Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-03-02


came me and my steps became irregu-
lar /; all Of which the splendid music
that just then struck up had no tenden-
cy to remove.
"At last We were seated, and still Z
appeared to me as if the whole party
we're scrutinizing us, and 1 felt uneasy,
not knowing where to look to avoid
their glances. An occasional stolen
glance at my partner revealed to me q
blush on her cheek, which indicated at
least a slight embarrassment on her part,
and which ! at once attributed to sorae
awkward motion of mine, the direct re-
suit of my unconquerable bashfulness.
If could have sat there the entire
evening without moving, it would have
been greater pleasure than to get up
among all the people of the city and
expose myself in blundering dance.
You see, while I was exceedingly bash
full, had no confidence in myself. In
the dancing school I 3uld beat all the
boys, but to get up right there for the
first time in my Life at grand soiree,
with partner of my own. was too
momentous for an unsophisticated
young man, as 1 was +; but / did. A
waltz was announced, and L led Anna
upon the floor, and, before the music
began, we promenaded as the other
dancers did. This familiarized me with
the floor and the gayety of the sur
roundings. 1 noticed the gorgeous
trails, the elaborate coifures, and, in
fact, the general fashionable appearance
of the promenaders before me, and l
thought that Anna, who, when I called
for her, looked to me beautifully at
tired, was now clad quite plainly COM
pared with the other ladies. Her dress
seemed to set well upon her, her hair
was done up neatly. but yet how much
more elegant were the rest Of the ladies.
This augmented my difidence, and to
still more heighten my embarrassment
during the dance which followed, and
through which 1 worried the best /
could, Harry Black stepped up to me
and whispered in my car
sTom, take care of those red rib
bcns."
I looked at Anna and saw, for the
first time, that she had about her neck
red ribbon. had not noticed it be-
fore, and if had. it would have seemed
all right; but Ha remark, which
thought was tinct.1ed with little sar-
casm, confused my better Judgment, and
the red ribbon became to me the most re-
markable part of Annals toilet. It did not
look uncomely in my eyes yet, if Harry
had noticed it and found occasion to
make sport fit, it must look out ofplace
to others. looked about the room and
could not see another red ribbon among
all the lady dancers. 1t must look
awfully out of taste. What induced Anna
to adorn herself SO unfashionably ? I
thought. But / never stopped to think
that it might have been the custom in
the country from whence she came.
At any rate, this discovery, In addition
to my former embarrassment, made me
still more miserable. I danced only
twice after that, for the red ribbon Of
my partner constantly Haunted before
me, and, as she was stranger in the
city, no one else offered to dance with
her. An early hour, therefore, saw me
taking leave Of her at the doorstep of
her residence.
"'Would / call again Y In my stupid
embarrassment answered mechanical
sYes,' which I really did not mean. As
much as / even then felt that I loved
her, the unfortunate termination of our
ball attendance. with those red ribbons,
so completely abashed me that dared
not call. I was foolish boy, unworthy
her affections. knew and felt that.
The next day my comrades had much to
say about the party and about the red
ribbons, and that but added more fuel
to my embarrassment, and, as this jest
ing continued from day to day, the
boys perceiving that it annoyed me, I
determined to leave Madison.
1.-THE last Sunday was there l at
tended the Episcopal Church. Before
the services began Anna came in also.
A pang shot through me as if l were
the greatest living culprit, and she was
to be my executioner; and fear that I
was anything but devout listener that
evening. After service was one of the
first out Of the church.. and making
my way leisurely homeward through the
Capitol grounds. It was beautiful
summer moonlight evening, just cool
and pleasant enough for astroll through
the park and while ! was mentally re-
solving that would walk fast to escape
meeting Anna, something seemed to
retard my steps, and think I did not
walk SO fast after all, for ! had but just
entered the gate when she was just be-
hind me, and her sweet, musical voice
greeting me with. Good evening".
81 was caught, willing or unwilling,
as you may take it. She accepted my
arm and we wandered long in the broad
paths under the grand old native oak
trees /; and talked of much-frst with
no little hesitancy but, finally, under
the inspiration Of the charming spot,
we became more fluent and more agree
able, until our conversation reached its