The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-08-10

brought her to the table, and exhibited
the most dutiful behavior toward her.
After the waltz Miss Grannis walked
on the veranda with the pathetic
young man. It was light night, the
moon seeming to walk the ocean with
thousand glittering footprints, and
time and scene had their effect on the
two young people. Other couples were
also promenading. Still, Miss Grannis
felt an aloneness with the pathetic
young man and decided now to sift and
cassifyhim. She said he seemed pensive.
He turned his luminous eyes toward
her and assured her he was always
little pensive when extremely satisfied.
This was a nice though ambiguous
beginning. But it gave her opportu.
nifty to ask if he was always satisfied,
for his usual expression was sad, she
thought.
"Yos," the pathetic young man re-
piled; "ne had as good reason as any
body to congratulate himself. Nobody
was quite happy"
This was rank heresy to Miss Grannis
| She said it was too dreadful to believe.
If people could not be very happy. life
would be uncomfortable
Mr.. Granger said life was pretty prosy
at times. Folks could jog through il,
though, if they weren't in a cramp for
money. He considered being in a
cramp for money the worst thing.
Miss Grannis secretly decided that he
had not much soul, or was fearfully
cynical. She felt certain hollowness
in her pathetic young man, or unsatis.
factory hatness, like the taste of squash
to her palate. Still, he might be veil
ing his inmost nature.
He sighed little, and admired her
fan. Within doors we're scores of women
sitting alung the wall, and no pathetic
young man leaned over them pouring
the mystic sadness of his eyes into their
sympathetic countenances. M SIS Gran
mis- was enjoying herself, when the wiry
old lady with light curls appeared in
the open window. quite near enough to
put her hand on Mr.. Granger's arm.
Remember your dyspepsia, Harry,
my love-" she remarked, in what Miss
Grannis considered detestable voice,
"and how cooling off suddenly after
exercise affects you"
The pathetic young man was suddenly
less expansive in his manner toward
Miss Gfannis, and replied to the mater.
nal admonition that be would take care.
Then he introduced the younger lady to
Mrs. Granger. Mrs. Granger was rather
acid. she reused belligerent feeling
in the girls bosom.
g. don't think it was very NICE
ruminated Miss Grannis, "to speak
about dyspepsia reminding people OF
their stomachs. She must be no end of
tussy, and not at all like what should
picture his mother. Ihsve great mind
to firt with him; it will torment her."
Revolving this unflial plan she re.
entered the room with Mr.. Granger,
and instantly plunged among the
couples who were executing one of
those new round dances composed OF
hippity-hops and slides, and during this
undignifed pastime she saw Mrs
Granger's eyes still following them
around the room,
At the end Of that dance her father
found her, and uttered his usual admo
milton about early hours.
"Just one more, pa" decided Miss
Grannis. CATER the next I'll have
(Which you certainly never need"
said the pathetic young man, giving
her look that seemed to melt warmly
over her.
They were moving to take their places
for this last dance, when he halted with
start. and said, despairingly; "That's
my wife again"
So he admitted the fact at last. He
was Mrs Granger's ex-husband, and she
must be in the room. Miss Grannis
swept her eye along the wall, and saw
the blonde artist chatting with gen.
tleman, but watching her.
"You appeared to ignore your wife
this morning." the young lady said,
severely, to the pathetic young man.
"You told me she was complete
stranger to you"
"Mr. Granger never ignores his wife,"
said voice in front of her. Miss Gran
mis- felt startled as she broueh eht her gaze
back to the elderly Mrs. Granger, again
bent on interrupting them.
"I'm sure haven't done anything to
her." thought the girl. "What makes
her so disagreeable? {? I'd be pathetic too
if had such spy of a mother"
"What did you mean, Harry" pur-
sued the elderly Mrs. Granger, in an
astringent tone, "by saying your wife
was q complete stranger to you?"
81 don't know" replied the pathetic
young nan, collapsing visibly.
81 know abont the separation" said
Miss Grannis, determined not to be put
down by this warlike old woman, and
| lookin0 bar dc n ,nrlv in tho ova ssyUbr
should you want to conceal it ?"
The elder lady's mouth drew inward
with a convulsive twitch. She grew
sallower under her cosmetics. But
putting her hand within the pathetic
young mans free arm, she spoke with
low and guarded emphasis:
"We are not separated yet, and
don't think we shall be-by the most
brazen of flirts-while my husband
knows his own advantage. If you will
excuse my husband now, We shall have
the pleasure OF wlshingyo goodnight
The elderly Mrs. Granger then moved
away with her pathetic young man.
Miss Grannis soon after felt young
Mrs. Granger take her arm and wall
her toward the veranda. But the girl
paused in the hall.
81 know Just what has happened,
said the artist, suppressing laughter
"They say she is as jealous as can be
and makes constant scenes. It's wha
he deserves for marrying her money"
81 thought she was his mother" sale
Miss Grannis, out OF her stupefaction
"How many wives has he, pray?"
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