Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-08-22


not be Nannie's figure, after all What
had the Partisan tailor done with the
firm, supple waist-laced it into these pro-
raortons? Mamie had never walked
ti.at way perhaps because in Brookville
sue had not worn French heeled shoes
and trailing gowns. Her fair hair was
F.iled high on her head like golden hel,
met, and in it waved white egrette,
like martial plume indeed. Diamonds
sparkled on her soft, pink neck that he
had never seen before, and on her white
arms, which were bare just below her
shoulder, while the long gloves wrinkled
away.
He had ofttimes pictured to himself
Mamie in evening toilet, but he had
always thought of her clothed in some
fieecy, cloudlike material, simply draped,
which should half reveal, and half con-
ceal her beautiful neck and arms and
shoulders; her face would be as he had
always seen it, sweet and loving, framed
by its golden hair, coiled low upon her
neck.
Here was the peerless maiden he had
chosen from a galaxy of beauties, be-
jeweled and modishly dressed; where
was his Mamie now?
He followed the two to the ball room;
she leaned coquettishly upon her partners
arm, Rob Vanderpoole's, and smiled up
into his eyes. 1t seemed to Harold as if
her very lips had 10 t their old time curve
and sweetness; it was more like the con-
scious smile of the woman of the world.
In another moment the two were floating
down the room together. Harold had
never seen her waltzing, he had never
seen another mans arm around her-his
Mamie!
But on they went, round and round,
away from him forever.
When the dance was over he eagerly
made his way to her side; but she was
surrounded by men, all begging for a
dance. He felt like ordering them away
from her What right had they to come
between him and his dear one? Had she
not seen him? She made no sign.
The orchestra began playing: the group
scatter to find partners, leaving one of
its number beside Harold.
"Nanne!" he cried, his soul in his
eyes. She pressed her partners arm a
little to check him, and half turned her
head. She swept Harold from head to
foot with well bred glance, and with
little uplifting of her brows, as if in sur
prise.
"Oh, Mr. Hartranft! how do you do
thought you were not expected until
tomorrow night"
Harry stammered a few words, then
added something about the pleasure of
waltz.
My card is full, and this dance has
begun, she said, as she moved away.
But shall | not take you to supper?"
"Oh, yes, you will join us; but my
dance has begun, you must pardon me-"
and she turned to her partner with daz-
zling smile.
Harold strobe angrily away, and found
his sister.
"You dear brother!" she said in de-
light; "this is surprised"
"Yes, perhaps so Mamie said So"
"Ah, have you seen Mamie? She is
looking so well, and is great belle this
season." she smiled. "Do you not think
her improved?"
"She is greatly changed, " he said Bit
terly.
"She is a wonderfully bright pupil
you would have never known at her first
party but that she had been brought up
in New York.
Harry turned impatiently away.
What fool he had been! Was this
his reward? 1t was too cruel Mamie
no longer loved him. She gave him no
word of welcome; she had shown no
wish to talk with him; she called him
Mr.. Hartranft, he must now speak to her
as Miss Richards-his Mamie.
The next morning when he came down
stairs he found her wearing her riding
habit.
Good morning." she said graciously,
but yet barring out all personality by her
manner; sit is beautiful morning for
riding"
Are you going with me?" he eagerly
asked.
Again she lifted her brows.
at is hardly considered good form to
ride alone with young man, is it? Oh,
here is Mr.. Vanderpoole and his groom
now," and with bow she swept out.
That afternoon she rode after the hounds.
Harold saw that she was an excellent
horsewoman, and Mr.. Vanderpoole pre-
sented her with the brush. In the even
ing they went together, with his sister,
to Mrs. Atwater's musicale.
Il think you might have kept this
evening free from engagements if you
were expecting me, he whispered pa
thetically but before she had chance
to reply Mr.. Vanderpoole had offered his
escort to the carriage.
THAT will be an engagement, he
heard some one say.
All, Mamie was false to him. Did he
deserve it?
The harmonies made strange discords
to his ears that night, and he left
Mrs. Atwaters musicale early in the
evening and walked to the cliff. He staid
there by the sea until very late.
When he came back he was in no mood
for sleep, but went out on the upper ve-
randa. In a corner where the shadow
was deepest he distinguished figure.
His heart beat yiolently-it was Mamie
He could see that she was leaning her
head on her hands. Well, now was his
best time to speak to her; they might as
well understand each other, and if sho
no longer loved him-he stepped nearer.
Mamie, " he said softly, with pain in
his tone.
"Oh, Harry, Harry |" and he felt her
l, L.