Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-10-23
CHAPTER VIII.
A "FFIIFRn

cess.
When Wanda entered the room she
found the men sitting on one side and
the women on the other, looking for all
the world like a parcel of school chill
drcn about to be whipped.
She was individually introduced to
every one present, and with great for
titude took each clammy hand in hers
and shook it cordially. She knew that
she was being inspected, and bore the
ordeal bravely, for the countenances of
the people were so devoid Of expression
that even her timid nature was reas-
Sured.
1t was not till she found herself stand
ing in front of a young man, whose
presence was remarkable among his
commonplace associates, that she felt
the least embarrassment. But, with his
dark eyes fixed intensely on her, she
could not repress little SILVER of re-
vulsion, and involuntarily bowed, in
stead of giving him her hand How
vcXcd she was to feel the blood
mantling to her cheek and notice the
tremOr of her voice as she replied to
his friendly greeting, for she knew that
the eyes of Martha and Huldah were on
her, and telat her confusion would be
miainterprcted.
Alphonse Damiens was certainly a
splendid animal, but it was not his fine
physique and handsome face which
chained her attention-it was an indie
Unable something, a soul-antipathy she
could not understand. He was in every-
thing remarkable. While Jabez Shorts
"bcst suit made him look like hog in
armor, instead of the honest carpenter
he really was, Damiens' clothes fitted
him to perfection-even the flaming
scarf he wore harmonized with the
gypsy type of his features. Surely there
was nothing very formidable in this
gOod-loolling young countryman-then,
why this fluttering sensation in his
presence?
1t was very provoking that the COM
pany seemed to have entered into a
conspiracy to give this rustic Don Juan
every opportunity to inflict his obnox-
ious attentions upon her, but she avoid
ed him as much as she could, though
she could never get quite beyond the
fixed gaze of his insolent admiration.
The crisis came at last. She had seat
ed herself in a low chair in a remote
corner, thankful for a little respite
from his prosecutions, when, noticing
her isolation, he flung himself on a seat
beside her and coolly rested his arm on
the back of her chair, while he said in
u tone of easy nonchalance:
"Say, Wanda--I may call you Wanda,
mayn't I?-if you will dismiss your pu-
pills at half-past three tomorrow after
noon will call around for you with my
buggy and span of blacks-they'll be a
u
old cripples-and I'll take you a spin
across country, wherever you please
Glastonbury, if you like, for the nights
are moonlit and the horses are fine as
silk
There was this plea for his insolence.
He honestly looked on Miss Arlington
from in his eyes higher social plan;
and in western villages familiarity be-
tween young people of opposite sexes
ripens with tropical growth unknown
to the cererHonious east.
She was ablaze in moment.
Mr. Damiens," she said, her face as
white as sheet and her lips quivering,
''Take your arm from my chair"
mo offense," he stammered, abashed
at her defiant beauty.
''And yourself from my presence"
He was too astonished to move.
II am sure I only meant to be friend
ly and -"
Poor girl, she never was intended by
nature to play high tragedy role, and
[ am afraid her supreme air Of frozen con-
tempt bordered rather on the ridiculous,
as she cast on him a glance of wither-
ing contempt and left the room, cheeks
flushing and lips quivering.
''uello, 'Phonse, what hev yer been a
sayin' ter teacher ter rile her SOP" old
Dolman asked. Her looked pison at
yer, as her went OUT
81 simply asked Miss Arlington to
ride in my new buggy tomorrow, and
- she declined" Damiens replied with
smile, meaning to assure the company
that he was immensely amused at her
behavior; but his passionate nature re-
belled against this assumed Indifference,
and before Mr.. Dolman could offer his
coincidence he burst out with uncon-,
trolled anger: Course the room! How
hot it is. Give me my hat, Jim Dolman,
and, for Heavens sake let me get
mouthful of fresh air.
Many were the comments made as he
strobe from the room and slammed the
door behind him, the men enjoying his
discontinue, the women, after the man
ner of their kind, unanimous in their
condemnation of the girls misconduct.
Such silly importance" remarked
one.
'Stuckup minxl'' sneered another.
City manners,I suppose" Martha in
simulated, with smile which expressed
commiseration for anyone brought up
in the communicating atmosphere Of Q
metropolis. But Jabez, to whom she
Hpadnua4pp no rrpam