Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1880-12-25
For the CHRONICLE.
POOH MRS. MONTAGUE.
BY B. E. H.

BY B. E. HI.
'tDo you know what I have /
strong inclination to do?''
"Can't imagine"
, 'sIt is to take old Mrs. Montague
by the nape of the neck and pitcf
her out that third-story window p
"Do take your revenge in little
milder manner, and remember 'the
rarity of Christian charity"
"You had better jog her memory
asregards that. Why, do you know,
Phil, that she has actually forbidden
Jessie to dance with me tonight ?''
Harry Efield's face darkened as he
spoke.
"Old vixen! 1 should take the
greatest delight in pulling her nose
off,"
They are standing in one corner
of the ballroom of the Gaff; the
dancers are whirling to and fro in
cool indifference to the young mans
dilemma. The spirit and sport of
Christmas eve is abroad; and such
Christmas clean, crisp and
white. This morning nature put
down a spotless carpet for the COM
ing festivities, but alas for its puri-
ty; the tread of hurrying feet and
rushing wheels have effaced its fair
ness. Mine host of the Gaff is ush-
ering in the old, old holiday with
reckless liberality. Such a crowd,
such music, such bill-of-fare. The
good, the gay, and the sober are out
to do horor to the entertainment.
But dlspite the fine advantages, d
cloud still hangs on the handsome
brow of Harry Ef1eld.
81 say, Harry, why don't you
have turn with the girl while the
old lady maps? You know she
could never hold her eyes open five
Minutes
"Nap indeed" he returns with
fine contempt; "that looks like it,"
Stiff and straight against the op-
posite wall sat the dowager, and
standing near, with a couple of her
admirers, was the object of young
Efield's admiration.
''Did Jessie tell you ?"
"Yes; and she was awfully fright
ened, poor little girE ,She breads a
scene."
"What has the old lady got
against you, Harry?"
"Nothing. She is simply visiting
my fathers sins on my head, and
will not even explain her dislike for
him. I'll wager basket of cham
pagne that he Tilted her fifty years
ago."
Thedance goes merrily on. Young
Efield stands in moody silence, with
his eyes fixed on Jessie Burrows.
He is gentleman of taste-she is
worth looking at. The innocent |
beauty of lip and brow, the wine
eolored velvet robe, with the clus-
ters of cream and scarlet roses,
grouped at belt and throat, are
worthily engaging. He is recalled |
by his friends voice.
81 say, Hal, I'll go around and !
have a dance with Jessie, and we
will slip into the cloak-room. You
meet us there, and you can have
five minutes with her, if no more"
"The very thing, old fellow" he
says, with slap on his companions
shoulder. "Yod be sure to bring
her, if you have to throttle the old |
crone in the attempt"
"You may trust me-"
He watched his friend as he left |
his side and went in the direction of
the band, to allay suspicion. Five
minutes more and he is at Miss Bur
rows side; and oh wonderful dar-
ing, he is shaking hands with the
dowager, and evidently saying
something pleasing, for there is
smile on her withered old face. AT |
length he turns and stands with
folded arms conversing with his
companion. He telegraphs nod
and smile to young Effield, and the
compact is complete. The waltz has
yet to be ended, and the young man
joins a gay little friend of his.
"Katie," he begins, 81 am going
to leave the hall for few minutes,
and when / return / want you to
firt with me to the extent of your
art"
SHOW could / be so naughty ?"
she says, with red, pursed-up lips.
"No nonsense, Katie, 1 am in
earnest. 1 am playing for heavy
stake tonight, and you must help
me win it,
"Oh, certainly, if that is your
game"
The galop has struck up, and as
ne turns, HnIl hdnudI anu MISS
Burrows go by. lie goes leisurely
round to the entrance and disap-
pears. The cloak-room is deserted.
He walks up to the fire. and turning
his back to it, fixes his eyes eagerly
on the door.
They have come at last. Phil
Randall hurries his companion in
and closes the door.
"Why, Harry, what does this
mean ?" is the girls frightened in
quiry.
"It simply means that [ was de-
termined to see you. l say, Jessie,
is this to go on always ?''
"I-I don't know"
"Well, l am tired of it, and you
shall say tonight whether or not
you come from under her jurisdic-
ton. Which shall it be, Mrs. Mon
tague or myself?"
"Oh, you, Harry, you! She clasps
her white hands over her eyes to