The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-07-17

green. She motioned me to sit beside
her. and spoke sw,etly. How quickly
you returned,' she said. Compliments
and small talk, remembered, were my
instruct ons. Would you have had me
stay much longerY asked, lowering
my voice TO q soft reprosch.
"'You should not ask such q foolish
question: she answered, and tasted this
ice in delicate, pensive fashion. Pres
emily she darted shy, half knowing
glance up at my face. 'Rosalysr she
queried. imp asked. to make time.
What about RosaAys?' she repeated.
Can you ask 2 said. deprecating the
question merely because didn't know
anything else to do. Who or what was
hosalys? Yes she persisted, softly,
Il can ask. Because she is angry with
me for-absorbing you. as / suppose I
have done this evening. Or-as--as
you have me- Her hesitation was
very pretty. she may be angry If she
choose said, carelessly.
"Miss Ritchie tapped my arm with
her fan. 'FieP she cried; do you
fancy the rumor has not reached me ?
What rumor?' l asked, innocently.
why, the rumor of your engagement,
of course. 1t is true, is it notY Now.
who could have told you such a thing p
no matter. Do you hear the music? 1t
is our valse.
IL rose and offered her my arm, and
we were soon reascending to the ball
room. Mr.. Herbert had been flirting
with the lady, was quite certain. And
Rosalys was his affianced, and objected.
He was, perhaps, DESTROYS of conciliat-
ing her and had chosen this time. /
led her boldly into the dazzling light of
the ballroom, and we essayed to join
the giddy whirl. We got on bravely
together. As we paused to promenade,
she whispered softly, L never knew
you to dance better One ought al
ways to dance well with you 1 hazard
ed. Better than with RosalysY why
name Rosalys?' 1 said, indifierently.
my lady glanced sharply about the
room. L believe she has gone. do
not see her anywhere she said Do
you?' NO. said. But you are not
looking L am looking at you, said /,
fervently.
| uhet
Pray tell me the remainder of that
story What story do you refer to 2
why the one you were telling me be-
fore we went to the conservatory. Did
they go to Newport Had 1 told you
as far as that?' L asked. Why. of
course. / am eager to know if they
went 'Ah, but l dare not tell you.
Dare not tell me! What notion But
you must. Did they go?' Did they
COP repeated, hesitatingly. Answer
me, Herbert she cried as imperiously
as she dared, under cover of the prom
enade music. Yes L cried in sudden
desperation.
"'Ah,' she said, as il she felt greatly
relieved. We'll, 60 on now. Stay, L
think mamma is motioning. Let us go
to her. Not yet l pleaded. But
whyp 'Because-because'-I caught
suddenly at an excuse, i fear she may
think we have danced together too Oft
en-. fear she will separate us. 90
said the lady, but she was not dis
pleased.
ut was about time, / knew, to free
myself of this fair responsibility and
render an account to the real Herbert
But had not the nerve to face any
dragon of mamma, if it could be
avoided.
al have something to say to YOU I
said, gravely, moment later; but it
cannot be said here. Shall we not go
again to the conservatory She was
very willing, and when she was once
more safely seated in the dim retreat 1
said 1 would go and get another ice for
her. And off l posted-in search of
Mr.. Herbert.
Horrors! He was not there. But
some friend of his was coming out of
the supper-room and caught my arm.
Herb, he cried, Il want
"'I'll be back in moment, said j, rush
ing past him, in an agony lest the real
Herbert appear. L made for Taylor,
and, passing behind him, stepped
within an alcove, where L bent over
some jellies and so kept my face hidden.
In few moments 1 heard again the
voice of the gentleman who had de-
tanned me; he was addressing the hosts
son. why, didn't see you come out
/ want and L couldn't hear the
rest.
Il began to wonder how Miss Richie
would regard the delay. AS soon as 1
dared, went to the door, and then Mr..
Herbert saw me and came up.
"'Well? 2 he asked.
Il showed dish Of ice into his hand
For heavens sake take itP / cried
she'll think you had to wait for it to
he frozen. She's in the conservatory
this half hour
"He smiled, You've done me great
SERVICE said he. Fact is, the lady Pm
engaged to vexed me last week. To
punish her, 1 pretended to firt with
this other one, tonight, and carried it
little too far. / had to make it clear
with my aifianccd. That's what I've
been doing. If ever you want a
friend
Good heavens!' / interrupted.
don't thank me too much. I've only
been making a worse mess for you.
You told me to give her compliments
and small talk He looked little
dazed, and hed with the ice.
Il went back into the supperpoom,
and examined the little wad he had