Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-02-08
the march; it's pretty there" she fall

doctors nephew. "li there's anything
Pve always adorcd and yearncd for it's
a willow arbor. You'll go:'
al don't KNOW" said Cora, wistfully.
But Mr.. Hill knew. Philo Wilson, ut
any rate, stood the next moment stariug
after their disappearing figures.
1t was not quite eleven by Mr.. Hills
handsome timc-piccc when they started;
but 1t was fully one when they got back
They had forgotten the picnic, almost,
wandering among the willows in some
thing more than cOntcntment, aud it was
n dire necessity to have to coIac hack to
it.
"But they'll be having dinner. you
sayI" said Mr.. Hill. Sand they'll eat
MT that long table, all togcthcrl Well.
III get scat b. you, by hook or crook"
But dinner was late. The liddcrs had
arrived, and been pressed into early ser
vice. The platform was filled with
waitzers-to get up their appctitcs, they
SAID, whiie their elders waited hungrily
Tor that process to be completed.
An" said the DOCTORS nephew,
biitheiy: "Will yon give me the first,
MISS Gilman, and rs many moro us your
card will permit"
They were laughing ut that MS they
went toward the platform But they
did not ascend it. Philo stood on the
lower stair, like spider in wait for u
fly.
'Tt's about time. seems to me" nc
observed, his dull face lighted by II spark
OF anger. '''ve ben looking round for
you Tor two hours. guess I'll have
the first dance, if you just as lief"
ihcrc was sharp resentment in his
palc-lashcd eyes.
Cora bit her red lips, her face aname.
But she spoke quietly.
"Mr. Wilson was nv escort. Mr.
HILL" she snid. II ID
She could not finish. She tried TO
smile, but her lips only trcmbled.
The DOCTORS nephew looked MIR. Wilson
over from head to foot, and bowed
silently, little palcr than his wont, and
turned away.
II didn't mean to mako you mad"
said lhilo, better disposed now that lie
triumphcd. but l was kind o. put
out. Your folks didn't like it, neither;
| told 'em you was off with him. Wal,
let's have waltz" he concluded, con.
scious of extreme magnanimity.
81 shall not Dance" said Cora.
Her pretty eyes blaZcd scornfully upon
him. He had told cher folks.n She
could have laughed il she had not been
so holly miserable. What did lie think?
"fou will find me scat, if YOU
please" she said.
But Philo nd not hear her. Yis ewes
were fixed on figure at n little distance
IA figure which walked unsteadily with
swinging arms.
elem Murray!' he muttcrcd, amazed
ly.
The eyes of the entire picnic were
focused on lem Murray and with equal
bcwildcrmcnt. 1em alone was uncon-
cerncd. lie was the chief blot on the
towns rcspcciability; n brainless fellow,
half shoemaker and half vagabond, gen
orally idle and never sober. How .Jcm
Murray Ind got to the picnic was n
startling mystery; but he was there un-
qncstionably, and us unquestionably
drunk.
His progress was not barred there
was some hesitation about barring it.
He staggered on, marking his course
with nmiablc comments.
"Nishe day, nishc plashc, nishe lot O.
girls. Keep right 'long"-for the fiddlcrs
had irrcsolutely stopred-"k right
long; goin' to have danshc m'sclf."
lie was grinning with the pleasure OF
this vague notion. 1t took clearer form
in his muddlcd head
Coin to have n danshc, he repeated.
'1lcrc-hcrc'sh girl now"
lie was standing before Cora, his
blinking eyes on her blanched face and
his shaking arm extended.
She caught ut her companion dcs-
pcratcdly; but Philo backed of, his face
as pale as her own. lie had never
tackled" lem Murray, and he did not
care to do it now
''Scc here, now" he began, weakly.
But lem was oblivious.
'Wal, IN wmtin'," he observed.
lie touched Cora's sleeve; but he did
10 more. lie was laid on his back the
next minute by q sharp blow on the
face, and the doctors nephew stood
thrcateningly above him. There were
half T. dozen others mcditating the same
net, hut the doctors nephew had dis
tanced them.
Philo stood open-mouthed. Cora was
nervolsly crying, but Mr.. Hills arm was
through hers protcctingly.
Jcm Murray was got on his feet md
hurried away by score of hards. and
the hero OF the occasion had an approx
ing group around him, and Cora's father
was of the number.
'Iou did that mighty neat" was the
general verdict.
II could not see lady insultcd," the
young man responded, little stiflly,
with an eye on Philo, and Phio grew
red under it.
Cora's tremulous fingers family pressed
her companions arm.
Come here, my girl, " said her father.
"You'rc all upset. Mr.. Hill, you've got
my gratitude" he declared, courteously.
But there was something in his voice
winch made his daughter look up Mt him
as he led her away
"You saw it," she said, anxiously.
"Yes. saw it. So did your mother. z"
Her father cleared his throat. a don't
know as ! care about your having much
more to owith that young Wilson. I've
always been in favor of him, but guess
he amt all reckoncd he was. Coming
to me, now, complaining of your being
off with that young fellow-wal, used
TO fight my own BATTLES. And standing
there like calf Just now when he ought
to be stirring, Wal, don't just admire
q coward"
Cora laughed gaspingly.