San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-12-24
u the middle nau ever resuunueu.

VI the middle nnu ever resUunueu.
Well, to make the story as short as
possible, Ethan received very neatly
written note one afternoon from Lucy
DOgne. written in her characteristic
style of precision and tirmness, all cor
rectly phrased and spelled, saying that
she would be very happy to accept his
polite invitation to go TO the next ball
over at Upfeid, and would hold herself
IN readiness accordingly.
What's all thisr' exclaimed Ethan
when he had fairly read the note
through.
He was puzzled and COMPOUNDED.
II never invited Lucy Doane to 90 to
the Upheld ball in my life! Why, what
does she mean? I'm sure don't know
how to proceed in such a caser'
Which was all perfectly true. Ethan
Nash was in regular quanGary.
So he came right over to consult with
Inc about it Why he selected me out
of all the rest of his numerous acquain-
tances in the village, | never knew, and
probably never shall, but he came and
laid the matter plainly before me, aud
says he:
You shall have it, with all my
heart" says |.
"Tm in regular fix" said he. You
see, the way of it is this: Here I've got a
letter from Lucy Doane." producing il
from his pocket and holding it out al
arm's-length, land she says in that let
ter that she is very happy to accept my
kind invitation to go to the sleighing
party up to Upheld. when the fact is
never asked her to 60 with me in my
life"
could not help smiling.
Rather awkward" | suggested.
"Isn't itP Now | wish you would tell
me what I'd better do about it"
"Dor
Eyes, what would you doP You see,
must do something"
"Oh, certainly; that letter must be
answered somehow"
Then what would you say to it.
How would you try to get out Of it,
John"
I'D up and thank her for accepting"
said /, land then I'd secure nice sleigh
against the time came around and carry
her"
You would! The Old Harry must be
in your
ION the contrary, l assure you it's
just the best thing you can possibly do.
Just take my adVi e for once and see
what will come of it"
he hung down his head, put the note
in his pocket, and suffered himself to
think of it.
There was no chance of escape. He
saw for himself, thanks to his native
common sense, that the best way to
silence that battery was to walk straight
up to it.
Which he did, and sent back his mes
sage of thanks to Lucy for deigning to
comply with his request
The afternoon of the sleigh-ride was
cold and biting as you would care to
read about. Even at noon the sun mad
not set single icicle to running ut the
caves, and the snow in the road-track
was as smooth and polished as mar
BILE.
"rve got my Sleigh" said Ethan to
me, in a rather confidential manner.
ats Ben Balls cutter. He didn't want
to use it himself. Jake's going with a
INO-uOISc DuI lulDu you
i had to pay for itH'
When the twilight advanced-what
little there was of it at that time Of the
year, saw Ethan Nash driving up
pell-mell with Tom Nickinson's fiery lit
tie mare. the cutter digging her heels
like sledge after reindeer. Ethan
had as much as he could do to manage
her.
Subsequent to that slight glimpse of
Ethan, buzzing by my window as he
did, l caught no other until | stood in
the little ballroom, having ushered in
Gas thoughD very handsome young
lady in fancy dress with .ixings"
to correspond, and taken a modest, if
not decidedly timd survey of the floor.
There was Ethan in full feather He
was dressed with all his might" and
couldn't have spared a single item of
his inventory without damaging his eff
fectiveness decidedly. fact, ne meant
to be killing.
Near where he stood sat Lucy Doane,
simpering and whimpering behind her
half-spread fan, her round face as red
as wasting winter-apple, her eyes up
turned to him in an exceedingly lam
gushing style, and lots of young girls
surveying them with feelings so mixed
that shall be excused from describing
them.
By the bye in came lilly Fogg with
Edward Marks.
How Ethan did stare straight
at her, and how she did stare straight
back at him; sat where l could see it
all; and there were others that saw it as
we'll. For few minutes tine friends