New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-15

reluctant arm. the matron descended with me TO
the supper-room which was Just open.
What banquet that lady did get through, 4
thought the time would never come wnen sue
would cry, Hold, enough Lo6ster-salao a1d
scalloped oysters may onnaise and ortoLaah, coid
lamb and pigeon-pe, to say nothing OF tribes ana
tipsy-cake cream and Jelly. 1 fear did nothing
to restrain her, but on the contrary, In my own
reckless mood urged her on to fresh eHploles anu
pastures new After all she was old enough 70
know her own constitution, and what she coulu
really do. For myself, L could eat nothing, oue
the champagne for wonder was good, ana NatV
could hardly have called me cup 700 low Wheh
at last nv matrOn drew on her gloves, ana, Deani-
ing on me, for | had served her we'll announced
her readiness TO return ,.,l.
Arrived once more in the BALLROOM, Dethonght
me of my sisters advice, and set TO work dancing
with vgor Although late in the day, there was
no lack Of partners, the feminine element, as Is
usual at county balls, largely predomlnaIln9' L
was not an accomplished dancer ike Dakyh, or
Dalrymple of ours, but, animated by pque, ana
perhaps also by champagnee, 1 maze up Dy emery
for what lacked in skill. The floor was now IN
excellent condition, and after supper everybody
danced: and to the inspiriting strains OF the
Hopsc0tch Polka" even the jolly Droao-oacKed
squires who usually confined themselves 10 quauI
rifles and lancers, stamped merrlly around, tll
their rubcund faces were as scarlet as thelr hunt
coats | got on admirably. having several tlliies
for mariner my COlOnels wife, rather young
and very pretty brunette, and the pest nGy
dancer in the room. We were extremely nVey:
and / put out my best wit to draw the IRE ol
her brilliant dark eyes, that Ella might imagine
w. were in the midst of q hot Irritation. Pres
entity NV menoenyres. or rather Geraldine's be-
gan to have the desired effect. had percelVea
for some time that my recreant sweetheart was
covertly taking an interest in my movements anu
once she sighed slightly as We passed so nearly
that my sleeve brushed her shoulder knew tnaC
my time was coming, and that should n0U nave
to 90 home without at least an explanation.
After while Ella ceased to dance, and over
heard her evade Dalrymple's s, proposal that ne
chance had come Relinquishing my partner as
quickly 1 could, continued to stroll uncon-
cernedy past Ella, ignoring pleading look IRON
have to make the first advance. ms she dlu
rising and coming after me she laid her dear hand
upon my arm and said:
get some supper"
Has no one asked you?' I demanded sternly
Yes, two or three people. but L am more
hungry now; please take me-"
If you will tell me why you have treated me
you have DONE and say you are sorry, perhaps
/ will You must be very hungry to cry about
it, for | saw that her eyes, which had been so
coldly defiant all the evening" were now fun OF
tears.
Then. finding ourselves near to one Of the
curtained recesses, which was happily for the
moment unOCcupied drew her within 1t. NOW
tell me why you were SO cross and why you would
aware that l don't dance so we'll as DaRyn or
Dalrymple--"
I" You knew quite WELL" sobbed Ella. that
] would-would-a hundred times rather-d-d-
dance with you than either OF them"
Them why would you not when asked you?'
inquired pertlnently. ,
A g-g-girl surely has right to show her dis
pleasure when her-her lov--wEen you hadn't
written to her for more than month" protested
Ella. gradually getting the better of her sobs.
=" SO that's what's the matter with yOu!"
indignantly reioined. Then may presume you
had nothing to do with sending the last letter
Send your letter back Georgel Are you
mad, or am l 4? You dear, good old mani" she
resumed, when matters had been explained,
all the time
The place we were in was sufficiently screened
and the band making enough din TO allow Of our
consummating the reconciliation in the usual
lovers fashion,; after which we went to supper,
and this time, though the Yiands had suffered
considerably in the interval, found my appetite
So it is not correct that you have contracted
an engagement with my cousin during the period
of my disgrace?" L inquired as we stood together
for the last dance.
Certainly not sir. Are you ready? Now
mind you don't hurry the time"
That was the most delicious dance we ever had.
When it was over, Ella, who was staying with
some friends in town, had to go; her chaperone
was already yawning / shall look more sharply
after my correspondence in future" she said, as
she babe me goodnight. Mind, If Miss Sllttles
fails in her duty am ready for the Staff Corps
and India"
n9 except for Sty % not
Major Harness, the only good whip in the regl-
ment, who had driven Us over, was far too over
come by the heat of the room to take the ribbons
going home and the Chief would not allow any
of the youngsters TO drive; the champagne, he
said had been too good.
You must drive, Martindale" he said
a. Colonel? l have never driven four horses
in my life"
Then we must get man from the inn"
But, to avoid this indignity, l appealed to Nat.
Like Bird he said. So we put the Major
inside with his wife and the Colonel and young
Phpps who already asleep, and Natty took
the reins, with Geraldine in her furs on the
box beside him., while Mrs., Colonel and
with the other fellows got up behind them; and
away we went with lamps Haring, and horn toOt-
ling, and wheels humming through the sleeping
town, and out into the open country till the dawn
fooled us home in safety after delightful drive,
and then the indefatigabe youth, though he had
ridden four miles of the stfest part of the Crack
more Vale the preceding day and danced all night,
PLAYED nap until breakfast, after which he ac-
epted mount with the South Dorset, which met
that morning at the barracks.