The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1881-06-03

Dunlap to excuse me from the next
auadrille. You wait here, and I'll be
back in very few minutes and give you
this dress to put on, and will myself don
another.
So saying, Persis left the faithful Han
nah and descended the stairs with light
step and smiling face. All, reader, hers
is not the only face that wears smiles to
hide wounded pride, modification, or
worse still, an aching heart. Which OF
these emotions Persis most deeply
felt she could not have told. She
was cut to the quick that Dunlap, or any
other person bearing the name of gem
tleman, should make of her laughing
stock for his chums; but if there was q
deeper feeling for him, it was crushed by
his perfidious conduct.
In the hall she met Mr.Dunlap and
his clique.
ST hope have not kept you waiting,
Miss Peyton; I have been out for q
smoke. { believe this is our dance" And
he and placed Persis' hand within his
arm with the utmost sang froid.
Excuse me-" said Persis, and in
spite of herself she could not conceal a
slight touch of irony in her voice, "but
if you do not mind, will not dance this
set."
"Oh, certainly, Miss Persis, if you
feel indisposed to grant me that pleas
ure." And then, under his breath, s.but
you will not forget the meeting in the
arbor?"
Persis nodded assent.
''And I shall be velled. SO should
there be other promenaders, you will
know me by my dress. Au revoir.
The music still discoursed sweet
strains; but one amongst the gay
throng had no ear for the music nor
eyes for the many elegant costumes
that shimmered in the soft light, max
ing the wearers look like so many gay
butterflies; for her thoughts were wan
dering.
Had she done right after all? Truly
| it was only reversing the order OF
| things.
..Uncle is right; he is regular
| make-game. I will have nothing more
| to do with him.
"Come, Cousin Persis, why are you
| moping here? Let us join the rest of the
promenaders. It is a glorious night.
| You look worn and tired, too; fear you
have danced too much. But where shall
we go?"
'sOh, to the arbor, by all means; it
has such fine, winding path leading
| to il"
ssSome of the strollers must have ar
rived here before us, said Persis, as they
heard some one in perfectly audible
voice, say
ST have enjoyed your society SO much
| this evening, and now really you must
allow me to take off this horrid veil, that
|. I may have one look by moonlight at
those beautiful orbs."
So saying, Dunlap-for it was he
took the veil from Hannah's head, and
disclosed not only the orbs but full set
| of teeth as white as Persis herself could
boast of.
The latter lady, with her cousin. now
emerged from the trees into the full rays
of the moonlight.
"Why, Mr.. Dunlap! You here SO
soon? You are more punctual in your
| interviews than in your cotillions. But
perhaps you had prior engagement.
Are You studying opthhalmy, that you
were gazing SO intently at Hannah's eyesI
However interesting that branch of
optics may be, you will have to defer
your scientific researches in that direc-
tion, as it is now time for you. Hannah,
to help about the table. .
And now the suppressed giggling
which seems to issue from the shrubbery
burst into uproarious laughter.
.'Persis Peyton," began Dunlap, as the
knowledge of what dupe she had made
of him began to dawn on him. II would
not have believed you capable of such
an Infamous plot as"
"Excu me for interrupting. but
yours was the plot, mine the counter
plot. I hope the .denouement' has
been sufficiently stunning to crafty your
fastidious taste; but henceforth, when
you have any private theatricals, you
will please discard my name from your
list of actors. as shall yours from my
list of acquaintance. I have the honor
of wishing you very good evening. .
It Is needless to say that Mr.. Dunlap
did not stay to partake of the very elabo-
rate collation. spread before the guests a
little later, at which Hannah served as
one of the walters.
Judge Peyton was much gratified by
hearing his niece say at breakfast, next
morning, that she did think much of
college boys, and especially of Dick
Dunlap. Il Hattie S. Northup, in Wav-
erly.