Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-11-09
The Ball mt brandon.

81 am annoyed. =
George Gaylor opened his big, blue
eyes, tossed his cigarette over the vine.
clad rail OF the piazza, and fixed a
comical, halt sarcastic glance upon his
pretty .fancee.
"Can it be that You are annoyed with
me, Lucy?' he asked.
Eyes, with you.
is it possible?" he laughed. pray,
how have l offended your highness?
The little white hands flew more rap
idly than ever over the embroidery, ami
Lucy Herbert did not look up as she
answered:
.'Well, since you insist upon know
ing, must say that Your conduct with
Daisy MardeE last evening was uncalled
for, to say the least
why so?
"Why? Because L was not the only
one To notice how you tiirted with her,
and you know as well as l do that she
has the reputation of being an uncon-
scionable coquette."
George Gaylor burst into a peal OF
irresistible laughter.
Il think Miss Marden simply love
lyl' he exclaimed; "besides, L don't
quite see why You should dictate rules
of conduct TO me, even if We are en-
gagged"
In an instant the little beauty was.
upon her feet, her cheeks flushing, and
her brown eyes all alight with indigna-
| ton.
81 don't pretend to dictate" she
cried, "and never shall. At any time
that you desire your freedom il is at
your disposal"
Lucy"
Il mean what say, George
Now you are angry" lie said; Il
wouldn't believe yon could be Jealous
when you know how I love You"
This was poser" and Lucy sat
down again. In voice that WAS uem-
ulous with tears, she replied:
"You wouldn't want to see me ffirt
even if you were sure of my love"
! 81 shouldn't mind it bit" he hast
ened to say; don't think me 80 fool
ish. Iou are at liberty to do exactly
as you see lit.
There WIS moment of silence, and
then taking up her embroidery again,
Lucy said:
"Very well.
So George lighted another cigarette,
and for the time being this dangerous
quicksand was passed safely over.
Perhaps the whole affair had passed
ont of the young mans recollection,
when on the following evening he en-
tered the ballroom at the village hotel
with Lucy Oh his arm, lovely in an i'm
promptu costume of pale blue gauze
and sprays of blackberry blossoms.
OF course Daisy Marlen WIS there,
and no sooner had she sighted the lovers
than she floated up to them, perfect
vision of piquant loveliness in cloud Of
white tulle and garlands of wild roses.
"Oh, Lucy exclaimed the irrepres-
sible young lady, when she was within
hailing distance, g who do YOU suppose
/ is here p
Il can't imagine, was Miss Her
bert's calm reioinder.
Cecil Andrews, your old flame. :"
! Lury's face frightened.
Il shall be very happy TO meet Mr..
Andrews again, she said.
And oh, he's ten times handsomer
than he was before he left Brandon, "
supplemented Miss Daisy. Hes just
cr w to see you. Here's my card, Mr..
Gaylor, if You care TO dance with me
thIs evening"
"Shall l begin with the next waltz ~
George asked.
Certainly"
When he had scratched his name TO
several of the dances and was about to
put his pencil away, Lucy presented her
card.
"You have forgotten TO select your
dances with me, George" she said.
Never mind, dear" he said hurried
"; you'll have some vacancies when
| come back I'll select some, then, -
and away he fioated with the tulle and
pink roses into the maze of dancers.
Now it so happened that Miss Daisy
Marden was quite vicious enough to
try to render her friend unhappy, and
so it wis full half hour ere George
returned to the spot where he had left
his love.
Lucy was gone.
Yes, she was dancing with the hand
some stranger, which fact so piqued our
hero that the moment the music ceased,
he pressed his way through the crowd
and demanded Lucy's card.
Every place was filled.
"You were away so long, George,
Lucy said, with an unconscious smile,
"that Ireally could not reserve dance
for you Mr.. Andrews, permit me to
present my friend, Mr.. Gaylor."
1 The men bowed coldly, and George
returned the card, not, hewever, ere
he had seen that Cecil Andrews name
appeared upon it in not less than SIX
places.
For the first time in his hitherto care
less existence, George Gaylor tasted the
bitterness of jealousy.
1t was horrible evening to him; the
hours dragged like lead, Miss Daisy
palled upon him and the end of it was
that he passed the time smoking ut.
terly unsatisfactory cigarettes in the
garden of the hotel, until two o'clocl
struck and reminded him that IT was
> time to go home and end his misery.
He hastened through the hall wher,
people were donning cloaks and wraps
and entered the ballroom