The Penn's Grove record., 1884-02-02

s-agsf into the barn dashed Daisy,
asusAln every limb, and Mary
slipped o Hacr IN an aponv of
saane Aood before the very man
WHOM q ID ether she would not have
eea nov.
Tae Judge val divided between
amusement and pity for his child, and
astonishment aud anger at her usage Of
Daisy.
You may go, Mary" " he said grave
ly. u will talk with you by-and-by.' -
Mary few past him, and Leslie, meet
ing his hosts eyes, smiled a little ire
sistible smile of amusement, and then
both the gentlemen broke INTO hearty
ringing laugh. the echo Of which
reached Mary's ears, as under the big
oak trees behind the house she crouehed
in the grass, sobblng distressfullv.
"No wonder he laughs She said,
With burning cheeks; well he may''
The sun went down behind the wes-
tern hills. and still Mary fingered there,
dreading to enter the house.
Presently there came borne on the
breeze the scent Of a cigar.
She heard Leslie's clear tenor hum
ming a snatch from The Bohemian
Girl" and he paused beside her.
She sprang to her feet. and looked at
him defantly. and then turned away
with q~uivering lips and fearful eyes.
He made some Indifferent remark
about the weather. bnt Mary was too
far gone 70 recover herself. and burst
out passionately-
81 don't know what you can think
Of me. Mr.. Granville"
II think very well Of you, little
friend. DO not distress yourself 50, !
beg. Come. cheer up, You forget
that tonight is the party; and you are
to waltz with me, you know"
But Mary was deep in another storm
of tears, and shook her head in despair.
u do not think they will allow me
to go into the parlors tonight Just for
this. I am always doing something
dreadful; and when CecI! WAS Of my
age she was just as graceful and lovely
as she IS now"
Leslie smiled rather peculiarly as he
smoothed Mary's disheyslled hair.
sUndoubtedly." was his comment.
"And, Mary, I am sure that you viii
some day be graceful and lovely your
self. Already I know you for q warm
hearted little girl, whose greatest fault
is her impulsiyeness. There IS the tea
belll Now wipe away those tears and
let US go in"
That evening, while smiling groups
were gathered in the great p%arlors, and
the band throbbed out the melodious
pain of a passionate German waltz.
Mary wandered about the passages Ike
: an uneasy spirit, dreading to 90 among
/ the guests, yet longing 50 much to have
! that waltz with Leslie.
She was dressed, as becoming to her
youth, in white muslin; with loosened
hair waving over her shoulders, and
only held back from her face by a band
of scarlet satin.
She had at first rebelled at Ceei's
command that she should wear gloves;
but Mrs. Claremont came to the rescue,
and declared that unless Mary would
consent to be dressed properly, she
should stay in her own room all the
evening,
-1my yielded with a sigh, and
drew a pair of four-buttoned white kids
over her brown hands, which after all
were small and delicately shaped, and
upon the whole, the child looked re-
markedly well.
In the course of the evening, Leslie
caught sight of her, and before long he
was by her side, smiling approval at her
appearance.
"Now, mademoiselle, " he said, giving
A6A MS COuI klHSSt bOMf VII JH'A AHfcA
me with this waltz"
Mary gave a confused assent, and he
led her into the room.
Together they swung into the
graceful step.
On and on.
Mary is transported into e seventh
heaven of delight.
Awkward and hoydenis were her
ordinary manners, she - graceful
enough now-lght and FIRE , as the air
aud Leslie experienced a real regret
when at last the music ceased.
He led her out upon the veranda.
MARY he said, you are the most
delightful partner that I ever waited
with"
Mary laughed.
"Ah, thank you; l love to dance.
The music makes me forget every
thing"
He pressed slightly the slender gloved
hand on his arm.
Il would not like to have you forget
me, Mary"
She was silent.
do you think you willg" he per-
sisted. because If you do l would
1 -