The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-28
THE DAILY STAR
ENGAGED.

pulled Ills StraW-coi6red mustache.
"Now, really, upon my word" said he,
chats asking fellow to turn evidence
against himself! If they don't like it,
their manner decidedly bellies their opin-
ion, hs, ha, hal You should have heard
'em applaud me in private theatricals
the other night Pm not vain, but |
really think l carried off the laurels OF
the evening. was invited to Mr.. Peth-
ereiPs morning concert to-day-just come
from there, in fact"
"You must be very popular" said
Rexford.
"There, again, can't commit myself"
said tine beau-general, smelling dainty
at the bcutonniere of tuberose and sweet
gernanium leaves, before he pinned it
into his coat. "But have several calls
to make-calls that positively can't be
postponed-or should deem it aduty to
devote myself to you, my dear friend,
Rexford, on this first evening of your
stay in town."
II suppose l couldn't accompany
you?' said Hugh.
Mr.. David Daffodil cast a shocked
glance at Rexford's rough-and-ready
coat, hair that was cut by the scissors of
E no metropolitan barber, and loose sllken
cravat, knotted carelessly at the noble
throat.
"Well-to tell you the TRUTH" he hesi-
tated, "the young ladies to whom l pro-
pose to pay my compliments this even-
ing-ahem!-ar very exclusive"
"OhW said Hugh.
"And l shouldn't like to introduce my
friend without especial permission.
"NoT .....
"And besides-you'll excuse my
mentioning it-your dress is hardly the
thing for evening calls in our most aris-
tocratic circles"
ooh, isn't it, eh?"
"Not exactly" ,
"And yours-is% laughed Hugh.
"Well, all right, old college-mate. I'll
manage to console myself with a news
paper until you come back-or perhaps
I'll drop in one of the theaters, if l find
myself at all lonesome"
Mr.. Dafodil stepped into the waiting
coupe, and drove away. Hugh Rexford
smiled grimly to himself.
"When he came to spend the summer
weeks at the old farm" he said to him
self, II don't remember being at all par
ticular as to the cut of his coat But city
life is so different" .....
And he lighted his cigarette, and took
up the uncut pages of novel to beguile
the time.
The Misses Maurange were at home
IN fact, it was their at home evening
and the drawing-room was full. Mr.. DAT
fodil was in his element; but presently he
became aware, by a sort Of magnetic
prescience. that there was haf-sup-
pressed ripple of merriment through the
room.
II hope Mr.. Daffodil isn't afraid of a
general siege on the part of the ladies" :"
said Katharine Maurange, roguishly."
APP echoed Mr.. Daffodil.
Though certainly it is leap-year, Z"
added Miss Balou, a plump heiress, with
hair the color of a buttercup and very
pink cheeks.
Ladies, l am ever your humble
slave" said the brave general. 'Ieap-
year can make no difference in my al
Iegiance."
'but if you're an engaged man." said
Helen Hartwick, who was literary, and
wrote verses which her friends pro-
nounced to be sweet poetry for the
magazines"
"But assure YOU am not"
"Then." said the youngest Miss Mau-
range, giggling behind her pocket hand
kerchief, you've no business to be sail.
ing under false colorsi"
At this there was general up-bub.
bling Of the wave of laughter.
Two or three gentlemen came in just
then, and Mr.. Dafodil took his leave,
uncertain whether or not he was being
laughed at.
II hate these young ladies who set UP
for being wits" said the gentleman, ,peev-
ishly, to himself.
Old Miss Mixcell was his second call
Why people called on Miss MixcelI, no
body knew. She was cross, and old, and
caustic, and never took any pains tt
make herself agreeable to anyone; bu
nevertheless she was the fashion. Hel
parlor was full of old dragon.china
specimens of blue crackle-ware, carved
wood, rare sea-shells, coins in velve
cases, and bits of choice tapestry, which
might or might not have been wrought
by Lady Jane Grey or Queen Elizabeth
maidsof-honor. Miss MixceiPs Afternoon
teas were always patronized by the worlc
of fashion, and it was considered CONNIE
il fauts to have ones card on her quaint
japanese receiver.
Miss Mixcell stared hard at Mr.. DAT
fodil.
"HumpllP said she. Engaged arr
your -9
"Ehf" said Mr.. Dafodil. ....
"Well, you needn't have taken st
much pains to tell me of it," sputteret
the old lady. II haven't any designs or
you" .- ,.s-.. .-
az assure you, madame"
"You needn't assure me anything,
laid Miss Mixcell, turning her blacl
satin back upon him. "No, Morris, yol
ra,J,jt hr;,,y fh<, aobo and M No