Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-09-21

weired, enhancing strains Of the now
old fashioned "Manola." AS a rule
young ladies were wont TO declare, as
they nestled in his arms in ecstatic APP
probation of his perfect time and step,
that they could go on forever.
what is the matter" he inquired.
Excuse mo-" said Miss Archer, 81
think | would prefer to sit down. The
fact is II fancied from your manner
that you could dance"
Young Creme glanced at her in I'M
affected amazcment. Of course she was
chatting, was his first reflection. But
the serious look upon her face brought
an expression of embarrassment to his
own.
"You move WE'LL" continued Miss
Archer, gravely, "but you have no
soul You are as solemn over it as a
mute at a funeral. True appreciation
of dancing means real enjoyment.
That gentleman's soul is in his present
occupation. am looking forward to
a dance with him."
Reginald Greene glanced contempt
uously at the gentleman referred to,
who was pounding around the room in
state of profuse perspiration, his face
beaming with the keenest pleasure.
He happened to be slight acquaint-
ance Of Greme's; rising young bar
rister named Watson, one of the most
execrable dancers in London.
81 should pity his partner if she were
not so admirably suited TO him" said
Creme, aippantly, as he recognized
the young debutante whom he had
rudely ignored.
"She is extremely pretty" replied
Miss Archer. "Her experience adds
to Mr.. Watson's enjoyment, for he
knows that in dancing with her he is
obliging our kind hostess, who express
ly introduced him to her."
From this remark Crane guessed
that Miss Archer had witnessed his
own behavior to the young lady in
question, and felt very foolish.
"Give me another trial." he said,
with some embarrassment, "and per
haps you will discover that | am not
so soulless as you imagine"
81 would rather not, if you will ex-
cuse'm me-" said Miss Archer, hanging
back. "The fact isl am very sorry
but the smell of stale tobacco in a ball
room STILES me-"
Creme Redeemed to the eyes at this
rebuke. 81 suppose | ought to apollo
gize. TO tell you the truth, | wasn't
sure / should come here tonight" he
said rather lamely.
"Neither was our hostess. She was
mentioning at dinner to-day that she
had no answer from you. ] suppose
the letter miscarred," observed Miss
Archer.
"No, didn't answer" replied Gtene,
in desperation.
''Ihen it was really sheer rudeness,"
said Miss Archer, fixing her eyes upon
him with an expression which made
him feel uncomfortable. Glow very
extraordinary. | didn't know that
gentlemen ever behaved So"
BY this time Reginald Crane had
not unnaturally arrived at the conclu-
sion that Miss Archer was an extreme
ly d;sagreeable young lady, and he was
therefore glad to resign her to Mr..
Watson, who came up to claim the
next dance. But the alacrity with
which she went off with her new part
ner filled him with annoyance. The
truth was that for the first time in his
life young Greene had been smitten
with genuine passion, and though he
was at the moment unconscious Of the
fact, it made itself felt in the keen hui
initiation he experienced at the treat
ment he had received. He left the
ball Immediately in deep disgust, feeling
much less satisfied with himself than
usual.
The recollection Of that evening
ranked in young Grrme's mind, for
he could not hel p entertaining an I'M
comfortable suspicion that Miss Arch
met the young lady rather frequently
during the next few months, and, owing
to his increasing admiration for her, he
began unconsciously to mend his ways;
but, though they became very good
friends, he could never understand the
self-sacriticing spirit which prompted
her to submit herself to clumsy part
ners, and he conceived deadly aver
sion to Mr., Watson, who was treated
with marked kindness. A looker-on
would have fancled that Reginald him
self had nothing to complain of on this
score, as Miss Archer manifested
tiattering regard for him; and, in spite
OF her severe criticisms, young Greene
sometimes imagined that he had sue
ceeded IN gaining her love,
But this pleasant delusion was rude
ly disputed by the announcement of
the young lady's engagement to Mr..
Watson. foor Greene heard the fatal
news under exceptionally disagreeable
circumstances. He had gone to an
afternoon cat home" in ignorance OF
the event, for the express purpose of
meeting Miss Archer. The hostess
a,ked him to sing, for Reginald Creme
had remarkable good voice, and,
though not skilled musician, could
acquit himself very creditably. After
going through the usual series of ex-
cuses and protestations he at length
consented, but only upon one condition
that Miss Archer would play the &C.
compartment. Ridiculous rs it may
appear, the young man always made
n nF s,,n,,r, Il