The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-12-26
BRAVE DUNCAN.

-Caa13ers 1orr7igt
BRAVE DUNCAN (
BY wlxSlFREp JOYCE
Then the rarty is a settled fact?7
@oh, yes7
"And the invitations all out?'
"Eyery one Of them
"And YOU have invited --?r
@our set, OF ofcenrse-same as last par
ty-and one or two outsiders
"Who, for instance?
@Well, Zelda Mason"
a0hl she'll do
4And Neitie Pond
"Her father's a millionaire
"And Duncan Little
Dale Winsson's brow was drawn in
frown He was mere boy, but from
trying to be.a fuil-Aedged lnsn and end
ing at becoming a half-fiedge dude he (
had come 10 learn how to seowl and lock /
fierce as tragedian.
Little effect, however, had foppish (
Dale's grimaces on gay, biithesome NeI- /
lie Aston. They were dissautig related, /
and, as Nellie was pretty and an heiress,
Dale often assumed an rir OF proud pro-
prietorship over her when in company
Just now the dainty little lady resented /
it.
"Oh you don't ike Duncan Little?"
.sNo. don't, affirmed Dale, sullenly
"And pray why not, may ! ask ~
Because because hes 2 sneak
'Indeel p
'sYes he is.H
"Tn what way ~
@Oh, edges out Of spending a few dimes
at Wizards; won't smoke, because he's
afraid he'll have to treat. and-and-'
Because he's poor, and honest, and
slow" interrupted Nellie, that's the real
reason. Very well; that jast suits me.
and az I never knew Duncan to be at the
foo; of his class in school, or uncivil to
the girls. or act otherwise than as a gen
tleman. have invited him to the par
ty. and If you treat him shabbily-7
Miss Nellie tried to look dreadfully
stern. but smiled instead. Dale was dis
gruntled, however, and refused to be good
natured, and went away muttering some
thing about that beggarIy Duncan doing
something to make her ashamed of him
( vet
Evidently, ill-humored Dale had
plan to down that insolent pauper Lit
tie on general principles, and be chose
the Christmas Eye party at the Aston
mansion ss tine occasion Of its execution.
Sueh boys Is he become ruthless plot
ters when they set their mind 20 it and
with the aid Of confederates Of bis own
set. Dale had made it decidedly uncom-
Portable for his juvenile enemy and rival
before half the Christmas Eve cclebra-
ton was over.
Thus, when Duncan, afler breathless
game, strove to wipe the perspiration
from his hrow, the entire company snick
cred audlbly and pretty Nellie looked
chagrined, FOR Dale had deity substitu-
ted handkerchief well covered with SCOT
| for the dazzling white cambric Duncan
( imagined to be still in place.
| Later, IN searching for a forfeit among
/ his papers, lie was aghssstt 10 bring into
view whole deck Of greasy, well-thumb-
ed playing cards. And when later still
mischievous urchin put on Duncan's
oyercoat to play old man, flask of liquor
and dozen cigar stuBps were produced,
! overwhelming Nellie with modification
There WAS no opportunity for explana-
ton, and Duncan was ignored into OBJ
seurify for the Test Of the evening. When
the throng adjourned to the stage fitted
up in the picture room for some amateur
theatrieals, Duncan gloomily took re-
tired sea, and noticed pale's devotion to
Nellie with resentfui eye, as he decided
that through MIN his disgrace had come.
The stage was built at the windovIess
end Of the room, and the pretty curtain
and scenery made the place resemble a
charming miniature.
There had been rapturous applause at
a conical speech from Dale, which Dun
can did not relish at all songs and reci-
tations and a fairy spectacle was an
nounced to conclude the program and
the party.
Nellie Aston was the fairy. A platform
built and covered to represent rocks had
/ been placed at one side Of the stage, and
here, golden wand in had, the pretty
hostess never looked so lovely as when
ushering her mines and elves before her.
Dale WAS supposed 10 hold the ropes
that secured The frail platform, on which
Nellie stood, in place. and Duncan was
envying him the close guardianship of
Nellie, and then an accident occurred.
The curtain, sweeping too near a gas
jet, tosk ire Instantly it communicated
with the tinder-hke scenery. There was
rush for the door, loud cries Of terror,
and the stage seemed abiaze
At that moment, selfish, poltroon Dale
acted hls true nature lie might edsiiF
have seized Nellie and borne her beyond
the stage, but he thought only Of his own
safety.
, Releasing the ropes, he dashed wildly
out Of peril. As he did so the platform
fell, and Nellie with it.
Save herr
20 she's killed :"
aYou miserable coward =. muttere.i the
indignant Duncan to the flying, alright
ed Dale.
. With a spring. brave Duncan reached
! the stage. His hands and clothing were
badly scorched, but he not only placed
the fainting Nellie in safe hands bat sue