Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-09-03

Miss Paxton" y ''''''u ~
Nothing could have been moro 10
Ilolaccs liking than 10 be called unon
lot such duty rs this. He was charm
co with the lovely faces. the LIGHT. pleas
ant CHAT and the ripping laughter of
the young ladies, though he wished they
would pay more heed to the music. for
II 'ld not quite comport with his idea of
good manners that they should whisper
ana laugh while il went on, TO the very
e'lueht annoyance of several ladies and
gentlemen near them. But he tried t,
excuse II as thoughtlessncss that came
naturally from an overflow of spirits.
when the last piece had been PLAYED,
Horace would at once have moved to-
wards the door, but the ladies seemed in
no hurry, and introduced him TO several
oil their friends whose acquaintance he
was glad to make.
"Oh, what glorious moonlight" ex-
claimed Miss Paxton, as they finally
reached the open air. "lfs aitoccthcr
100 fine an evening to ride home on n
poky s'reet-car, En-. Let us walk"
81 am afraid it is too far" said Miss
Willard, who was Miss PaXton's cousin.
Not bit Its early vet" As II
rather prolonged discussion on the point
ended in decision in favor of the street.
car. Horace noticed that it was then
nearly half-past ten, but thought. as
they waited another ten minutes for n
car that he had still plenty of time TO
meet his engagement Hut he grew a
riiie uneasy rs Miss Paxton continued
her witty conversation with little circle
OF friends, regardless of the car when at
last 1t did come
''Oh, never mindr she said, as he
venturcd to draw her attention 10 il.
Wv no wants TO 60 home when the
night is so fine? Wen wait for the next
one. Aunt Emily is out tonight she
went on, with a laugh and a shruo of
hsr pretty shoulders. "lf il wasn't for
that, En- and would have to heed the
time, for she is one of the goody-goody
women, who hold that girls should be
at home at early hours, and has other
such old-iashioncd notions"
Horace set his teeth in his nervous
ness rs NJ last the little party were seat
ed in the car, but found comfort in re-
Wondering that the station at which hc
must not fail TO present himself at fifteen
minutes past eleven. was in the quarter
of the town to which he was conduct
inc the young ladies. As no more de-
LAYS were likely TO occur. he felt sure he
could still easily reach it.
But as they were passing by brill
liantly lighted saloon, Miss Paxton rang
the bell for the car TO stop.
Come she cried, with a laugh, rs
she sprang of. Her cousin followed.
and Horace, as a matter of course, fol-
lowed the two.
Don't think me rude. Mr.. Brand but
never can pass an ice-croam saloon
without INDUCING myself and I'm 90
ing to take the unusual liberty Of inyit-
ing YOU and my cousin TO take an ice
cream with me-
She was walking towards the bril-
hanUy-lightcd window when Iiorace,i in
grca. surprise and embarrassment, cX-
claimed:
"Why, Miss Paxton. beg your par
don. but thought-surcly Mr.. Harvey
explained to YOU that could only that
had on important cngagemc ut mt
eleven o'clock?'
ooh. yes, believe he did say some
thing of the sort" said Miss PcXton,
half in fun, but with q little annoyance
In her tone "But il isn't eleven yet,
and we shall be but short time in the
saloon"
But" persisted Horace, Il assure
You, Miss Paxton, that You must excuse
me very soon. am to meet
oh. do come, SAID Miss Paxton, who
had taken few steps nearer the door OF
the restaurant we shall have plenty
of time.
Yes" said Miss Willard. hltIying
after her. You wouldn't be so ungal-
liant, Mr. Brand, as 10 refuse Us just .
few minutes?'
Miss Paxton opened the door, and the
two girls went in. Neither of them
turned, after they entered the saloon.
and Horace remained on the sidewalk
in far greater perplexity than ever in
the course of his nineteen years he had
found himself What should he do?
What could he do? 70 neglect his alp
poinlmcnt was not to be thought of.
But eleven o'clock was striking then.
and he could not be in two places at
once. Should he leave these ladies I'M
projected?
Then followed feeling of indigna-
ton. lie had fulfilled every obligation
to them Through all his Difference TO
them. and his strong desire to do his ut
most in the way of attention. his sense
of right asserted itself. and he was keen
" conscious that their treatment of him
was not simply unladyike, but absolute
" rude
Just then, to his inexprossibic relief.
the coachman of his uncle who lived in
town. an old servant tried and trusted
for twenty years. passed him. lic
quickly called the man, and after n few
hasty words and an anxious glance at
his watch. sped away as fast as his feet
could carry him.
Three crcams-mixed.' Miss Pax
ton gave her order, and the young
ladies sat down, surprised that Horace
had not followed them.
ale seems in great hurry TO get
away" said Miss Willard. Perhaps
we ought not TO have kept him"
81 n