Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-11-14


paper lanterns, starring trees and shrubs,
and the fifty-odd pretty women in pretty
gowns, and the orchestra from the city,
playing delicioussy somewhere out OF
sight-it was rather dazzling and i'm
pressive.
Wallace Oakley stood alone and list
lessly after the-was it the second dance
or the tenth7 He hardly knew. He had
danced; but how2 with whoml
He had said to himself hundred
times that other fellows had gone through
such things and that he could He was
saying it now, grimly; but his heart
ached.
SIS it Mr.. Oakley7" a voice said,
hghtly-Mary Hendersons.
He had known it almost before she had
spoken. She stood before him in her
white gauzes, her big blue fan shading
her fair cheek.
There was a quizzical look in her
pretty eyes which he understood. 1t
was customary to ask charming hostess
for an early dance, and he had not done
it.
''It is l." he said, solemnly.
'Do you know plenty of young ladies2"
she said, gently. 81 will introduce
you"
"Plenty, thank you!''
Gas though l had offered you more
tean' said Miss Henderson, nervously
laughing. "Do you like the arrange
ments9 Mr.. Gilforth helped me with
them-my cousin-in-law. He surprised
us all by coming this afternoon"
"Surprised yous" said Wallace,
sharply.
eve never know what Dudley is going
to do" said Miss Henderson, smiling.
''You will meet him this time; he's to
stay over Sunday"
It was shy intlmation that Wallace
would call Sunday. It would have sent
a warm thrill through him once.
81 shall be in the city by Sunday" he
said. briefly.
''Ohl" she murmured; "and for how
long2"
"Igo back for good, Miss Hender-
son." said Wallace.
Was it hurt amazement she showed or
only polite semblance of it? Certainly
she had never looked so lovely. One
gloved hand pulled at leaf; her yellow
hair cleaned, her red lips were softly
parted, her blue eyes looked starry.
"We're to say good-by then?" she said.
"I-didn IT,"
"What?" cried somebody, vivaciously.
'You didn't what, Mary?'
ooh, Kitty!" said Miss Henderson,
slowly. "Kitty, Mr.. Oakley-Miss Car
ter"
She turned away TREMENDOUSLY smiling,
and Wallace was alone with Miss Carter.
She was something under five feet, and
did not reach Wallaces shoulder. She
had black eyes, blacker hair, vivid
complexion and tilted little nose.
She wore pink dress and carried
crimson roses. She reminded Wallace of
a gorgeous little butterfly.
'NoW, why did Mary leave me to
bore you?" she demanded, looking up
with a pout; and Wallace smiled per-
force.
''Shall we try this waltz?" he said.
GA waltz" said Miss Carter. 81
can't resist that love to waltz!"
She talked on while they waltzed. If
her petite charms had surprised Wal
lace, her powers eff loquacity amazed
him.
Miss Carter talked constantly; she
talked in an explanatory and italicized
manner; she talked till the dance ended,
and she was fairly out of breath.
"Let's sit down, she painted. "There,
what lovely place! behind that palm
do coaI HnioJyl hofora
gets it!
She giggled girlishly as she pulled him
down the platform steps, and then sat
sparkling up at him-and talking.
''Isn't it delightful Mary has such
taste! And so many here? Lots of pretty
girls, aren't there2"
Wallace reused himself.
"Ah, we'll" he said, tormentingly,
and Miss Carter laughed in delight.
''Oh, how rude! was just going to
remark how homely the men are this
evening; composite picture would be
awful Except--except-"
Miss Carter clasped her hands and
leaned forward. A tall, dark, dignifedly
handsome man slowly crossed their line
of vision.
Except Mr.. Gilforth! Oh, always
excepting him. Miss Carter murmured,
turning upon Wallace a mischievously
laughing gaze.
He had never encountered so kittenish
a yong person, certainly. But his har
rasst d IN nd was elsewhere.
s'AIr. Gilforth?" he repeated.
"Why, Mr.. Dudley Gilforth!" said
MICS Carter, with impressive emphasis.