The morning call., 1890-07-29
THE LEAP-YEAR BALL

she FASTENED to the door. seized the paper
and forthwith began to devour its contents.
She first looked at the column OF marriages
and was shocked to perceive that the Wld-
oW Wade had been married in the next
town.
81 should think" she murmured, with
slight tiuge of bitterness in her tone, that
one husband was her full allowance. am
sure if | had been married once, and hau
the misfortune to lose my husband, L
wouldn't &c to insulting his memory by
marrying again"
Clarissa did have little reason to be Jeal-
GUS. for she had never been married at all,
and it was rather tantalizing to see others
picking up two husbands who, as she prl-
vately thought, hadn't half her attractions.
But then people cam railways judge correctly
where they themselves are in question, ana
somehow the men, who were most import
ant judges in this matter, did not happen 10
agree with Miss Clarissa.
However, 1 must return TO my heroine,
who continued to look over the columns OF
the paper. At last her eye lighted on the
following editorial paragraph;
I'VE understand that the ladies, with their
accustomed enterprise, propose to give
lsap-year ball on the 18th inst. at Washing
ton Hall. The managers are ladies, and 1t
is expected that ladies will issue the invita-
lions and foot the OlllS. n g00u time IS con-
fidently expected.
That's a good idea" said Miss Clarissa,
her ewes sparkling with anticipated pleas
ure. It's only right that the ladies should
now and then have chance to exercise
their power of choice. | havn't been to
ball for | don't know how many years-for
L tot i.
I'm determined to attend, II have to ask
every man in town before l ind one That
will CO. Let me see-who had better
invlte?"
This was rather an important query, but
at length ClarisSa fixed upon one. VINO she
thought was Just the man To ask. His name
was Jonathan BurrIll, Il carpenter by trade,
and a good easy sort of man, who found ii
the hardest work in the world to say no!
To tell the truth, il was mainly on this
popularity of MIR. Burrill tnat ClarlsSa
counted. She knew there was less lear OF
getting the mitten from him than from any
one else whom she might ask, aud tins was,
of course, an important consideration.
Besides-aud here comes reason number
two-Mr. Burrill was bachelor, and she
thought-but no matter! What she thought
will appear in the sequel.
"Its best to be early on the ground,
thought Clarissa. $50 guess III run out
and invite Mr.. Burrill at once; The break
fast dishes can wait till | get back.
Accordingly she threw on Eer bonnet and
shawl, and hastened to the shop in which
Jonathan BurTill usually worked, hoping
earnestly that she find him alone.
Fortune favored our heroine. affording
her fair field for her purpose.
John BurrIll was at his bench planning.
"Huw do you do, Mr.. Burrill?" said Miss
Cla1issa in her sweetest tones.
How do you do, Miss Perkins? ?" said the
carpenter, gUod-natUredly. lie was at first
at seeing his visitor, but supposed
she might have some little job for him to do.
"a fine morning, Mr.. Burrlll," said Miss
Clarissa, feeling little baSh1ul, now that
she fairly had change to give her invita-
ton.
"Yes, it's about as pleasant as it need to
be-" said the carpenter. 1t seems all the
pleasanter after the bad weather we have
had"
ClariSsa hesitated and then added, Have
you seen this mornings paper, Mr.. Bur
No; the boy hasn't got around to me
vet | suppose he calls on you early, as
you live near the printing Office. Is there
anything interesting In the paper this
week."
lis there? i hadn't heard of it. When
ION Wednesday evening. The ladies
are to invite the gentlemen, furnish car
riages and pay all the bills"
"That last is good idca,' said Mr.. Bur
rill, laughing.
to take their turn once IN while.
shall for one, aud Eve ceme over to ask
you if you wont go with me"
80, yes, certainly" said the carpen-
ter, little confused and good deal disap-
pointed for there was certain young girl
with black eyes and dimples don't think
that the dimpleS were black, only the eyes
who he hoped would give him an invita-
tiun. Besides, he knew that his cOmpan-
ions would puke fun at him. However, he
couldn't say no, and so lie answered as j
have related.
Very WELL" said Clarissa, with satisfac-
ton. II will call for you at I o'clock"
"fhank you, Miss Perkins" said Jona-
than, awkwardly.
In the course of the forenoon the young
lady with dimples before mentioned called
in at the shop and gave an invitation Sim
liar to that of Miss Perkins.
"Pd like to go with you," said Jonathan,
disconsolateiy, but can't; I'm engaged"
ITO whom, if may ask?"
"To Miss Clarissa Perkins,"
Instantly there was a peal of merry
laughter in which Jonathan entered but
Il congratulate you on your choice, Mr..
BurrilI," said the young girl, roguishy.
''1hank you" returned the carpenter
But don't deserve your congratulatioe,ns,
1t was the choice of the lady, not mine"
But you agreed to 60"
"How could 1 get off when she asked
me?"
''You didn't want to-don't tell me-"
said the girl saucily. Il might feel bad
about getting the mitten If it were anybody
else, but | know that | can't compare with
the beautiful and charming Miss Clarissa
How long have you been interested in her,
Mr.. Burrill? ?"
Now don'ttorment me so. 1t isn't fair,
1 declare. I've great mind to be sick, and
not be able to go"
"Fie upon you. Nh. Burr1ll, am ashamed
of you. You would break the heart of
your lovely partner. You can't back out
now"
Il am afraid / can't" said he ruefully.
However, Mr.. Burrill, will ask Miss
Clarissa to let me dance with you once dur
ing the evening"
Thank you'll hope you will. l should
not want to have to dance with her all the
time"
Time slipped away. and brought at length
the evening of the ball.
Miss Clarissa's needle had been actively
employed upon new dress, In which she
proposed to appear on the occasion. She
thought very justly, that she had so few
opportunities to appear in public RS belle,
she would make the most Of this. She felt,
too, that II was no time to be economical
so she called early at the livery stable, and
engaged the best horse and sleigh for the
occasion.
Who knows what it may lead to ?" she
thought with eKultation.
She drew up in fine style before the resi-
dence of her partner, and he came t,look-
ing little sheepish.
OF course Miss Clarissa drove The la
dies were determined to ''go the whole fig
ure," as the phrase is, and for the evening
to assert all the rights which one year IN
four c0nfers upon them.
81 hope you are warm," said Miss Clar-
issa, CALAMITY.
"Quite so, thank you," was the.subdued
reply.
Washington Hall, at which the ball was
to be held, was some four miles distant
from the middle of the town. 1t was n
pleasant evening and the distance between
the two parts Of the town was speedily
passed over.
Leaving her horse at the hotel, Miss
Clarissa walked over to the hall with her
partner ana paid for the tickets of admis-
siou.
will not describe the evening in detail.
IL would take entirely too long. | will only
say that Mr.. Burrill was Obliged to dance