The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-02-18
Slightly Mixed.

A bright moonlight night and a gay
party. Peals of laughter in all KEYS float
through the keen frosty air as sleigh-load
after sleigh-load drive away from a
brightly lit mansion, until the street
seems filled with the dashing sleighing
party.
One, small shell-lke creation drawn
by single black horse, leads the party.
Its occupants are Mr. Harold Greystone
and his sister, Miss Nellie. Mr. Grey
stone, after wrapping his sister in the fur
robes, devotes himself to putting his
horse at speed that promises to leave
the remainder of the party in the distance
For some reason, Mr.. Greystone does not
seem to share the exuberant spirits of the
rest of the party. On the contrary, he
seems a good deal put out, to say the
least, and his usually good -humored
countenance is overcast His heavy
black brows are drawn together, and in
spite of the sweeping mustache one can
note the firm expression that turks around
the mouth
Altogether he looks very grim. Miss
surveys him.
She is very small herself, and being
buried to the chin in wraps, it is work
of time to turn herself sufficiently to see
his face. Noting his expression, she be-
gan cautiously:
"Harold, Amt you driving the horse
too fast2 See, the others are away be-
hind"
"We will arrive all the sooner for sup
per, SIS" was the reply.
go, well, but the oysters arc not put
on to cook yet, so we needn't hurry Oh
that score"
Harold reluctantly pulled up his horse
little, and, looking back, he growled.
"That fool, Douglass, will dawdle
enough for the whole party. It's a grand
wonder he would consent to drive load
However, if my Lady Blanche wanted tc
go in a load he would not object. It's ;
mystery to me how as sensible glrl a
Blanche Leslie can tolerate such an idio
in her presence. But, pshaw, there is NJ
mystery about it. If a fellow has full
nurse it makes no difference whether h
possesses any brains or not. Glang
jim, slapping the horse savagely witt
the reins.
"Harold, did you ask Blanche to g
with you9"
sNo, by Jovc, l didn't. l anu nc
quite such fool as that. My Lad
Blanche will find that she cannot twis
every one around her finger like Doug
lass"
81 don't think you need be so hard o
Blanche She isn't crazy after rich pee
pie at all. We are not rich, and II
J sure she is always goodness itself, thoug
/ you do put on awful airs and treat hi
like she was the veriest stranger. AS fl
Mr.. Douglass, almost everyone likes hin
if he is little soft But Blanche ism
: the least bit in love with him."
.'No, not in love with him, but h
: pocket book. never supposed she W
1 in love with him."
"Harold Greystone, am ashamed
you. You know there isn't word
J truth in what you say. There, am gil
: we have got there at last l feel chil
I, in spite of wraps"
II Harold lifted his charge from
J sleigh and placed her on the steps OF
u hotel, where the party have planned
e dance, to be followed by an oyster 81
l. per. The other sleighs drove up, a
y directly the hotel is alive with the mel
he party. The evening is heartily enjoy
E. by ALL with the exception, perhaps,
e. Harold Greystone. The sight of NJ
a Leslie smilingly accepting the attenti'
lie offered by young Douglass rendered
IN evening anything but pleasant to him.
Oh is true he had no right to complain.
re Nellie was right when she said his o
ed pride had erected the barrier betw'
o. them. The fact that while Miss Lesl
n parents are grown Weather within
It. years, his own had grown poorer,
&c, obstacle enough to Harold. He did
&C. fancy the name of fortune hunter.
eo told himself she had totally forgotten
up old days when they were on an eq
Oh footing, and, no doubt, she was asian
&c, to remember her preference for hims
he But he would not presume on that n
rgs Douglass might win her, and he VIC
I'm not lay straw in his way.
his All this and a great deal more
through his head as he gaily talked