The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-10-24

- SfsE W
She occupied conspicuous place "a the
JoccS
stately, bat suporbly ROUNDED. 'In joining
contrasts lin,h Loves delight Naturally
the faIr-haircd Curly's heart went out to
this dark haired beauty. The eye can he
rs vocal as the tongue" and though no
word had pa eel between them they under
stood each other perfectly. His difficulty,
however, was to obtain an introduction,
for although Johnston was u frequent vii
tor at MacAllisters house he had never once
invited Curly to accompany him. MacAllis
ter INTENDED his daughters hand for his
young friend Daniel DeempSter, the Laird
OF SlrathmneS, whose estate adjOinel biz
own. As tor asking the Young lady's con.
sent that was quito supernuous-i she
didn't know her own mind her father did.
Johnston, from behind the curtains of his
box, frequently observed the optical duets
VIII. oh nightly took place between the young
people; lie saw how the Land lay, AM ne
thought it his du as man of honor to
| lend no countenanch to this sort of non
| sense. Low, however, laughs at all pre-
| cauti -surmounlS all obs aceI; and, OF
| courss, in tho fuiness of time, Curly ami
Flora met.
There was a grand ball given at the assem-
| bly, rooms upon some public occasion, and
| everybody who was any body, was Their.
| The belle of the ball IeJonl dispute was
| Flora, and it was equally unquestionabl,
| that the "swelr' of ths bali was Curly. Yes.
he was decidedly ''the star of the goodly
| company" the cynosure OF all eyes-ad-
III red by all the womel, detested by all the
| men.
| Among the former there was but one
opinion: "He was all too lovely"-among
| the latter he was the most insolent puppy
that ever walked on two legs. Hard words,
however, break no bones and he tloael
about subhmey inSouciant, reSpleudent in
| his comets uniform--hiS ambrosial locks
floating about his brow in a gol len nimbus
his head AMI shoulders towering over
every holy. Beside these personal advan-
tage3, he was the only man in the place who
knew how TO handle a woman in a waltz
aud as it was a new dance he was con5e-
quentiy tie one most in demand. He ami
Flora had been in the room for three mortal
I hours, continually meeting, almost touch
ing each other, but never once daring to
speak. He only waited his chance. At last
IT came. Johnston had jusC flashed the
ancers with Miss MacAIister, and they
were promena ling tho room together, whom
they came face to face with Curly. Before
the manager had time TO escape Donald re-
quest ii an in reduction, ami when the next
waltz struck up Flora was whirling about
in his arms. 1t was the old, old story, that
has been told n hunirei yea,
hIndrod thousand times OF course
they hal known each other all
their lives, perhaps in some ochor life,
| etc. Regardless of every thing and every
body, they danced together for the rest of
the evening. Society took note of this AMI
society was shocked Johnston shook his
head. Mr.. Daniel Deemp5ter, who had been
selected by Mr. Mac Allster as his future SON
in-law, was not dancing party, and he
shook his fist turtively, and lonGed to make
it acquainted with Curiy's head. Then, for
he was "canny," Deempster inquired Of
Flora .'if she didn't feel tired. Might he not
or Tor the carr.age,' No, she was not tirel,
the ball had only just begun, and Mr..
Deempster need not order the carriage So
saying she returned to the waltz ana to
| Curly. The LAIRD of Strathmin,S was u
| giant of six foet two, with tn e,e of hawk,
and the lelk of an eagle; a huge chest, a
brawny pair of arms AMI fist like a sledge
hammer A dangerous person when put out
of tho way. He was put out of the way
now. Casting IA baleful glare on his rival,
| he made all sail for the Card-room, where he
! found his father in-aw that was to be in the
mine holes.n Obviously he couldn't inter
rupt him then, but when the rubber was
over and NacAllister had lost tn, game,
through his partner having re voked, Deemp-
ster related his grievance to ears already,
unfortunately, disposed to anger. The two
men returned t. the ballroom hastily, and
sought Flora, who was at that instant about
| to begin another dance.
Come Flora" said MacAllister Times
up-carriage is waiting"
so sorry, papa" she replied, sweetly,
"but Pm engaged to Mr.. Campbell for the
next waltz Let me introduce him to YOU"
Curly blandly murmured in his most in.
sinuating manner "Del ighted-delghted cd
Pm sure" The music struck up AMI away
they went, pursuing, encircling, caress-
ing" MacAlhster stood dazed AMI dumb
founded; at last he muttered:
"Well, d his imputence!"
Deempster said nothing, but made up his
mind, if ever he got the chance, that he
would break every bone in Curly's skin.
During tho waltz the lovers arranged
their plan of action. Fora's maid Jennie
MACPHERSON, had brother, carpenter in
the theatre, who could be relied on as a
faithful messenger. Having established
this trusty medium for communication, the
rest was easy.
The dance being over, Curly escorted
Flora to Der father, Tut neither the ''stern
parent" nor his intended son-in-la law vuuci,-
safed the slightest recognition as they
turned AMI left the room.
When the MacAllisters reached home a
terrible scene occurred. The old gentleman
had had too much wine or whisky, or both,
and he asserted the paternal authority in q
manner which set Fiora's Highland blood in
a flame She turned round and faced him.
giving him almost as good as he sent, and
wound up by saying:
"At any rate in three months time shall
be my own mistress, and free from eithsr
coercion or insultV
The old man replied:
"Very well; but till those thres month;
are over you are under my control, and by
ID you don't cross yonder doorstep
without my permission Don't let there ID
any mistake aboat thatr