West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-02-07


ence which he had assumed, gu te
motion ess.
de felt no desire TO smile; he was too
much shocked and appalled, for that.
Good heavens, this was far worse than
anything he had imagined. His head
Ia rly buzzed; he sat staring at Dora's
sister in utter blankness.
Pretty big place you've got here,
hain't yo1g" Miss Trumbull proceeded.
her cordiality unaffected by his silence.
'Con'iderable bigger'n Gordon Centre,
guess. l hain't never ben in cities
much, and l get kind o. turned round
IN 'em. don't know as should like
It living here. It's so kind o. lonesome.
meeting SO many people you amt
acquainted with Why. in Gordon
Centre there amt ANYBODY in town YOU
dont know and IL YOU do see a stranger,
1t amt very hari to end out who Ills"
Burton gasped. Was il possible that
Cora could have believed what she had
SAID abont her sister. Yes; he reflected
that Fora had not seen her before for
some time, and her fondness for her, and
her good tempered admiration Of e cry
body, had done the TEST.
Burton gazed at her Her clothes did
not III she had string of beads on, and
blue bow aud breast pin at her neck,
and red ribbons on her hair. Pretty7
es, she was undeniably pretty; that he
admitted freely. But stylish. and not
provincial2 What could Dora have been
thinking of
The young man passed his hand across
his forehead weakly.
Il s'pose I'd have ben here long ago, "
Dora's sister went on, serenely, ''if |
hadn't ben OF TO school. Dora, she's
told you I've ben to boarding-school for
Tour years, i s'pose1 Most all the Cor
don Centre girls get along with what
learning they can get TO home, and l
think myself it's plenty. But pa, he
thought different, and ma joined in with
him. She most generally does. don't
know as learnt much The East Low
vile Seminary don't amount to so terri
ble much. East Lowville amt so big as
Gordon Centre: but pas satisfied, l
s'pose. Ever ben out our wayf"
al have never had that pleasure" !"
Burton contrived to say.
''Well, it's real likely place, Gordon
Centre is, il it amt so big as some.
There's considerable going on most all
the year. There'd ben two sociables
the week before come away, and there
was going TO c warm sugar party that
night, hated to miss it. DO you have
Burton took out his watch and dazedly
consulted ii.
"We have no soc'ables uor warm sugar
parties, he esponded, grimly.
And then he rose.
Il am sorry to be obliged TO 90; but |
have AN engagement at twelve, he said,
bowing.
lewould have retired without further
ceremony, but Dora's sister intercepted
HIM with outstretched hand.
''Goodness! you hain't ben here above
fifteen minutes" she said, regret 'ully.
'Well, come in agan-drop in any time.
DON know jest how long I'll here
long as Dora'll keep me, j s'pose."
She talked on with friendly conf
dence, accompanying him to the door.
and standing by while he put on his hat
and overcoat.
He was aware, as he went rapidly
down the street, that she was standing
In the doorway and watching his de.
parture.
He spent the rest of the day in trying
TO forget Dora's sister, but ne found il
not altogether possible; he had been too
deeply astonished and horrifed. He
had no. expected much he reflected
somewhat wrathfully over n cigar in his
o ice; but what he had found And
Dora's description Surely love and
sisterly love particularly-wa blind.
He was glad it was the night of the
Gills's reception If anything was calcu-
lated to remove unpleasant impressions.
II was one OF the Gills's receptions. He
wondered, with qualm, whether Alfred
and Dora would Ro--and take Miss
Trumbull. CT course they had cards
Well, at least he could keep a safe dis
tance.
Almost the first person he saw, as he
entered the Gills's spacious but crowded
/ rooms, was his sister-in- law. She
J greeted him eagerly.
I'VE were so afraid you wouldn't be
here. j do want Lu to have a good
I time, and IL will be so much nicer 20
have somebody she knows. You'll take
her out for the first set, won't your un-
less she's engaged" "
"Miss Trumbull 10 herel" said Burton.
wretchodly.
why, yes, Of course" Dora re eioined.
briskly. There she Is. Doesn't she look
lovelyl And she's taking so we'll Mr..
Sanford has been with her ever since we
came, and he never looks at n girl. But
| don't want him to get the first set,
Burton dear. Do hurry"
Eho tDOh hih AIHht leu MIN over TO the
group she had been watch ng, and
tripped away
The group was composed Of one Young
lady and elk gentlemen; and the young
lady was DOra's sister.
she smiled on Burton graciously. and
went on talking 70 Mr. Sanford. who
looked radiant, bestowiug an occasional
smile upon one Of the other five young
men, who ia turn looked happy.
She wore charmingl fashioned.
perfectly fitting, and wonderfully pretty
gown, and she looked dazzlirgly p city
herself Her sole ornament was bunch
Of roses at her cOrsage
She waited her black gauze fan. and
sparkled across IL in all the glory Of
black eyes, white teeth and pink cheeks.
"Oh, ] don't know that am prepared
to admit that, Mr.. Sanford. " she was
saying, with q light laugh. 'qm aware
OF the vanity and shallowncss Of society
in general; but dent admit that every
individual composing society is vain or
shallow. ] believe that good share OF
the pleasure e-scekers-those who seem
mere pleasure scekers--are as serious at
.