Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-10-31
THE QUARREL.

The brief March day was drawing to
a close, and the twilight, which would
probably light up country %hillsides for
some time with purple softness, was
already eclipsed in the city with fiaring
gas-hghts, and Lillian, Graham chung
closer to her friends side, with almost
O sensation of terror. +3*tt
II had no idea it was SO late, Ellie, "
she said to Mrs, Wallis, her companion,
~'Oh, do let us hurry home"
Don't be nervous" laughed merry
little Mrs. Wallis. "We're only half a
dozen blocks away from home at the
furthest I like to be out i'll the twl-
light once in while myself. Il gives
one a spicy sense of adventure. i
Bat Lillian was made of different
stuff. There was something clinging
and dependent in her nature, and the
growing darkness appalled, her.
y "Oh, I am SO gladW she exclaimed,
with sudden, joyous information Of her
voice. "Meredith Allston is coming.
lie Will see us safe home"
'>. AS she spoke tall figure approached
the figure of gentleman walking
rapidly down the street, with the lamp
light shining full upon his dark eyes
and regular features.
"Mr. Allston Meredith !"
But, to Lilian's surprise, the gentle
man took no notice of her hesitatlng
summons, but passed her, looking into
her eager, flushed face with the careless
glance of unrecognition.
She drew herself haughtily mp and
bit her lip.
II might have spared myself the
trouble Of speaking" she said. "if 1
had only known that Mr.. Allston does
not know bis acquaintance in the
street,"
Il dare say he was thinking OF some
thing else," said Eftie Wallis, apologet-
ically.
"But 7 called his NAME" persisted
Lillian, land he looked me full in the
tacew ..@
/, well, you shall call him to an
account for, it. when he comes to-
night" L. !. ~
IT have half a mind not to see
him!"
"That would be nonsense" said sensi-
BILE Mrs. Wallis. "Come along; we shall
be at homo in two minutes"
Lillian Graham looked very pretty as
she sat in her fathers drawing room
that night, with the soft light from the
chandelier streaming around her slen-
der figure She was blonde, Of that
rare type of beauty which boasts a COM
plexion like damask roses and hair Of
shining gold in contrast to eyes of the
darkest hazel, and the somewhat plain
face of Mrs. Wallis served as an uncon-
scious foil to set off her own fresh young
loneliness.
Mr.. Allston's face frightened as he
entered the room few minutes after
the little ormolu timepiece on the man.
tie had struck S.
"You are looking we'll, Lillian" he
said, with something Of the conscious
pride of proprietorship.
Lillian bit her lip.
"You did not stop to think about my
looks when / really needed your escort
this evening"" she said little coldly.
He looked at her in establishment.
II don't know what you mean, Iili-
an?"
"Were you not on Sixth avenue this
evening, between 6 and ~" -
"No; Twas not"
Miss Grahana's cheeks flushed.
"Mr. Allston, l can hardly discredit
the evidence of my own senses! ]
certainly saw you, and so did Mrs.
Wallis!'
He looked panied, but offered no
further explanation of the mystery.
"Are you ready for the concerto he
asked.
II have changed my mind" she said
briefly Il don't want to go!"
"Lilianr' FL
1.-The truth isl she said rising to her
feet, and playing with the. gold which
was looped around her neck, II do not
care to go out with, gentleman who
sees fit torepose SO little confidence in
mep' 81 &s$s${la .ss 1 \ T., -.-
Mr.. Allston bowed his submission to
her fiat. 2 ~. ! T..
Very WE'LL" he said, quietly. I can
not, of course, dispute your decision !
wish YOU very good evening" y = " '7S
But little Lillian found the hours by
the domestic fresidea little dull after
the departure at her offended preux
chevalier. .. ....
II wish hadn't been so cross with
him." she said struggling her pretty
shoulders remorsefully. 'Effie, let's
ask papa to take us to the opera; we
shall be in time for the last two acts"
Just as you choose said Effie
Wallis, who was not unaccusto,ned to
the sudden caprices Of her pretty little
cousins mind. ~ 80 $3.50
Tie Opera House was crowded, and
the party with difficulty found seats
at the back Of the dress circle
but Lillian was hardly seated before
she pressed her Cousins arm
"Effie. look there-in the parquet--
close to the orchestra stalls! !"
eyes" said Mrs. Wallis, I sect is
Mr. Allston; but that's no, reason, you
should pinch me black and blue! /
suppose a man has a right to. come to
the opera if he chooses!" ..
II hope he wont see us" said Lillian,
IN d tone that might easily have been
Interpreted as directly contrary to- her
words. !
"He can't, un1ess he, has eyes in the
back of his head" said Mrs. Wallis.
ttIlo Eaa,a still and Iet me- hear San.