Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-06-26

I iianeuo ways, ndQ apparently taken pos
session of him. It had been an unusually
lively winter, for Mrs. Hazleton's dancing
school had been we'll patronized by both
old and young, and the Tuesday and Thurs
day night "sociables,' as she termed the
throwing open of her doors to the general
lpublic of those two evenings each week,
between the hours of 8 and II, had insured
the success and popularity of her school
for the public is always fond of dancing if
some one else will only pay the fiddler.
Miss Mercy was regular attendant, not
so much because she was fond of dancing
as because John was sure to be there, and
he was invariably attentive and kind. Not
more so to her than to the sprightly little
linstructress, who laughed and chatted gay
ly and seemed to take his attentions quite
! az a matter of course. But sometimes he
would invite Miss Mercy to dance, and
then request her to sit in some quiet corner
instead and talk to him, and the bushes
would mount to her cheeks and her heart
would throb with delight, which would
suddenly deepen to pain when he would
leave her afterward and walk off with the
widow hanging foundly on his arm.
All, John, capricious John Do you not
know there is cruelty in such kindness?
st. Valentine 'sday was approaching and it
was known that the young man was to start
for his Western home the day following.
The little village was in a constant state of
half-subdued excitement, for Mr.. and Mrs
Turner, old friends of Johns father, were
to have large party ON that night in or
der to give the young fellow good send off,
and no end of conjectures arose as to wheth-
er it might not be wedding after all. No
body was prepared to say that trousseau
| lyryoC or llyy in Of II
though it was limited that Mrs. Hazleton
was having a'lovely new dress made, pur-
chased with the proceeds of her last quar-
ter's salary. 1t was understood he was to
bring the widow to the party, however, and
the older women thought ruefully of the
long five-mile drive. What chance for
him to propose to her on the way, even if
he hadn't done so already.
The long-looked-fo night at length ar
rived, and at an early hour the great old
house was ablaze with light from garret to
cellar, while the merry tinkle of sleigh-bells
without announced the arrival of the first
of the guests for in good old-fashioned
towns, and with old fashioned country peo-
ple parties assemble as soon after supper,
or early candle-ight as convenient. Miss
Mercy, an especial friend and favorite of
the hostess, came in time to assist the ar
rangements Of the table, making herself
useful in such variety of ways, but in so
quiet and unobstrusive manner that Mrs.
Turner, who at this crisis was in highly
nervous and distraught state, declared she
could ''never have got along without her
| never" The little woman looked unusual
| ly pretty in her black silk dress, with a
bunch of straw-colored chrysanthemums at
her throat and another in her glossy black
hair.
Mrs. Hazleton and John were the last to
arrive, the former flushed and radiant from
the long drive in the frosty evening air.
and looking like an old-fashioned picture
just stepped out of it's frame, in her pale
blue silk dress cut square in the neck, her
fair hair done high on top of her head in a
mass of bewildering curls, and her plump
white arms but partially concealed by a
fall of filmy lace.
John was in high spirits, escorting her
out to supper, and afterward returning to
the parlor for Miss Mercy. He finished the
evening with old Mrs. Turner. sitting by
her side and waiting upon her with ready
good humor. After supper ''the mirth and
fun grew fast and furious" and John be-
came the target for many a lively sally.
'Why don't you get married, John, my
boy ~ asked jolly Captain McAllister, Civ
ing him sly poke in the ribs 81 thought
you'd come home for a wife,
"That is exactly what I should like to
know, captain" echoed lady standing
near 'I have come to the conclusion Mr..
Lockwood is an unmitigated swindle He
made US believe we should dance at his
wedding but has never given us a chance
What's the matter, John? Won't the
party or parties, whichever it is (for ON my
soul can't make Out), have you-or are
you in strait betwixt the two? Can't you
make up your mind which one you want ?''
The young man laughed good-naturedly
as he replied:
81 expect you've hit the nail on the head
this time, captain. fear am somewhat
in the position of the party who originated
the lines beginning:
How happy could be with either.
Were tother dear charmer away"
The captain roared vociferously
'Bless my heart, is that the case? And
so you can't decide! Why, hang it, man,
if were you I think I'd find way out of
it, even if had to draw CUTS"
''The very thing" exclaimed chorus of
voices. 'Draw cuts, John-do draw cuts,
it will be such fun, and see whicf>it shall
be-the old love or the new.'
perturbable GOODNESS as he replied in his
usual careless tone:
'sIf the ladies have no objections I'm sure
have none"
"And will you abide by the decision and
really marry whichever falls to your lot ?''
"Unquestionably, if she will have me-"
The two ladies were sought for and found;
one in the library, the other in the dancing
room.
''Oh, Mrs. Hazleton, Miss Mercy" the
young ladies exclaimed as they led them
back to the room where little crowd had
collected, ''Mr. Lockwood is going to draw
cuts for wife, and the choice lies between
you two. Oh, won't it be fun?''
''Fun for the one who gets him." said
the widow, laughing lightly. While Miss
Mercy exclaimed, impetuously: "Draw
cuts-John Lockwood draw cuts for a
wife-how dare he do it ?''
81 think it would be pretty, perhaps, to
have the ladies draw" said Captain Meal
lister, searching in his pocke5book for a
slip of paper to cut into slips; ''then they
couldn't accuse Lockwood of unfairness or
partiality. What do you say, John; have
you any objections ?"
Mot the least in the world" said the
young man, unconcernedly-''any way to
suit yourselves"
| The slips were cut and the captain ar
ranged them in his hand. One long one
marked "prize," and the others short and
blanks. Now, ladies'" said the captain,
fare you ready?"
Miss Mercy had a severe struggle with
her heart before she could bring herself to
consent. Mrs. Hazelton had not thought
of refusing, and why should she hold back !?
Must she resign John now, at once, forever,
or should she make one last effort to retain
him? Her cheeks burned with excitement,
and her hand trembled so she could scarcely
put it out.
"Ready," said the captain once again,
smiling benignly at the two ladies as their
hands were simultaneously extended.
The crowd held their breath while the
choice was being made, then-"Miss Mercy
has got it! Miss Mercy has got it - was
shouted on all sides.
Mrs Hazleton turned away with height
ened color. "What nonsense" she ex-