Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-27
l Y.


When the feasting was at an end, and q
proper interval had been allowed for di-
gestion, the fddlers tuned up their instru-
ments and the dance commenced. The girls,
in fresh calico and muslin dresses. stood
squeezed together in the hall, giggling and
whispering. Somebody among them was
awtully witty, and made sarcastic observa-
tions on the men, which made the rest nearly
explode with laughter. The young lads
hung about the outskirts of the crowd,
advanced and again retired, with sheep
ish air, as their courage failed them. The
teasing encouragement of their friends and
rivals, no less than the suppressed merri-
ment of the girls made them shrink from
the decisive step.
This was the situation when Gunnar and
John Lawson came sauntering through the
hall. in earnest conversation. The grocers,
seeing the girls, suddenly lost his interert
in Hans Matson's disappearance, and with
a jaunty air strolled up to the blushing
throng.
"My, nv, how pretty we are" he ex-
claimed with an exaggerated mock admira-
ton, rolling his eyes toward the ceiling,
and making absurd grimaces; "I wonder
who is the prettiest of you; for mean to
have the prettiest or none."
He gently pushed himself into the midst of
the crowd. while the girls drew back about
him, laughing at his delightful wit Some
pushed back, and thus it happened that In
gerid Gretna was thrust right into Lawson's
arms, which promptly closed about her
waist. She was seriously annoyed, and
tugged and pulled to get herself free.
"
son, 81 won't bite you, my dear. You need
not be afraid of John Lawson"
But she was AFRAID, all the same, and cast
implorlng glances at Gunnar, who stood by,
looking at the scene without thought of in
ter ering.
II wish you would let me 60, Mr.. Law
Gon, begged the girl, with flushed, excited
face, 81 do wish you'd let me CO."
There was petulant ANNOYANCE in her
voice (which Lawson interpreted as mere
mock modesty, and even when the tears
started to her eyes he could not persuade
himself that she was in earnest.
why, l do really believe We are crying"
he said in surprise. "Well, well; you won't
even dance with me?"
Il am engaged to dance the first dance
with Gunnar Matson," cried Ingerid, re-
sorting to bold fiction in her anxiety to
escape from the odious fellows arms.
Gunnar, starting up as from a dream at
the sound of his name, stood for an instant
irresolute, but as soon as he took in the sit
uation, stepped forward and released the
girl.
You must excuse me, Mr.. Lawson" he
said, without the least excitement, dbut.
since this is my dance, you'll have to be
content with the next"
He had no desire at all to dance; but, OF
course, when girl appealed to him in
distress, he could not consult his own incli-
nation. Lawson, who was not at all bad
fellow, gave an awkward laugh and grabbed
hold of the next girl in the crowd, who
proved to be less skit:ish. The ice was now
broken, and the other lads, overcoming their
bsshiulness, started forward with one ac-
cord, and swung dozen more girls out upon
the floor.
Gunnar, when be had once begun to move
to the rhythm of the music, felt a kind of
intoxication in his blood, and he danced
with vehemence which must have taxed
his partners strength. There was a battle
raging within him. This sweet. blonde,
trustiul girl, whom he held in his arms. who
so radIsntly to every glance he
sent her; she was his Morse past. and his
Morse future, too; small aims and endeayors.
an idyllic resignation and contentment in
small things, narrow concentration of in
terest upon food. clothes and petty econ
omies, relieved by little theological
about the pure Lutheran faith. |