Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-05-07
HOW SHE WAS WON,
BY ROSE ALLISON.

but very sweet withal, for perfect health
had given her fine teeth, clear com.
plexion and rosy tint in her cheeks
that queen might have envied. She
was always cheerful and happy, too, save
at times when her jealous feelings led
her to believe that Lawrence Comfy pre-
ferred some handsomer Rirl to her. She
was not fond of society, and hated balls.
but there was a ball to be given at the
house of Mrs. Campbell she had prom
ised her mamma to attend, because her
brother was at home from college and
wanted to go. Now, Lawrence was 20.
ing also, and had asked her permission
to be her escort on the occasion. It was
terrible that she had to disappoint him.
but he had said: "Dulce viii soon be
off with some of the other girls and
then 1 can gallant you all the same. "
There was comfort in that, anyhow.
Lawrence Comfy was very foad of
Elise. He was looking for a wife. and
thought she would just suit him, With
her bright looks and old-fashioued ways
for she really was old-fashioned, help
ing her mother about her domestic af-
fairs, rising in the morning to see that
the breakfast was served in time and
that the little ones were properly
dressed before coming down stairs. Law
renee had a handsome house and snug
little fortune to live on, and Elsie in his
opinion was exactly the little woman he
wanted to preside over his establish.
ment. He called to see her every other
day, and the quiet talks they had pleased
them both better than society visits and
ball room f1irtations.
Elise went to Mrs. Campbelrs ball,
As Lawrence had predicted, Dulce soon
deserted her for Kate Willowly, IN old
flame of his, and being left all alone
Elise busted herself looking about fol-
Lawrence and wondering where he could
be. The amusements of the evening had
opened with a waltz, and as Elise cast
her eyes over the dancers in search Of
her lover, what should they encounte,
but Lawrence among the walters with
Helen Williams, the very handsomes
girl in the room, encircled by his arm
her face upturned to his; Elise ever
thought she could detect love glances
passing between them.
As soon as the waltz was over Law
renee was by Elise's side. s'You wer,
so long coming" he said, 'sand I was g.
impatient that I engaged in the waltz t.
pass the time away"
What was it that made Elise examiu,
the expression of his countenance NOR,
critically than usual? She was sure sh,
saw look of annoyance upon it. Wa
it any wonder! How could such plai1
little thing as she compare with tn
beautiful girl he had been dancing with
"But now that the fairrecluse is reall
here," Lawrence continued in q ton
that Elise thought bordered on
sheer, twill she favor me with her han
for the Lancers?"
All through the Lancers Elise fancie
he was thinking: Chow self-sacri6cin
I am to dance with this girl, when
might have my choice among the belle
of the room." Chances from lovely eve
that she intercepted on their way to hi1
seemed to reflect the same thoug ht; ani
although she could but ackncwleda
that he was making himself agreeable /
her, there was a condescension about hi
manner that almost enraged her.
At the close of the dance they wake
through the rooms and found themselvf
at last sitting in an oriel window in th
library, where Lawrence hoped to EMO
a few moments alone with Elise, instea
of which she insisted that he wou]
leave her and seek another partner.
vain he told her that it was his create,
happiness to be in her company, that n
other girl had any charm for him, fl
jealousy had so clouded her iudgme1
that she was sure that he was impatie1
for some one to come and take her ava,
that he might be free. She imagine
there was cutting sarcasm in ever
word he uttered, and at last her FEELING
grew so ungovernable chat tears cam
into her eyes. Lawrence saw her di,
tress.
"What ais my little girl to .nights
he said, attempting to take her hant
GLOW have I displeased you, DEF
Elise?"
''Displeased me?" she answered
GLOW could you do that? No; I wal
you to leave me and find handsom
partnerl"
At this moment James Fitzhugh,
man Elise despised for bis unrefine dma1
ners, approached them, and on pretent
OF having something to say to him 81
took bis arm and left Lawrence alone.
Fitzhugh was astonished to find hin
self gallanting Elsie through the rooms
the was not of her set and had sngaa
ments to fulfill. Elise was not thinkin
of him. In her distress she scarcel
knew whose arm she was leaning on.
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