Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-09-07
MISS STOCKTON.

Miss stockton was twenty-tour. Quite
an old maid, the gushing debutantes of
first season remarked, and really should
be content to sit ba elk with the dowagers.
1t was too bad, and wholly selfish, that
she should continue to be such mon
opolis'
But not even those most DESTROYS of
undertaking her charms could deny
4 that, let her enter a ballroom when she
would, little throng seemed always
waiting 10 surround her, and within
five minutes no spare space large
enough to wedge in single initial
could be discovered upon her pro-
gramme.
"Why did she not marry" the world
asked, and would have given her the
best pa,ti upon its list right willingly,
that at least she might be placed with
others, hrs de combat.
During this season Of 81, there was
little or no difference of opinion as TO
the name, at least, of this conquering
nero. Whether he would conquer is
different matter.
Dick Greenville posed every attri-
butte to gain favor IN a woman's eyes.
He was but thirty-four possessed of a
handsome face, a superb physique, and
a liberal fortune. Moreover, a certain
element of the mysterious was connect
ed with him.
Ten years previously he had spent
one summer idly yachting on the coast
of Maine. In the fall he had reappear-
ed, for six months, then reappeared
again, only to announce his intention
of an indefinite stay abroad.
There were some who limited at a
love-afair, but no one could speak with
any degree of assurance, and when the
world had almost forgotten his exist
esce, he suddenly walked into Fashions
drawir Q rooms as nonchalantly and
indfferently as though he bad walked
out of them the day before.
But great changes has taken place
in these ten years. One, which he was
soonest to recognize, was the fact that
that the young girls he had formerly
know had become matrons, and the
the children he had kissed now bowed
him a stately welcome, and extended
to him the tips of their gloved fingers,
as became their maturer years.
Among the latter was Bell Stockton
She had given promise Of rare beauty
even at thirteen, when he had bent to
kiss goodby her quiyering lips saying
playfully;
Remember Bel, you are to wait for
me.
To which she, with grave seriousness,
had replied:
II will remember"
In the glitter Of gaslight, with the
sound Of the last waltz floating through
the flower-scentcd air, and with the
murmur of many voices miEgling with
the rustic of satin and silk, the two
met again.
She knew him instantly, aud a smile
like sunshine broke over her face, as
she took one step to meet him, heed
less of the little crowd about her, hold
ing out both hands TO welcome him.
Her he would not have recognized, but
that her wonderful beauty lad made
MIN put the question as to VINO she
was: but he wondered now that he had
neeG to ask.
Can it be little Bell?" he said, hold
ing in his the hands she had given
him. And no one yet has captured
the pri2e?"
No one" she replied, deep Grim
son blush rising to her cheek.
"Nou have not forgotten me-? he
asked again.
Forgotten you? MOI she answered,
simply.
And something in her eyes told him
the words were not meaningless.
MAY | come and see you to.mor-
row.
Il shall be al home at twelve"
Then her partner of the hour claim
ed her, and she was borne away from
MIN. Only once again he approached
He had as yet danced with no one, but
he came 10 ask her for the last waltz
at is promised" she said, "but l
Will give you the latter half. y i'll you
accept so meagre an otiering?'
9 From your hands, he answered,
all gifts are royal"
Really, it looked as if Bell Stockton
would not find crooked stick, after
al, dec AIRED the world, as they watch
co those two moving in perfect har-
mony 10 the music, her exquisite form
enclrcled by his strong arm, which
guided her so dexteronsly through the
rooms. But the girl il such a hirt.
They say She refused title last year"
They did not know, this censorious
world, that she had said she would wait
for him, and sealed her promise with a
kiss.
But she remembered it, as in the
gray of the morning, having dismissed
ner maid, she sat gazing dreamily into
the fire, her hands locked listlessly
upon her lap, and her eyes and lips
together smiling.
Yesterday, she had not dreamed Of
the JOY in store for her yesterday, she
mad not known but that an ocean and
leagues of land still lay between them.