Milford chronicle., 1885-02-20
John and Nellie.


''It will only be a country frolic, Nellie
so don't dress too elaborately. You
must be prepared for blind mans buff
and fOrfeits."
"Horible Molly, left those games
behind me long ago"
"Well, when you're IL IL IissQm5, von 7a7nr5
must do as Romans do. Forgety you are
Miss Nellie Munroe, of Madison Square,
and am sure you will enjoy yourself. :"
"All right, Molly; I'll Se a country
girl just like the rest. You ] see how l
shall enjoy myself"
The two girls were cousins, Molly and
Nellie Munroe. Molly was the country
minister's daughter, and Nellie's father
was a wealthy New York banker. She
had just arrived on a visit to Molly's
home in Grassmere. They had been in
vited to a merry-making at a neighbor's
and Molly was very much afraid her styl-
ish cousin Nellie would be shocked at
the gay romping games she had grown
accustomed to, but which we're so differ
ent from the stately parties she had wit
messed at Nellie's city home.
About seven o'clock the girl fitted
down the stairs to the minister's study.
"Well, uncle, do look like a city girl
nowP"
The transformation was complete
Before she had disappeared from the tea
table she was a perfect specimen of a
beautiful New York girl-from the top
(which wasn't very far Off of her puff
crowned head to the tip of her French
kid boot, which peeped from a dress of
three marvelously mingled shades Now
a demure maiden stood before him in a
simple. neatlv-fitting white dress. A
blue scarf was tied around heI 7aist and
her hair, arranged in four heavy curls,
dropping to the ends of the sack, was
tied back from the sparkling face with
blue ribbon.
'Why, little niece, before supper you
were Miss McFlimsey, OF Madison
Square, and now you are a country
daisy"
"That's just what wanted you to
say, uncle. Molly is afraid 1 won't en-
Joy myself but Pm going to show her.
Doesn't she look nice? I'm afraid the
young farmers won't look at me.
Now, Nell, no fattery Come, we
don't make point of being late. Come,
father r.
The immense room which had been
cleared of all furniture except chairs,
was well filled. Nellie was much
amused by the way the youths all got by
themselves, as far from the girls as they
could; but she restrained her smiles and
took observations instead. Among the
young men she noticed many tall,
splendidly developed figures, with fine
heads and intelligent faces, who were
evidently longing for the restraint to be
broken. She could not help comparing
them with tho gentlemen of her set at
home-the bewhiskered exquisites-
among whom she had in vain searched
for an original idea.
Nellie's little head held good deal of
common sense; although one of a gilt
tering social circle, she had always taken
the glitter for what it was worth, know
ing there were better things in life.
But now affairs began to grow live
lier. Some one proposed blindman's
buff, and a merry scurrying around be-
gan. Nellie had plenty to do to keep
herself from being caught, for it was no
feint at the ancient game. At length her
turn came, and the blindman touching
one of the thick curIs, said instantly :
"NIiss Molly's friend" So she stood |
quietly for her eyes to be bandaged, and |
then, with a quick spring, caught some
one standing near. But that was judged |
not fair, so she was turned around and |
asked: "How many horses has your |
father ?" and set free. A long chase, |
and her fingers encountered something. |
It was a coat-sleeve, and Nellie's little
hand straying up farther felt a silky
Ehisker. Now, Nellie had been intro
luced to a fine, manly fellow, with
brown whiskers, so she guessed this
must be he; and so it was-'Mr.
Grey"
The game proceeded amid laugh and
,hout, until, breathless, they stopped.
Then the forfeits began. Twirl the
platter was played, and Nellie was
orced to give up the ribbon which
)ound her curls. In suspense she
ieard her sentence pronounced
"The lady must take a gentleman and
walk around the house twice; the second
ime they may kiss and come in. John
Grey is the gentleman.
"Oh, Molly /" Nellie whispered, 81
ant had rather stay in here and do
t, if I must"
''Nellie, you said you'd be country
,irl, Just as the rest. There isn't one
lere but would give her eyes to be in
our place."
So Nellie, poor child, was escorted by
Ter tall cavalier out, amid the great
aughter of the company.
Once they walked around the house,
nd when they reached the door the
econd time John Grey stopped and
aid:
''Miss Munroe, I will release y0u
rom this part of the forfeit, if you wish;
it would give me the most in
ense pleasure to take it.
Looking up, Nellie met his eyes look
1g down at her with an inexplicable
,ok. She murmured something about
very kind, and he continued:
1.-THE only recompense I shall ask will
g the privilege of escorting you home
his evening, and of keeping this ribbon
hen you have done with it.
Nellie lied up her curls, and they
-alked back very composedly among
be waiting young people. The even
g ended with the "ugly mug, " a dance