The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-12-21
MRS. OHALLONER'S DANCE,

MRS. UHAILUNhh DANUE.
Mrs. Challoner is a woman who does
everything in the world-her small part
of it, that is to say-by fits and starts,
and her own caprice.
AS she stands outside the old farm
house gazing thoughtfully through one
of the kitchen windows, she half de-
cides to turn back and never disturb
Rose Escott's quiet, but happy life.
Unconaciously Rose decides her own
fate. There floats through the open
window quick, merry ditty, in an ex-
quisite soprano voice. That voice scat
ters Mrs. Challoner's indecision to the
winds.
at would be pity" she thinks, alb
negating all responsibility, as is her
wont, ''if a girl like that could never
have a chance to see a little of life"
Then she steps up to the window and
looks in. Rose is pairing apples. A
| dainty girl, with fair, straight features,
an arch, smiling mouth, and eyes with
the velvet blue lustre of pansies. AS she
works, she sings little bits of the love-
ditty have mentioned before. She is
all-unaware that she has an admiring
auditor and looker-on.
Mrs. Challoner had taken great
fancy to the girl. l doubt if she would
have noticed her at all, however, if it
had not been for Roses voice and fresh
young beauty. There had been house
full of visitors at the Grange, lately, and
Mrs. Challoner had been obliged to call
on Farmer Escott for cream, butter and
fruit.
1t was on one of these expeditions
that she first saw Rose.
At last Mrs. Challoner taps softly
with the ivory handle of her fan on the
window-sill, and pulling aside cling
ing vine, looks smilingly in at her young
prOtege.
Rose looks quickly up, half-startled.
When she sees it is Mrs. Challoner, she
smiles back, and comes eagerly for
ward.
She likes Mrs. Challoner very much,
and is not little proud that she should
be chosen as the friend of such q styl-
ish, aristocratic lady.
"Won't you come IMP"
''Thank you--no; it's too delicious
out here among your old-fashioned
fower-beds! And, then, must 60. 1
am going to give carpet-daEce to-
night. Will you Gomez"
That Rose is pleased with the invita-
ton there can be no doubt. The pansy-
blue eyes shine, while a quick blush
rises to her fair face.
Then it is settled" says Mrs. Chal-
loner, seeing the delight in Roses face,
though she has said nothing. Try to
look your best. child, and you will take
all the mems hearts by storm. Good
byeH'
Mrs. Challoner has scarcely gone,
when Tom Haines knocks and enters, a
slight frown on his sunny face.
He is tall, sun-browned young fel-
low, with clear, grey eyes; not very
handsome, certainly, but with an all
about him that is honest and true.
Il wish you and that woman weren't
such great friends" he says, abruptly,
standing tall and straight before Rose,
displeased expression in his gray eyes.
Rose is not working now; her fair,
white hands are folded idly in her lap,
and she is staring straight before her, a
thoughtful, dreamy expression on he1
face.
The sight irritates Tom; he is angry
with Mrs. Challoner for putting mo-
tions'' into the girls head. His voice
is sharper than he had meant it to be.
"Why?" said Rose, looking quickly
up.
There is a rebellious ring in her voice,
which Tom does not see fit to notice.
"Companionship with Mrs. Challonel
and her visitors will only make you dis
satisfied with your own condition in
life. They are above you socially
and
Tom stopped.
"Wky don't you go on?" says Rose,
passionately. f:You were about to say
that they are above me socially and in.
tellectually! Here is the ring that you
gave mer' tearing it from her finger
and tossing It haughtily towardshim. 81
will meyer marry a man who thinks me
below other people, both in regard to
intellect and social standing"
Rose, you know l didn't mean that, :"
says Tom, hurriedly and pleadingly.
pardon me, but know nothing of
the kind" says Rose, freezingly. ''And
really, Mr., Haines'' s''-hiding her heart
pain beneath the smile women know so
we'll how to assume-''I don't wish tc
appear rude, butt am going to a car
pet-dance at the Grange, tonight, and
| have considerable work to do before
that time"
81 suppose Mrs. Challoner's brother
will be there?' sneers Tom, thoroughly
aroused again at mention of the party,
and knowing that he has been given his
congo.
'Mr. Palmer will probably be there,'
says Rose, a faint flush stealing to hel
| face.
With muttered imprecation Tom
| turns on his heel, and strides out of tn.
room.
Women are all false and tickle to the
core, he thinks bitterly. Every new face
has power to charm them, if it be only
handsome, no matter how black the
soul it masks. Well, he has invested
Rose with an ideal character, not be-
longing to other women, and he has
found out his mistake-that is all.
All of which is very untrue and very
unjust of Tom. He is jealous without
q cause, as Mr.. Palmer is utterly indif-
ferent to Rose, who, if he did but know
it, is even now crying herself sick be-
cause of their quarrel. But her wound
ed woman's pride sustains her, and
when evening comes she is gay even to
recklessness. There is an exquisite
flush on the fair face, and the pansy-
blue eyes are shining.
Mrs. Challoner comes for her in her
carriage. Her face lights up at the
sight of the fair vision before her.
You look like daughter of the
gods" she says, delighted. ''You will
be the belle of the evening, ma chere. !"