Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-09-21
Part 1 Continued

dowdy. L am convinced she can't waltz.
IT was truly putting old friendship TO
the test to expect it of me. And of
all things I do detest a bread-and- butter
miss. You can see ut Il glance that this
n has never left a country village
before. She
But his further condolences were in
teIrupted by the arrival of Mr.. Marin
der In search of his wife.
You don't care to stay any longer,
i SUPPOSE" said the newcomer.
"Oh, no; i am quite ready. / was en-
= gagged for this dancc-the tenth, isn't
it? But L am tired and it doesn't mat
ter. My partner, whoever he was, can
find some one else. Goodnight, MIR.
Norreys."
"Let me go with you to the door at
least" he replied. I'll look about for
that girl In black on my way. s o that
&c L don't see her I can honestly feel l
have lone my duty"
Then there came a flutter and rust
ling. and Miss Fforde knew hat her
neiehbors had taken their departure.
She waited an instant, and hen came
out of her corner.
He is not likely to come back to
look for me in this room" she thought;
but in case he possibly should, I'll
shall not hide myself"
She had had II moments sharp con-
fict with herself before arriving at
this decision, and her usually pale face
was still family flushed when, slowly
making his way I'm the direction of the
sofa where she had now consDicuOusly
placed herself, she deserted Mr.. Nor
.rcys.
Our d~ance-the tenth-I believe" he
said, with IN eXaggeration OF indifler-
ence, sounding almost Is il he wished
10 irritate her into making some excuse
to escape.
In her place nine girls out of ten
would have done so, and without
troubling themselves TO hide their in
disnation. But Maisie Ffordc was not
one OF those nine. She rose quietly
from her seat md took his arm.
Yes" she said, sit is our dance"
Something IN her voice or tone made
aim glance at her with a shade more
attention than he had hitherto condo
seconded TO bestow on Mrs. Engle-
woods protegc." She was looking
straight before her: her features,
which he now discovered to be delicate
in outline and almost faultlessly regu-
lar in their proportions, wore an ex-
preston of perfect composure; only the
slight, very slight rose flush ON her
cheeks would have told to n who
knew her well of some inward excite
ment.
by Joye.' thought Despard, "she's
almost pretty-no, prettys not the
word.
Inever saw a face quite like IL before.
~Isuppose L didn't look at her, she's so
n b,Ly+ ot lnauf co InSnnr1tplV ni1InlN
dressed. / don't, however. suppose she
can talk, and I'd bet any money she
can't dance"
AS regarded the first OF his predic-
lions, she gave him ut present no oppor-
tunity of judgiiig. He haZarded some
commonplace remark about the heat
OF the rooms; she replied by a mono
syllable. Despard began To get angry.
Wont talk, whether she can or
not" he said to himself. when n sec
ond observation had met with no bet
ter luck. He glanced around the
ROOM; all the other couples were either
dancing or smiling or talking. He be
came conscious Of n curious sensation
as disagreeable rs novel he felt as Ii
he were looking ridiculous.
He turned again to his partner In a
sort of desperation.
WIFI YOU uilCc. ut Sdlu, anu Ills
tone was almost rough; it had en-
tirely lost it's usual calm, half-insolent
indifference.
Certainly" she said, while 4 scarcely
%perceptible smile family curved her
lips. 1T Is, 1 suppose, what we are
standing up here for, is il not?"
Despard grew furious. 'She is laugh
ing at me-" he thought. ''Imperti-
nent little nobody. Where in heavens
name has Gertrude Englewood un-
earthed her from? Upon my soul, 1t
is the very last time she will see me at
her dances!"
And somebody l. 10Th by ybgkrdin
And somehow his discontinue was
not decreased by a glance, and almost
involuntary glance, at Miss Fforde as
they began to dance. h was certainly
not striking in appearances; she was
middle-sized, barely that, indeed; her
dress was now, he began to perceive,
plain with the ~plainness of intention,
not of ignorance or economy. But yet.
with ii all-no, he could not honestly
feel that he was right; she did not lock
like "a nobody"
There was a further discovery III
store for him. The girl danced beauti-
fully. Mr.. Norreys imagined himself
I TO have outliyesi all enthusiasm ON such
! subjects, but now and then, i'm spite
of the role which was becoming second
nature TO him, u bit of the old Despard
the hearty. mnspoilt boy-cropped out,
J so TO speak, unawaIcs. This happened
i i-st now-his surprise had to do with
It.
You dance perfcctly-exquisitcly!"
4 he burst ont when ut last they stopped.
v II was his second dance that evening
4 only: neither he nor Miss Fforde was
y the least tired. and the room was no
i longer so crowded.
\ She looked up. There was no flush
/ of qualification on her face, only a very
4 slight-the slightest possible-sparklc in
4 the beautiful eyes.
Yes she said quietly; II believe
4 can Ounce we'll
Desphrd bit his lips. For once I'm
\ his life he felt absolutely at q loss What
4 to say. Yet remain silent he would not,
\ for by so doing Ii seemed to him is