The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-13

And While poor lilly wondered and wor-
ried, there was Peggy the unconscious cen
ter of all the wonder and worry, lifting up
a radiant face of enjoyment as she tioated
along to the music of the Morgan Blaetter
Tom Raymond. catching sight of this
radiant face, said to himself: II wonder if
she's engaged for the next dance. Ill ask
her the minute this is over.
Two girls were standing near their two
chaperones when Tom came up, and, with
an odd sort of %shyness, asked: Are You
engaged for the next dance, Miss-Miss
Smith?n
Iilly's heart gave a jump as she noted
Toms sudden confusion and hesitation at
this Miss Smith," for it brought back to
her his strange expression at the first sight
of Peggy, and his question, us that the
girl-the Miss Smith you were talking
about?" and then his odd. chuckling laugh.
Peggy, too, had regarded Tom at that
moment with a puzzled observation as IL
she wondered if she had seen him before;
and now. and now, as Tom hesitated and
buugled at the Miss Smith," PeQgy's own
manner showed signs of consciousness. if
not of embar rassment Oh, oh, what could
it all mean but that he had known every
thing from the first. And l fancied he
thought she wasn't quite fine enouRh; and
all the time he knew she was this Miss
Smithson, nad was keeping it to himself,
and knowing that, he's going to ask her to
dance with him now! Oh, what a good fell
low he is, and what injustice I've done
him" concluded lilly. 'If only Will now,
when he finds out" eS y
1t was just then that a voice called softly
from the open window behind hers Miss
lilly. Miss lilly" and there was viii beck
oning to her. what shall | do with that
paper?" he whispered az lilly turned. II
expect Agnes to be after me for it as quick
as she catches sight of mo again."
The window was n long French window,
and 1illy stepped out and joined him upon
the piazza. Come around hero where no.
body can SEQ or overhear u.s." she said. He
followed her down the steps to a sheltered
rustic seat.
You haven't read it?" she asked.
"Read it2 No.' Will answered a little
hutily. You asked me not to until l had
seen YOU"
lilly colored, and then, You are q gem
tleman!" she burst out vohemently.
well, | hope 80" Will answered.
And so is Tom Raymond. | had done
him such an injustice; but he's turned out
SO different from what l supposed he was.
Oh. he's just %splendid; and il you-but
here, I'm half ashamed to record it of my
pluoky little ~Tiliy-here, suddenly oyet-
come by all the excitement she had been
through, lilly broke dow and began to
cry. -,
oh, | say" cried Will. in boyish embar-
russment.
Poor lilly checked her sobs by a vigor-
| GUS effort, but tears continued To flow. and
she fumblsd vuinly for her handkerchief to
dry them.
Here, here. take mine," said Will. has
tily, thrusting the cambria into her hand,
"and don't You bother another bit about
| Agnes and her tRnttums. I'll burn her old
paper if you say so, and | won't read it Mt
ALL
"Oh. yes, yes. you'll have to read it now.
! She'll ask you-she'll tell you. Yes, read 1t.
read it. Will. / know you'll pity Peggy rs
grandmother and do" asE
Thus adjured VIII drew the bit of paper
from his pocket.
no BE CONTINUED.
Copyright 1892, by the author.