Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-03-17

| Mr.. HaZelton came and went, walked,
drove and danced with her, but still with
the same polite, calm n0nchatdm manner
with which he met other women, Jessie
grew thoroughly piqued. Exercised all her
arts and pretty coquetries, and still failing
to WIN the special admiration, nay even
love, on which sine had counted, she found
herself bestowing much more thought on
this provoking man, than she had ever
wasted on one of his species before.
OF course he knew nothing OF all this.
Whatever may have been his own feelings
on the subject, it never once occurred to him,
that she was thinking of anything more
serious than the mere amusement of the
hour. Or did she herself know what ii
really meant
Matters were IN this state, when the
Burtons, whose place adjoined Lynde
hurst announced their intention of giving
a ball, TO which number of city people
were invited Jessie, by this time, had
determined to try indifference also, but on
her first attempt had her temper ruttied by
the flash of amusement which succeeded
the usual expression of half dreamy
calm, in the eyes of her tormentor.
Harry Hazelton was rather a handsome
man. He had fine figure, and whatever
his features lacked of perfect symmetry,
was atoned for by the bright intelligence
an frank trnthfullness of his expression.
A few days before Mrs. Burton's ball,
| Hazelton announced his intention of leav-
ing the country as soon as 1t was over. The
time he had allowed himself for rest and
recreation was nearly over, and he must
return to the city and TO his work. Then
Jessie learnt, as by flash. that what she
had thought only Disappointment and pIque;
this feeling that had filled her thoughts
with his image; was something deeper
Something that terrified her, and made her
understand, somewhat, the pain which she
had too often carelessly inflicted on others.
Hazelton was looking at her earnestly,
though, SO, with some laughing remark,
she changed the subject, and soon after
left the room.
From this time, her manner TO him was
more indifferent and coquettIsh than ever.
She was trying to prove to herself, as well
as to him, that she cared not for either his
presence or departure.
The nj ght of the ball, Jessie, and several
friends who had come up from town for it,
were waiting in the drawing room lor some
more tardy Individual, when Harry Hazel
ton dropped in, en- passant. Jessie was
making up little bouquets TO decorate the
coats OF two gentlemen, who, in full party
rig. were earnestly watching the process.
''There, Captain Roland, could anything
be loveher u she exclaimed, as she handed
to one of them an exquisite combination of
tea-rose buds, heliotrope and geranIum
leaf
Nothing could possibly be more lovely,
Miss Conrad, he answered, not looking
at the flowers at all, but into her face in
stead
just theE Jessie saw HaZelton approach
ing, and smiling up into Captain Roland's
face, she gave him acoquettish glance from
her soft eyes. But no one noticed the tight
closing of her lips, or the flush that over
spread her countenace, as she bent over
the table for more blossoms.
''And what shall yours be, Major Colder"
asked Miss Conrad.
~'Oh, anything you like, Miss Conrad.
leave it to your taste entirely. Knowing
how perfect that is always"
This was safe thing for the gallant
major-to do, under most circumstances, as
he didn't know one flower from another
But tonight, Jessie, seized with q spirit
of mischief, arranged q little bunch of
marigolds, and pinning them to his coat,
bade him 20 ask Marie Burton the name of
his flowers, and they might serve him a
double purpose. The poor lnan was deep
ly smitten with young lady in the neigh
borhood, but being bashful, could never
muster up the courage TO propose to her.
Jessie thought she would help nim little.
Major Golde looked puzzled, and there
was a general laugh, in the midst of which
she heard Hazelton's voice saying softly
Il choose forget-me- -nots for mine, Miss
Conrad"
But Jessie pretended not to hear, and
exclaiming. 'Come, come, good people,
we are sadly forgetting Mrs Burton and
those delicious Strauss waltzes !" she
moved slowly toward the door,. singing
softly to herself.
Some time before, she had promised
Hazelton certain special dance for this
ball, but changed her mind afterward, and
was quite ready to ignore his claim. She
was just going off with some one else, when
he came to remind her oft, and she had a
saucy, half petulant answer on her lips,
when he said eagerly
Don't say you have forgotten these.
You must at least remember that this is my
last dance with YOU"
His face and tone were more earnest
than she had ever known them, and, half
against her will, she yielded AS soon as
the much disgusted young man to whom
Jessie made her excuses had taken himself
off, HaZeltoR said
1T is too warm to dance this evening;
will You come into the gardens with me in
steadf" and Jessie assented, much mar
Yelling at his sudden indifference to the
long promised German"
They strolled on for some minutes, talk
ing lightly and carelessly of Indifferent
subjects, until their path crossed pretty,
sparkling little stream, spanned by rustic
bridge The moonlight was floating all
things with soft radiance; streaming over
the golden hair, and deepening the lovely,
liquid eyes of the young girl. Jessie
looked like veritiable Undlne that night,
in her robes of pale green gauze, with the
jewels sparkling about her like drops of
purest water where they catch the rays of
light. Turning to one side Harry Hazel
ton arranged seat for her at the foot OF a
tree, and half reclining on the grass at her
feet, began throwing pebbles into the water.
Neither spoke for some time. for Jessie
did not understand this new mood of his,
and was occupied besides in trying to un-
derstand and quell the tumult of emotions