The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-11-24

| short he brought every reason 10r MS ab-
tendance except the real one And this
was that having an expensive upright
| piano which she could not play, Mrs. Brown
always included Francie, who sang and
played dlvinely, in her invitations to those
informal gatherings"
| Mr.. Blake did not appear as usual at
supper The monotonous tread of slip
pcred feet pacing back and forth in his
room and tho strong smell of tobacco
smoke, which drifted through the tran
som, would seem to indicate an abortive
attempt at drowning his sorrows in the
overflowing bowl of his meorschaum.
Most rooms exhibit certain character
istics of their occupants. Thus, Mrs Theo-
dosia Browns might be described in a
word-showy. There was certain gar
ishncss of color everywhere visible, from
the elaborately framed oil paintings
against their background of heavily gilt
paper, to the portiere and insidcI curtains
and figured silk upholstery of the furnl-
ture.
But it all looked very cheerful and
pleasant in the subdued glow from the
gas chandeliers to the eyes of the dozen or
more invited guests on the Thanksgiving
evening of which / write. At least, so
they all remarked as a sort of opening
chorus, and we all know that what every
one says must be perfectly true
The menagerie was, generally speaking,
in somnolent condition. The pet alli-
gator, relegated to the small ante room out
of consideration to Mr.. Putter's feelings
was presumably dormant in his box. The
Angora cat slept contentedly on Turkish
rug before an open CRATE of glowing an
thracite. The parrot slumbered-or pre-
tended to-in his swinging perch in the
big bay window. One of the pugs snored
on u corner cushion. The whereabouts of
the other was made known directly after
the entrance of Rev. Mr.. Putter.
Being nearsighted he had not seen that
the canine was occupying the newest easy
chair, into which the reverend gentleman
dropped heavily, to spring lightly and
hastily up with a short, sharp shrek that
was drowned in ear piercing yelps.
But even this agreeable incident which
convulsed several of the worldlings pres
ent with secret but unseemly laughter
tailed to chase the gloom from the brow
of young Mr.. Blake. In vain Mrs Brown
vouchsafed her sweetest smiles, while
equally vain were the attempts of Miss
Dasher, very decollete young woman, to
lure him to her side With an air of
Byronic melancholy that closely resembled
sullenness, he stood afar off following
with his eyes every movement of pretty
Francie, to whom, on entering, he had
vouchsafed the most formal of bows.
Indeed, so marked had been his coldness
that Francie, who was perfectly unconven
tional. had asked, with gentle surprise in
the depths of her dark eyes:
"Have l done any thing to offend you,
Mr.. Blake?"
''It isn't what you have done, but what
you haven't" he answered, rather bitter
~. And his eyes had rested so strangely
on her little lace pin at her throat that,
Francie put up her slim
hand to see if any thing was wrong there.
II do not understand you," France had
simply answered And as poor Blake, full
of jealous bitterness forbore to explain,
Francie drew herself up rather proudly
and walked away.
But is it this that gives the simple touch
of pain to her marvellous contralto voice
which a few moments later thrills the
listeners, as
under the artists flying hand
The white keys rse--the white keys fall"
Hark-
~ am tired-heart and feet
Turn from busy mart and street.
/ am tired-rest is sweet.
IL am tired. Loss and gain,
Golden sheaves and scattered grain,
Hath the day not passed in vain"
~ do not feel in the mood for singing TO.
night" she said, somewhat abruptly, ris |
ng as she spoke, to be at once taken pos
session of by young Golden, to Blake's in |
ward wrath and despair. And then, in |
reaction of reckless defiance, Dick began
irting fast and furious with Mrs. Theo- |
iosia Brown, who, resplendent in old gold |
md diamonds, was but too ready to re-
'pond to such marked advances.
And while Francie and Dick thus played |
1t cross purposes the evening wore on in |
.he usual way. The guests talked little |
scandal, considerable gossip, and between |
rubbers of whist introduced enough liter |
Try conversation to give the correct tone to |
lhe occas ION, till the entrance of the cOlored |
waiter with tray on which were glasses |
Of egg nogg.
Even Rev. Mr. Putter considered that a |
mild potation of this kind was allowable |
on Thanksgiving eve, and accepted the |
agreeable beverage with cheerful smile. |
1t was perhaps trife unfortunate that |
ne chanced to take his place, goblet in |
land, directly under the swinging perch |
IF the observant parrot, who just then was
very wide awake.
For as Mr.. Putter, elevating the goblet |
md clearing his throat, was about to- -er-
propose toast, the wretched bird, cock
ng his head downward and fixing his hard,
eye with infinite meaning upon
Mr.. Putter, remarked sepulchrally:
Let up pray"
or course only wrong minded people,
given to unseemly levity, would see any
hing to laugh at in this, which was per-
iaps the reason that such a general chorus
If severe coughing followed the injudicious
while a number of faces were
averted Old Bynner, 1t is true,
shouted "Haw! haw" and young Golden
rev purple to his ear tips with sup.
pressed mirth. but these two didn't count
1t was Dick Blake who, coming to the
'escue of his embarrassed hostess tried
N-