The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-03-24

initiate the discretion of Miss Rivers, who
seems free uom your failing-curosity?
l blushed at such undeserved praise;
while Clara, to show her opinion of my
false pretenses, nudged me under the
table.
Although M. Ramsay would tell us
nothing more, We, III our idle moments,
which were many, speculated a great deal
as to the probable personal appearance of
Mr.. Vincent Hope. / had a certain right
to feel some anxiety about the matter, as
was informed that it would be my lot to be
taken in to dinner by him; therefore, it was
great comfort to me to hear he wore
neither spectacles nor beard.
Il know he will be delightful" cried
Clara. u feel sure the whole matter is
arranged by fate. OF course he will fall in
love with you at oncel Who could help
doing so? You viii look so nice, Heritage!"
This IS the way in which foolish young
women chatter at times.
1t would be my first dinner-party
ordeal always trying to a young girl. Any
way, | dreaded it. In spite of Clara's we'll
meant compliments, my mind was not
easy. / mistrusted the appearance | should
present. My new dress, | fancied, fitted me
badly; and | was haunted by PRESENT.
ment that my hands and the backs of my
arms were destined to grow crimson. SO
distressing were my fears, that. as the
hour approached, l would much rather
have joined the boys, who, not being adj
mitted to the feast, had gone off for jolly
long row on the riyer-"to get ont of it
all" they said.
As l dressed myself, wondered whether
I should quite know what to eat, what to
drink; and above all, if any one should
deign to speak to me, what to talk about.
Perhaps, thought, all this comes instinc-
lively. If, happily, such is the case, could
1t be possible, rs Clara boldly predicted,
that | should carry the little world by
storm2 / took one last glance at the mir
ror. After all, l did not look so very much
amiss. Then, a few minutes before the
hour struck, | entered the drawing room,
feeling almost sauguiue.
The guests arrived two by two. Like
animals going into the ark, whispered
Clara, who. having seen little more So
clety than | had, seemed quite at her ease.
Mr. Vincent Hope, as became distin-
guished man, was late. At least. it was not
until few moment before dinner was an
nounced that Mr.. Ramsay brought gem
teman TO me and presented him.
We bent to each other; then taking his
arm, joined the procession to the dining
ANN4tAs ~ NNut0t 4 NINBHGQ NV idus VI
something, by the way. This necessitated
my cavaliers stopping down to recover
possession of it, thereby delaying all the
couples behind us for moment or two. |
was beginning badly.
We sunk into our appointed places, and
as the soup was being handed round. Mr..
Hope addressed few ordinary remarks to
me. Then | began TO realize how shy
how stupid person was. The only words
my foolish tongue seemed capable of form
ing We're Yes and No" Connected
words had left me for an indefinite period.
/ felt my conversational shortcomings 50
acuteiy, that If was some little while before
was able TO look at my neighbor, except
fuItEyeiy and tImidly
lie Was tall, / knew; that fact bad made
itself manifest as we walked arm in arm.
had also received q sort of impression that
he was good-looking. At last. when able
10 really look at him. found that Mr..
Ramsays account, so far as il went. was a
true one.
The young man was undoubtedly
handsome. His eyes the features !
woman first looks at-vere good. GRAY,
decided, with dark lashas. His face was
pale, and bore look of refinement. His