as those who held the secret
impaired it eagerly to the rest, but after
inquiring grayely il, there were any other
competitors took out his pocket book
and put the needle carefully away,
Glancing at the.clook on. the mantel, n
"Saturday evening at nine, then,
Miss May" he said, and bowing slightly
walked away.
May rolled up her work inpHtienHy
"I certainly can't work now my needle
is broken she said, and rising hastily
as McRae offered her his arm she swept
away.
On their way, Lou Tyler met them
"Mr. Huntington has gomez she said
"He Just came and bade me good night,
saying he had to 90 home to night and
the train left in an hour. Funny, isn't
itPn -
"Not at ALL" said McRae. ",Ei;
4. &, Il
little while because she thinks She is
going to die, something"
May was relieved to find that Hunt
ington had gone! for she had thought il
would be disagreeable to meet him
Roderic McRae devoted himself TO the
task of restoring her good hdmor, and
the next day her mind was absorbed by
the arrival of her dearest and most inti-
mate friend, Miss Alice Larocque, Of
New York. Miss Larocque arrived al
dinner-time, there was constant sue.
cession of callers in the evening, and il
was not until the girls retired for the
night that they had an opportunity fol
a confidential talk.
Miss Laroeque asguest was given the
first chance, and for two hours May lis
tened with eager, gushing sympathy tc
the recital of her friends affairs, all the
time longing to begin upon her own
Miss Larocque finally concluded o long
story about a rejected admirer and turn
ing suddenly upon May exclaimed:
Snow, May, it's a perfect shame
You haven't told me one thing abou
yourself, and I'm dying to know, jus
dying. Your letters have been so un
satisfactory latelyi but you needn't try