Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-01-08
Christmas Eye.
CHAPTER /.

y
expect Ralph Pasten to attain"
You haze made three sweeping as
sertions, Beatrice, and distinctly dis
pute the accuracy of each of them" re-
torted Rose Thornbury, coldly. "In the
first place, utterly deny that 1 am I'M
reasonable; in the second, ask no more
than l am entitled to expect; and in the
third, men have attained as high a
standard before, and there is no reason
why a man whom / admit to be natur-
ally amiable should not do SO now"
1t was lovely day about Christmas
time, and the two cousins were enjoy
ing the frosty air in the garden.
you may have read of such people,
my dear, but depend upon it you don't
often meet with them in real life," re-
piled Beatrice; very few men for loves
sake can, to the exclusion OF all other
duties, give themselves up body and
soul to the service of the woman who
has won their affections; good nature
alone might sometimes make man
seem weak in his allegiance and lead
him into little courtesies, which every
body else would look upon as mere acts
of politeness, but which you would inn
mediately attribute to want of proper
attention to yourself"
Il have no sympathy with such rea-
soning," was the reply; "and, in justice
to Ralph, / must say, that do not think
your peculiar form of advocacy at all
fattering to him. He does consider
that his duty to me is, above all other
duties, the only thing l complain of is
that he sometimes allows what you are
pleased to call good nature, to make
him forget that / have the first claim
upon him, and should be very sorry to
think he was SO weak man as not to
be able to correct so small fault" said
Rose, with immense dignity.
Il am glad you are so well satisfied;
you were finding so much fault with
him few minutes ago, that / really
thought you meant to quarrel with him,
but you are never Of the same mind
half-an-hour together; consistency is
not one of your most conspicuous yir-
tues" remarked Beatrice, good-humor-
edly.
THANK you'll nor is desire to put
things in their most agreeable garb
amongst yours" retOrted Rose rather
haughtily; "but here comes Mr.. Connis-
ton Danvers, he is amiable and weak
enough to need all your powers of de-
fence"
AS Rose Thornbury spoke, little
man, looking somewhat smaller than he
really was by reason of his slightly
bowed legs, and the difiident, not to say
Aeprecatory manner in which he carried
himself, came from the house into the
garden where the two girls were walk
ing and advanced towards them.
Doesn't he look contemptible?" ask
ed Rose in low tone, while her eyes
were fixed on the approaching figure.
who would think he was heir to a
baronetcy and fifteen thousand yearp
Ileighol if Ralph had only half as good
prospects what happy creature l should
bel"
But then he might not be quite so
anxious to marry you," retorted Bea-
trice as she left her Cousins side and
went to meet Mr.. Danvers.
What a dsagreeable thing Beatrice
i'h "''f bii' bittNiS tli'ib DttoDtu
Rose Thofnbury's mind. And then her
attention seemed to be entirely occupied
with book she had with her, and che
did not even look up until Mr. Danvers
spoke to her. Then she turned her dark
eyes upon him and smiled sweetly as
she made some light reply. She knew
that this little man was more than half
In love with her, and though nothing
was farther from her thoughts than the
idea of reciprocating the admiration he
manifested, she had not the least idea
of allowing her cousin to appropriate
the prize.
MIR. Commission Danyers had called to
invite Rose and Beatrice ThOrnbury
with their aunt to party, which he in
tended giving. Mrs. Blessington's as
sent had been given, and those OF the
girls was regarded as matter of course.
"Oh, | allenjoy it greatly" exclaim-
ed Beatrice when tho little man, with
more detail than was really necessary,
unfolded the manner in which he in
tended the affair TO be arranged. Parties
are always delightful; have you spoken
to auntie about it yet, Mr.. Danvers?"
"Yes, she has promised to come and
bring you and Miss Rose"
Aunt Mary is always ready to promise
for other people" said Rose, who was
VeXed at not having been first consulted;
for my part do not care very much;
are you inviting many people besides
Mr.. Danvers?"
lie mentioned a few names, but her
tone annoyed him and he was not vet
infatuated to put up with
being snubbed without resenting it, and
he turned to the more amiable of the
two girls and said impressively:--
You at least will favor my sister and
me with your company, Miss Beatrice?D
"Oh yes, know | shall enjoy myself
thoroughly, Mr.. Danvers; and there is
Aunt Mary looking quite animated at
the prospect, she enjoys ball as much
rs any of u.s."
So wing, Beatrice joined her aunt
accompanied by the young man, while
Rose turned away in a fit of the sulks.
She had not intended TO be taken ut
her word in this manner.
Indeed she quite expected to be per-
SudtNh anu NHllVdtCu w SldCc llle party
with her presence, while as to really
Directing to a party, it was form of
enjoyment of which she was particular
~ fond.
But Rose Thornbury was not sweet
tempered girl. She was exceedingly
pretty, and like many very pretty girls,
she over-estimated the power of her
charms, not recognising the fact that
beauty in the sulks is the reverse of at
traction, and that any man possessed of
grain of common sense, prefers COM
paratiVely plain, but good-natured and
fascinating woman as life companion
to the greatest beauty under heaven,
whose Miniature and bitter temper
would make her constant thorn in
his side.
On the first occasion, Rose felt simply
furious, for though she had not recog-
nized the name of Ralph Pasten among
the number of those invited, she did
not doubt that she could have procured
him an invitation, and then, besides the
pleasure of having him to dance attend
ance upon her, she would have had the
additional qualification Of letting him
see her eNquisitely dressed, and carry
ing off the palm of beauty from her less
favored female friends.
Tho most r,nrtifx.,,ry nf ~