Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-09-02


move or hardly speak on the way home,
else you will be laid up with an awful
cold and have a red nose, and then you
cannot see your dear Fred when he ar
rives tomorrow After dancing so much
and eating warm supper you must be
doubly careful, and If / hear q sneeze,
home you stay for the rest of the winter,
nv child;" which cheerful remarks he
by a gentle shaking.
'You need not be absolutely dumb.
Just nod your head to signify your APP
proval of my remarks. Did you have a
good timer"
A perceptible moving back and forth
was his answer
"Yes, every one had splendid time,
myself in particular. entertained my
self in watching Douglass play the clown
to Miss Leslie's amusement He did it
to perfection. By George, should have
thought so many sweet smiles would
have made her sick. Shows how much
a woman can stand when she makes up
her mind to it, and suppose her mind
is made up, don't yOug"
A decided negative is indicated by
his companions movements.
"Humphi firmly believe she intends
to marry Softhead (his own name for
young Douglass) sooner or later, proba-
bly, sooner. Why, don't you think she
does, sisP You can unloosen that shawl
or scarf, or whatever it is, enough to let
me hear the sound of your voice. I'm
getting lonesome. What did you sayp"
II don't think Blanche likes Mr..
Douglass very well," was the barely au-
dible reply.
"The deuce you don't! Oh, well! but
you are mistaken, l know. Don't she
show him all sorts of favors, dancing
with him repeatedly, even giving him
the dance she used to always give to me,
and that should have enjoyed SO much
to-nightP'
ibid you ask her for it?" murmured
the figure at his side.
"Ask her for itp Not l. Though, to
tell the truth, Nellie, l was awfully
tempted to- If she had vouchsafed me
one friendly glance l would undoubted-
ly have made fool of myself"
Some violent emotion seemed to be
agitating his companion, and her strug-
giles attracted the attention of Mr.. Grey
stone; he shook her vehemently.
"Now, Nellie, positively forbid you
taking off single shawl" and he at
tempted to readiust her wraps. but the
lady resisted his well-intended efforts,
and in trice had torn the veil from her
face and displayed to his astonished
gaze the laughing countenance of
Blanche Lester.
"Pray 60 on with your remarks, Mr..
Greystone. Your style, though little
peculiar, is nevertheless highly enter
tanning. Idon't know when l have en-
joyed ride so much. Aren't you afraid
we shall upset If we don't keep to the
roadP" for the horse was following its
own sweet will and meandering along
the roadside in an aimless fashion, while
the driver was staring at his companion
| in utter amazement.
"What- -utter-idiot l have beer" "
his power of speech coming back to him
by Jerks "Where is Nellie, and how
on earth did you get here, BlancheP"
'Oh, Nellie wanted to ride home with
the Load think she was tired of your
company, strand hadn't the heart to
refuse her when she wanted me to take
her place"
'.And you have been listening to all
my idiotic talk! What must you think
of meP Can you ever forgive me for the
way have talked, and" laying his
hand on her arm, tell me, Blanche, that
you loathe and despise that fellow Doug
lass"
"But do not loathe and despise Mr..
Douglass On the contrary, l consider
him one of the pleasantest young men ]
know. But what do you want to talk
of Mr.. Douglass forP Are you so infatu-
ated with him that you cannot talk oi
anything elseP"
Il infatuated with him! / heartily
detest the man. / wanted to knock him
down every time he looked at you to-
night. Blanche, darling" slipping his
arm adroitly around her waist, "tell me
do you care even little for nae? Are
YOU perfectly Indifferent to me, when
have worshiped you all my lifep"
1T would serve you right if l hated
you, and don't see why don't, after
the way you have treated me-never te
come near me or speak to me at all,
with most reproachful glance.
"But you don't hate me, do you
Blanche2"
| "No-I DON'T she confessed.
| Mr.. Greystone's horse Jagged in 6
most nnaccountable fashion the last
half of the way home, but everything
must have been very harmonious, fol
the first time Mr.. Greystone met Mr..
Douglass he hailed him with such hearty
good humor as to fill that gentleman
with wonder, and he marveled greatly
what had come over that gruff fellow
Greystone. 4'By Jove, he used to hardly
speak to fellow" .