The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-03-23

" Elsie, what q fool am ]" cried the
boy, ready to kiss her white-slippered
feet in his revulsion of feeling. "Have
really been hanging about here like a
tramp, and forgotten that? ?"
" You really have, Harry" replied
the little belle of the evening. " You
have neglected me shamefully, and l
feel dreadfully about it. Now to atone,
don't let us dance at all, but just sit
down and rest" Then noticing look
of blank disappointment, she added
quickly, cor rather let us have sh ort
walk, and then go and hide somewhere
and have some coffee-if mamma isn't
looking, that is"
so we WILL" said delighted Harry.
d" L know of a capital seat-on the south
piazza"
Anywhere elsel" cried Elsie. ct
hate that piazza. never want to see it
again"
That's a good one, when you've
been there half the evening with that
parsonl Did he bore you so dreadfully,
poor little Elsie? always knew he
was prig."
Mamma likes him, responded Elsie
demurely. "And SO do lin the
pulpit"
The two children-for they were lit
tie more-enjoyed their walk, and then
sought a refuge behind the curtains OF
the deep bay window in the hall. Elsie
sank back on the cushioned seat with
a sigh OF fatigue, too weary for more
than half attention to Harry's talk. He
was paying her outrageous compliments,
she vaguely thought, but she was used
to Harry's nonsense, and she idly picked
his bouquet TO pieces while meditalirg
on her late extraordinary interview with
Cyril Forsythe. Suddenly she came to
herself; Harry had taken her hand
When? She didn't remember. Had
she been half asleep? He was say.
ing, in a strangely agitated voice:
81 know they will al say we are too
1t is lovely to begin young, to spend
our Whole lives together; aid am al
most ready for college, and after that l
shall step right into the business, and
very soon there vii be plenty for us
both to live on"
Elsie star9d. "\7by, Harry, I don't
understand you. What are you contid
ing to me2 1t soun..s like love affair.
Who is the devoted damsel who is to
Uait till you get through college, and
have something to live upon ?"
Elsie," cried the mortified Harry,
"you are perfectly unfeeling."
Pm not unfeeling bit. But really
and truly, who is it? You haven't told
me her name"
81 thought you understood me-"
hmm III
g You looked so pleasant, and never
said word to stop me. OF course you
know that never cared button for
any girl in the world except you, I've
been waiting over so long tor the right
time to speak, and tonight you looked
so stunning somehow, and SO kind -
Now, pathetically-" don't
tease me any longer, but tell me that
you will"
VIII what ?"
"Wait for me- care about me, r1arry
me some day." blurted out the luc aless
lover, appalled, at her changed look.
Harry Blount," said Elsie. awfully,
rising in majesty to the full height OF
her five feet two, 81 never was treated
so in my life. You have all conspired
to make me perfectly miserable at my
first ball" Her bosom began to heave.
"If you say another word OF the kind
Iii never speak toyou again." and with
blazing eyes she swept away, leaving
her boy-lover crushed in a heap behind
the curtains, and wondering whether
moose or poison were the speediest way
Of getting rid of his wretched ex-
istence.
After this the evening was o weari
ness, but supper came at last, and fol-
lowing supper the german. Here
things took on a brighter aspect. 1t
was impossible not to enjoy dancing
with such partner as Major Strange,
hero of all the girls of the neighbor-
hood, and when, at its close, Elsie, q
bewitching paper cap on her pretty
head, little flags and ribbons futtering
from various parts of her dress, and her
arms laden with flowers, stood exchang
ing gay good nights with the departing
guests, she was ready to allow that life
was not all burden or balls failure
and that being grown-up young lady
though it might have its drawbacks
had also its advantages and indisputa
BILE joys.
La the midst of her contentment
however she became aware of IN
lowering outside the door, a face @
mute, reproachful wretchedness, an(
her heart smote her. Slipping from
mammals side, she made her way t,
| poor Harry, and put out her hand.
"Do forgive me, Harry" she whis
, pered. 81 was perfectly horrid, anC
= an ashamed of myself; but you dom
} know how much had to vex me thi
J evening. Shake hands, and let us b.
, friends again, just as we used"
Under the gentle pleading eye
Harry's rancor and misery melted in
, moment, and "hope sprang eternal" il
: his breast, for "just as we used
meant great deal more to him than t
. Elsie. He nearly crushed the smal
, peace-m making hand in his vigorou
grasp, and Elsie went back smiling an
! relieved, only to meet another hand,
7 terribly expressive pressure, pair c
eyes bent upon her from an immens
? height, and to hear the fervent murmul
To o.morrow, early tomorrow, 1 shal
see you. Till then good by, and Go
bless you, Elsie, my best treasure II
= Elsie grew white as a ghost. Really
Was tomorrow really to bring thi
| dreadful fate upon ber? Had sh
) promised without knowing it? Coul
3 nothing save her?
4 "Elsiel Elsie I' cried somebod,
and Elsie few like the wind out OF th
. room. She had no courage left to fac
eyes and questions. "Where on cart
2 can the child be % uueried Mr.