Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1881-07-20
ENGAGED"

torted, with sort of grim humor,
chat they like yours y
Mr.. David Daffodil simpered and
pulled his straw-colored moustache.
"Now really upon my word said he,
that's asking a fellow to turn evidence
against himself If they don't like it,
their manner decidedly bellies their
opinion, ha, ha, ha You should have
heard EN- applaud me in private thea
tricals, the other night. I'm not vain
but l really think carried of the
laurels Of the evening. | was invited
TO Mrs. Pcthcrell's morning concert
to-day-just come from there, in fact.
You must be very popular said
Rexford.
There, again, can't commit my
self said the beau-gencral, smelling
daintily at a boutonniere Of tuberoSe
and sweet geranium leaves, before he
pinned it to his coat. But | have
several calls to make-calls that posi-
lively can't be postponcd-or | should
deem it a duty to devote myself to you,
my dear Rexford, on this first evening
of your stay in town"
Il suppose ! couldn't accompany
your said Hugh.
Mr.. David Dafodil cast shocked
glance at Rexford's rough and ready
coat, hair that was cut by the scissors
of no metropolitan barber, and loose
silken cravat knotted carelessl " at the
noble throat.
"Well-to tell YOU the truth he
hesitated, the young ladies to whom |
propose to pay my compliment. this
evening are-ahem very exclusive
OH" said Hugh
and ! shouldn't ike to introduce
any friend without especial permission
"No?'
"And besides-you'll excuse my
mentioning it-your dress is hardly the
thing for evening calls in our most
aristocratic circles"
"Oh, it isn't, eh?'
Not exactly
"And yours-is?' laughed Hugh.
Well, all right, old college mate. III
manage to console myself with a news
paper until you come back-or perhaps
I'll drop in on one of the theatres, if ]
find myself at all lonesome
Mr.. Daffodil stepped into the wait
ing coupe, and drove away. Hugh
Rexford smiled grimly to himself
when he came to spend the sum-
mer weeks at the old farm" he said
to himself, II don't remember being at
all particular as to the cut Of his coat.
But city life is 50 different"
And he lighted his cigarette, and
took up the uncut pages Of a novel to
beguile the time.
The Misses Maurange were at home
in fact, it was their at home evening
and the drawing was full. Mr.. DAT
fodil was in his element; but presently
he became aware, by sort of magnet
ic prescience, that there was a half
suppressed ripple of merriment through
the room.
II hope Mr.. Dafodil isn't afraid Of a
general siege on the part Of the ladies :"
said Katherine Maurange, roguishly
~" echoed Mr.. Dahodil.
Though certainly it is leap year"
added Miss Ballou, plump heiress,
with hair the color Of buttercup and
very pink cheeks.
Ladies, | am ever your humble
slave" said the brave general. Leap
year can make no difference in my al
legiance."
Bat 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 Maui
range, giggling behind her pocket
handkerchief, you've no business to
be sailing under false colors'
AT this, there was general upbub-
bling Of the wave of laughter.
Two or three gentlemen came in just
then, and Mr.. Daffodil 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,
peevishly, to himself.
Old Miss Mixcell was his second
call. Why people called on Miss Mix
cell, nobody knew. She was cross, and
old, and caustic, and never took any
pains to make herself agreeable to any
one; but nevertheless she was the fash
ion. Her parlor was full of old dragon
china, specimens of blue crackle ware,
carved wood, rare sea-shells, coins in
velvet cases, and bits of choice tapes
try, which might or might not have
been wrought by Lady Jane Gray or
Queen Elizabeths maids-ofhonor.--
Mixcells afternoon teas were always
patronized by the world of fashion, and
Il was considered CONNIE il faut to have
ones card on her quaint japanese re
ceiver.