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

a Drlgnb mOOnHSnb nlgnt anu gay
party. Peals of laughter in all keys
Aoat 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-like 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 dis
tance. For some reason Mr.. Greystone
does not seem to share the eXuberant
spirits of the rest of the party. On the
contrary, he seems 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
Nellie thinks, as she turns herself and
surveys him.
She is very small herself, and being
buried to the chin in wraps, it is a work
of time to turn her sufficiently to see his
face. Noting his expression, she began
cautiously:
Harold, aren't you driving the horse
too fastP See, the Others are away be-
hind"
s'We will arrive all the sooner for sup
.Do,. 81 ~ xuoc tho r.o111u
20, well, but the oysters are not put
on to cook yet, SO we needn't hurry on
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 great
wonder he would consentto drive load.
However, if my Lady Blanche wanted to
go in the load he would not object. It's
q mystery to me how as sensible girl
as Blanche Leslie can tolerate such an
idiot in her presence. But, pshaw, there
is no mystery about it. If u fellow has
q full purse it makes no difference
whether he possesses any brains or not.
G'lang JIM" slapping the horse savage
ly with the reins.
'.Harold, did you ask Blanche to GO
with youP"
"No, by Jove, I didn't. l am not
quite such fool as that. My Lady
Blanche will find that she cannot twist
every one around her finger like Doug
lass"
II don't think you need be so hard ON
Blanche. She isn't crazy after rich peo-
pie at all. We are not rich, and Pm
sure she is always goodness itself, though
you do put on awful airs and treat her
like she was the veriest stranger. AS
for Mr.. Douglass, almost everyone likes
him, if he is little soft. But Blanche
isn't the least bit in love with him."
mo, not in love with him, but his
pocket-book, | never supposed she was
in love with him."
Harold Greystone, am ashamed of
you. You know there isn't a word of
truth in what you say. There, ] am
glad we have got there at last. feel
chilly in spite Of wraps"
Harold lifted his charge from the
sleigh and placed her on the steps of the
hotel, where the party have planned a
dance, to be followed by an oyster sup
per. The other sleighs drive up, and
directly the hotel is alive with the merry
party. The evening is heartily enjoyed
by all, with the exception, perhaps, of
Harold Greystone. The sight Of Miss
Leslie smilingly accepting the attentions
offered by young Douglass rendered the
evening anything but pleasant to him.
II is true he had no right to complain.
Nellie was right when she said his
own pride had erected the barrier be-
tween them The fact that while Miss
Leslie's parents are grown wealthier
within late years, his own had grown
poorer. was obstacle enough to Harold.
He did not fancy the name Of fortune
hunter. He told himself she had totally
forgotten the old days when they were
ON an equal footing, and, no doubt, she
was ashamed to remember her prefer
ence for himself But he would not pre-
sumo op that now. Douglass might win
her. and he would not lay straw in
his way.
All this and great deal more ran
through his head as he gayly talked and
danced with a particular rival of
Blanche's, who seemed determined to
bring him to her feet
When at last the party concluded to
hHn their steps homeward Harold seiz-
cd bis own particular charge from
crowd Of hooded and matied figures