The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1886-07-09
SLIGHTLY MIXED.

gay party. PeaIs of laughter in all
keys float through the keen, frosty
air, as sleigh load alter sleigh load
drive away from "a brightly lit
mansion, until the street seeks
filled with the dashing sleighing
party.
One, "a small, shell-like creation,
drawn by single black holse, leads
the party. Its occupants are Mr..
Harold Greystone aud his sister,
Miss Nellie. Mr.. GIeystoue, after
wrapping his sister in the fur robes,
dcv0tes himself to putting his horse
at q 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 IA 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 sweep
ing mustAche, one can note the firm
expression that turks around the
month.
Altogether he looks very grim,
Miss Nellie thinks, as she turns
herself and surveys him.
She is very small herself, aud
being buried to the chin in wraps,
it is a work of time to turn suffi
GENTLY to see his tace. Noting his
expression, she began very can
tiously:
"HaroId, aren't you driving the
horse too faSt9 See, thA others are
away behind"
"W will arrive all the sooner for
supper, Sis" was the reply.
20, well, but the oysters are not
put OH to cook yet, so we needn't
hurry on that score"
Harold reluctantly pulled MP his
horse "a little, and looking back he
grOwled:
"That fool, Douglass, will dawdle
enough for the whole party. 1t is
a great wonder he would consent to
drive II load. However, if my Lady
Blanche wanted to go in the load
he would hot object. It's a mystery
to me how as sensible a girl as
Blanche Leslie can tolerate such an
idiot in her presence. But psllawa
the.e is no mystery about it. 1t a
fellow has fnll purse it makes no
difference whether he possesses any
brains or not. G'lang, Jim," slap
ping the horse savageiy with the
reins."
"Harold, did you ask Blanche to
60 with youP
"No, by Jove, / didn't. lam not
1uite such fool as that. My Lady
Blanche will find that she cannot
twist every one around her finger
like Douglass"
III don't think yon need to he so
hard on Blanche. She isn't crazy
after rich people at all. We are
not rich, and Pm sure she is always
goodness itself, though YOU do put
1n awful airs, and treat her like the
veriest stranger. AS for Mr.. Doug
ASS, almost every one likes him, If
he is little soft. But Blanche
suit the least bit in love with him."
sHarold GreystOne, am asham-
al of you. You know there isn't a
word of truth in what sou say.
There, am glad we have got there
1t last. | feel chilly in spite OF
wraps"
Harold lifted his charge from the
sleigh and placed her on the steps
,f the hotel, where The party have
a dance, to be followed by
IN oyster supper. The other sleighs
lrive up, aud directly the hotel is
lIive with the merry party. The
,veniug is heartily enjoyed by all,
With tue exception, perhaps, OF
Harold GreystOne. The sight of
Mss Leslie smilinRly accepting the
attentions offered by young Doug
ass rendered the evening anything |
)ut pleasant to him. IL is true he
lad no right to complain.
Nellie was right when she said
lis own pride had erected the bar
ier between them. Tue fact that
While MISS LIeslie'G parents had
rrown wealthier Within | te years,
us own had grown poorer, was
,bstacle enough to Harold. He lid
lot fancy the name of tortune-hnn.
er. He told himself she had total
Y forgotten the old days when they
Tere on an equal footing, aud, no
IOubt, she was ashamed 10 remem-
,er preference for himself. But he
would not presume on that now.
Douglass might win her, aud he
rOuld not lay a straw in his way.
All this aud q great deal more
an through his head as be gayly
alked aud danced with a particular
ival OF BlaBche's, who seemed de-
to bring bin TO ber feet.
When at last the party cOurlud-
d 10 turn theis steps hOmeward,
iarOld seized bis own particular
harge from a crowd OF hooded aud
lufiied figures, aud speedily had
Ier in the sleigh, completely envel-
ped iu the robes.
snow, sis, remember you are not
o move or hardly speak on the way I
IOme, else you will be Laid up with
n awful cold aud have q red nose,
nd then Jon cannot see your dear
red when be arrives tomorrow.