The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-02-18
danced with particular rival

|
| When at last the party concluded t,
turn their steps homeward, Harold seized
his own particular charge from crowc
of hooded and muiHed figures and speed
lily had her in the sleigh, completely en-
veloped in the robes.
"Now, sis, remember you are not tc
move or hardly speak on the way home,
else you will be laid up with an awful
cold and have red nose, and then you
can not see your dear Fred when he ar.
rlves tomorrow. After dancing so much
and eating warm supper you must be
doubly careful, and if | hear a sneeze,
home you go for the rest of the winter,
my child" which cheerful remarks he
emphasized by a gentle shaking.
"You need not be absolutely dumb.
just nod your head to signify your ap-
proval of my remarks. Did you have a
good time2"
A pcrceptible moving back and forth
was his answer.
Eyes, every one had a splendid time,
myself in particular. l entertained my
self watching Douglass play the clown for
Miss Lesles amusement. He did it to
perfection. By George, l 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 l suppose her mind is
made up, don't you?'
A decided negative is indicated by his
companions movements.
''Humph! firmly believe she intends
to marry Softhead (his own name for
young Dougass) sooner or later, probably
sooner. Why don't you think she does,
sis? You can unlooscn that shawl or
scarf, or whatever it is, enough to let me
hear the sound of your voice. Pm getting
lonesome. What did you say?"
81 don't think Blanche likes Mr..
Douglass very well" was the barely audi
BILE reply.
''The deuce you don't! O, WELT but
you are mistaken, 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-night?"
"Did you ask her for itp' murmured
the figure at his side.
"Ask her for it? Not l. Though, to
tell the truth, Nellie, 1 was awfully
tempted to. If she had vouchsafed me
one friendly glance l would undoubtedly
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 readjust her wraps, but the
lady resisted his well-intended efforts
and in a trcc had torn the veil from her
face and displayed to his astonished gaze
the laughing countenance of Blanche
Leslie.
''Pray, go Oh with your remarks, Mr..
Greystonc Your style, though little
peculiar, is nevertheless highly entertain
ing. l don't know when have enjoyed
ride so much. Aren't you afraid we
shall upset if we don't keep to the road?"
for the horse was following its own sweet
will and mcandering along the roadside
in an aimless fashion, while his driver
stared at his companion in utter amaze
ment.
"What- -utter-idiot have been, y
his power of speech coming back to him
by jerks. ''Where is Nellie, and how OIL
earth did you get here, Blanches"
80, Nellie wanted to ride home witt
the Load think she was tired of you
company, sr-and hadn't the heart tt
refuse her when she wanted me to take
her place"
"And you have been listening to al
nv idiotic talk What must you think o
me Can you ever forgive me fort the wa.
| have talked, and" laying his hand OF
her arm, "tcll me, Blanche, that yo,
loathe and despise that fellow Douglass.
'tBut do not loathe and despise Mr
Douglass. On the contrary, l conside
him one of the pleasantest young men
know But what do you want to talk c
Mr.. Douglass for2 Are you so infatuatc
with him that you cannot talk of anythin
elsc?"
~ infatuated with him heartily d,
test the man. | wanted to knock hi
down every time he looked at you tt
night. Blanche, darling" slipping h
arm adroitly around her waist, ''tell m
do you care even little for me? Are ye
perfectly Indifferent to me, when ! ha'
7 worshiped you all my life?"
at would serve you right if l hate
S you, and don't see why l don't, aft
C the way you have treated me-never
a come near me or speak to me at all
: with most reproachlul glance.
'But you don't hate me, do y
J Blanchew
I
d ''No-I DON'T" she confessed.
II Mr.. Greystone's horse Jagged in mt
IS unaccountable fashion the last half of t
IS way home, but everything must have be
&c very harmonious, for the first time \
1t Greystone met Mr.. Douglass, he hail
him with such hearty good humor as
n fill that gentleman with wonder, and
N marveled greatly what had come over Il
rs gruff fellow, Greystone. 'By Jove,
tie never used to hardly speak to fellow
as Lizzie Van Derr0H.
Ie A japanese gentleman, it is said, ne
:. ;,+r,s+s tba ,nakinu nf taa IN his Serya,