The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-10-22

really must not, say word to me.
There is no use in talking, and as we
can't agree we must disagree on that
point, and leave it entirely alone Come,
it is time to dress for Mrs. Towns
dinner. What do you wear?"
Mabel showed determination in
thus ending the conversation that sur
prised Agnes. Rising from the cosey
fireside where they had been sitting,
she went to the wardrobe and took out
handsome silk, saying as she laid it
on the bed
"Never! shall never fall in love
until | have deliberately made up my
mind. l am going to wear my garnet;
l suppose you wear blue. Who are to
be there?"
"Only a small party, two gentlemen
from New York and lady from Bos-
ton, with a lion or two. l suppose. l
think Mrs. Towns lions are cubs; how
ever, they serve the purpose"
An hour later, gay party of ten
were seated in the handsomely appointed
dining-room, at table affording every
delicacy, presided overly Mr.. and Mrs.
Town with that self-satisfed I-guess-
this is about-as good-as- you find air
which often characterizeS successful
dinner givers.
Agnes looked regal, and was appear
ing her very best, talking in most in
terested manner to Mr.. Young, her
neighbor, one of the strange gentlemen
from New York. Mr.. Landon, the other
stranger, sitting on her right, gradually
fell into the conversation, as Mabel
seemed strangely fascinated by GER
tain Mr.. Gauss who sat next her on the
other side. Of course, the conversation
drifted as is usual at conventional din
ners, now all joining in one general
topic, now all laughing politely at some
old story poorly told, and now again
running off into little channels enjoyed
by two or three. Thus by the time
they rose from the table, Agnes had had
ample opportunity to form first opin-
ion of the stranger guest.
But somehow she did not feel like
forming opinion or passing judgment
tonight; she just gave herself up to
the enjoyment of a perfectly delightful
evening. During the music she and
Mr.. Young had such cosy chat in the
lovely great bay window; though quite
in the shadow, they were soon joined by
Mr.. Landon, who proved to be a damper
to the flow of conversation, in spite of
his very entertaining manner.
Mabel was not so supremacy uncon-
scious of the drift of the evening as she
appeared; her lovely blue eyes ", ln~.cu
with mischief as she ventured to mon
opolize Mrs. Towns attention with an
apparently most important matter,
As Frank escorted them to their car
riage, she whispered gayly,-
Its all right Remember!'
Agnes wondered little at Mabel's
manner as they returned home and
retired for the night, but she had had
such good time, and was SO enthusi-
astic herself, that it did not trouble her.
The next morning characteristic
note received from Mrs. Town ran
thus
"MY DEAR GIRLs:-Such conquest
as you made last evening! 1t takes my
breath away to think of it. l really
feel | ought to tell you, that you may
be prepared for the worst. Both my
charming guests captivated in one even
ing Qulte'tOO bad. for planned quite
a little campaign with them. Now all
my other girls are out in the cold. Well,
well! ] suppose you know Mr.. Landon
is nothing more than millionaire,
and Paul Young nothing less than a
poor young lawyer, with nothing be-
hind him. and all the world before him.
"What | started to say was this: we
all want to go to the opera together to-
night. OF course you will join us, and
the storming of the castle will continue
l wonder who will come off in glory
who all CORY? l shall be on the II ur-
rah side anyway and always.
"YourS devotedly,
"ELSIE a. Town"
"Very gracious in her to attribute
the conquest to both of us. know
who the conqueror is, though" said
Mabel, tapping her foot. "Will you
answer the note, or shall do so, and
what shall the answer be?"
why, we will go, to be sure-of