Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1889-10-19
TAKEN By SIEGE.

tnoy CUIno0 On W tuo uOAo VI tA0
Archers, on Gramercy park. The moon
was shining brightly upon this exclusive
little park, and upon the ladies in their
handsome wraps who were running gay
ly up the Archers' front steps and disap-
bearing in blaze Of gas Light through
the door. This was to be Rush's intro
duction to New York society-a thing he
had heard good deal about and regard
cd with more or less awe. He was just
at an age when society is most attractive.
He was very susceptible to beauty, and
he considered Helen Knowlton the most
beautiful woman he had ever seen. And
20 she certainly was, for she was the
only beauty he had seen who was not OF
a more or less rustic type, and. notwith-
standing his country bringing up, he had
little taste for rusticity in women. This
first appearance in the social world was
q great excitement to him, and he was
very much afraid that he would do some
thing in violation Of the proprieties. So
he determined to do as his friend Tilling
hast did: and he could not have had q
better guide in such matters. To Archie
he said nothing about his embarrassment,
and there was nothing in his manner to
lead his friend to suspect it.
The two young men. as the ladies had
done before them, ran lightly up the
steps and entered the hall, where Rush
almost had his breath taken away by the
dazzling light and the perfume Of flowers.
He followed Archie upstairs. where they
left their topcoats; and. taking parting
glance at himself in the mirror to see
that his tie had not ridden up over his
collar and that his hair was not too
much rumpled, he descended with Archie
to the drawing room. Here a gorgeous
scence presented itself. The long rooms
were brilliantly lighted with wax candles
and decorated with more flowers than
Rush had ever seen together In his life.
The ladies were dressed In their finest
Paris gowns; but it was not 80 much the
dressing as the want of 1t that astonish-
ed our young countryman-theo older the
ladies were, the less they seemed to fear
the cold.
Archie presented him at once to his
uncle and aunt and to his cousin Bessie,
for whom Rush Immediately conceived
the friendliest feelings Bessie Archer
certainly was an attractive girl She
was handsome and well made, and she
looked like q girl who enjoyed good
health. Her complexion was brilliant,
her teeth dazzling and her clear, gray
blue eyes looked as strong as an eagles
Although she was an exceptionally clever
girl. she was not a bit Of prig. and her
manner was remarkable for its cordiality.
When she took Rush by the hand she
gave him such firm, pleasant grip that
he said to himself, "Here is a girl worth
knowing; she shakes hands like a man;
none Of your flimsy, lackadaisical touch.
ing Of the fingers, such as some girls
give" And Bessie liked Rush at once. She
had heard such pleasant things about him
from Archie that she was naturally pref.
udiced in his favor; and it was impossi-
Bile to look in his honest, manly face and
not like him. "Now, Hurlstone, old fel-
low" said Archie, after introducing his
friend to his cousin, Il will leave you to
Cousin Bess' tender care and go where
duty calls"
I'm sure you could not leave me
where would rather be" said Rush, as
glibly as though he had been "in society"
all his life.
perhaps you will have different
tale to tell when Archie comes back"
said Cousin Bess.
~ shall only speak more positively
then," replied Rush, with bow that
Count d'Orsay might have envied.
At that moment the band, stationed in
another room, struck up the music of a
waltz, and there was a general move
ment of pleasant anticipation among the
young people. Their elders drew up
along the wall, and the dancers took
their places on the floor.
"Do you dance, MIR. Hurlstone" asked
Miss Archer. If you do, l will give
you this waltz. was saving it for
Archie; but the poor fellow has not fin
ished his days work yet"
mo. Miss Archer" replied Rush, 81
do not dance. l have heretofore looked
upon q dancing man with a feeling of
superiority; but now regard him with
envy, and for the first time regret that
the steps of the waltz are a sealed book
to me-"
81 am very sorry, too; for l am afraid
you are going to have dull time, as this
b dancing company tonight. How
ever, will try and find young lady
whose conversation will in measure al
leviate your disappointment. Will you
take something intellectual or something
frivolous?" As Miss Archer asked this
question, her eyes turned towards two
ladies standing on the opposite side Of
the room
Rush's eyes followed hers. and he an
swered, Something frivolous, please"
So they threaded their way among the
dancers, and he was introduced to Miss
Gertie CASTOR.
"How Is it you are not dancing this
evening, Miss CASTOR" Rush inquired, fol
he felt quite sure that she was one Of the
dancing girls
"Do you want to known