Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1883-02-14
MRS. CHALLONER'S DANCE.

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.
Unconsciously Rose decides her own
fate. There floats through the open
window a quick, merry dtty. in an ex-
quisite soprano voice. That voice scat
ters Mrs. Challoner's indecision to the
winds. 1 ''
ut would be pity" she thinks, abb
negating all responsibility, as is her
wont, .'if girl like that could never
have 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 pa0sies. 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 iooker-on.
Mrs. Chaloner had taken great
have noticed her at all. however, if it
had not been for Roses voice and fresh
young beauty. There had been u house
-fnl 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 il is Mrs. Chailoner, she
smiles back, ald comes eagerly for
ward. Il 4gfz
She likes Mrs. Challoner very much,
and is not a little proud that she should
be chosen as the friend OF such u styl-
ish, arstocra,ic lady.
''Won't you come IMP"
''Thank you-no; it's too delicious
out here among your old-fashioncd
ilower-beds! And. then. must 90. |
am goiag to give a carpet-dance to-
night. Will YOU come?h 4
That Rose is pleased with the invita-
ton there can be no doubt. The pansy-
blue eyes shine, while 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 "Trv 10
look your best, child, and you will take
all the mems hearts by storm. Good
byer'
Mrs. Challoncr has scarcely gone.
when Tom Haines knocks and enters, a
slight frown on his sunny face.
He is a tall, san-browned yonng fel-
low. with clear, grey eyes; not very
handsome, certainly, but with an air
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 her
face.
The. sight irritates Tom; he is angry
with Mrs. Cbal!oner for putting mo
TONS into the girls head. His voice
/ is sharper than he had meant it to be.
"Why?" said Rose, looking quickly
up.
There is rebellious ring in her voice,
which Tom does not see Tit to notice.
"Companionship with Mrs. Challoner
and her visitors will only make you dis.
satisfied with your own condition in
life. They are above you socially
and"
Tom stopped.
"Why don't you go onpn says Rose,
passonately. ''You were about to say
that they are above mc socially and in
tellcctually! Here is the ring that you
gave met, tearing it from her finger
aud tossing it haughtily towardshim. Il
will never marry man who thinks me
below other people, both in regard to
intellect and social Standing"
..Rose, you know l didn't mean that"
saws Tom, hurriedly and pleadingly.
| pardon me. hut know nothing of
the kind" SAYS Rose, freezingly. And
really, Mr., Haines'' hiding her heart
pain beneath the smile women know SO
well how to assume-.'l don't wish to
appear rude, butt am going to a car
pet-dance at the Grange. tonight, and
have considerable work to do before
that time" '
II suppose Mrs. aChalioner's brotbe,
/ will be therep' sneers Tom. thoroughly
aroused again at mention Of the party,
and knowing that, he has been given his
congo. N z
| .Mr. Palmer will probably be there.''
saws Rose, u faint flush stealing to he1
face.
With q impreea.ion Tom
turns ON his heel aud strides out OF tho
j sOoms ~ 8&&
! Women are $all false and ficlle to the
core. he thinks bitterly. Every new face
has power to charm them, if il be onl,
handsome, no matter h.w black the
soulit masks. Well, he has invested
Rose with an ideal character, not be.
longing to other women. and he hal
found out his mistake that is all.
/ All of which is very untrue and vcr,
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 he
cause, of their quarrel But her wound
ed woman 8 pride sastsins her. ant
when evening comes she is gay even t.
r4cklessness. There is an exquisite
| fWt on the fair face, and the pansy-
blue eyes are shining.
Mrs. Chall0ner comes for her in hel
carria1e. Her face lights up 1t th,