The Princeton union., 1893-04-20
A HIGH HAND.

Mildred Derwent looked lazily up
from the novel in which she was abb
Sorbed, and glanced over at her COM
paniOn with an expression of mingled
-coquetry and Indifference.
t.Who-Charlie? Oh until he gets
enough of it and takes himself off al
together
Mildred! I would not have believed
you could be so heartless," said her
cousin Grace King, reprovingly. Have
YOU no feeling at all for poor Charlie,
when he has been such a long and de-.
voted friend, to say no more?'
ooh, yes, I like hinl-very much"
admitted Millie. But Well, the
fact is, I want a little more dash and
romance in my ove-making. 1 would
like to meet one of those characters
one reads about-a grand, masterful
person-who would carry things with
a high hand, and marry his lady-love
whether she would or nO--no fear but
she would be reconciled to it afterward.
That is the kind of hero l should like
to meet and'-With downward
glance at the book in her lap-"I be-
.Ieve l shall meet him some day"
-'Endeed you'll not. then, outside of
that trashy stuff you are always poring
over lately" dissented Grace with
added severity "a nice kind Of a man
that will win q wife that way! You
had better say yes to Charlie While you
have the chance. He's the best fellow
that ever iyed-as true as the sun,
and gallant and devoted as can be; but
he won't submit to your whims for
ever. Some day he'll take himself off,
aud then you'll regret too late that you
Aet your genuine and worthy lover go,
while reaching for an imaginary one"
IF Charlie only had little more
dash he'd be perfection" sighed Millie
Il won't deny that should miss him
.awfully if he went away. But maybe
he will marry some girl and settle right
down here''
+'And that is precisely what he in
tends to do, thanks for the hint SO op-
portunely given!' was the exclamation
too low, however, to be heard by the
girls within the room-as a tall, grace
-ful young fellow of tWo-and-twentyr rose
from his place of temporary conceal
ment just behind the angle Of the bay
window, where he had stolen up to
gain a peep at his whimsical little lady
2oye before admitting himself to her
presence and her Indifferent greeting
'sI have disproved the adage that list
'eners never hear any good of them
St,Afco. al ItdSL nave SOuc-
thing that, with little right manage
'snent, may turn out very good and sat
.isfactory for me, SO she wants little
more dash and romance suppose a lit
tile mystery would give it an added
charm-in her love-malSing experience,
does she? Well, my dear, if that is the
one thing necessary to win you, you
will see whether l cannot carry things
with a high hand if necessary
He had got down to the gate by this
time, without, by good fortune, having
been seen by anybody and he went
along at a brisk pace until he reached
a statiOner's, where he purchased a
sheet of paper and postage stamp,
ON the strength of which he received
the privilege of sitting down at a small
table and writing his letter there.
SO it happened that about half an
hour afterward, while Millie was again
deep in her novel, Grace, having desist-
ed in disgust from any further attempts
at remonstrance, there was a ring at
tho bell, and a messenger boy entering
delivered to her a note, opening which,
she read:
''Dear Millie,-I am very sorry that
unexpected circumstances will prevent
my being able to escort you to the
ever, as I know your brother Frank
will act as my substitute. l shall have
the satisfaction of knowing that you
need not miss it on my account.
Yours truly,
"Charlie"
"Well, that's cool!' exclaimed Mil
sdred, more disappointed than she would
have been willing to confess. 'He
don't even intimate a desire that
should stay at home. If he would only
display Il little jealousy I believe
would love him Immediately. But III
ago. of COURSE, tomorrow. l may meet
INV looked for hero there. l under
stand there are to be a good many
strangers.
Accordingly, the next morning. &C
rcompanied by her brother Frank, Mil
lie entered the parlors where tic bal
was to be held, and where q goodly
number were already assembled.
A tall, distinguished-looking stranger
--Millie felt sure he was Il stranger
for she knew the figures Of all the
young in Deerhaven-elegan at
tired as a Spanish courtier,. came VI
almost Immediately, and with a gesture
at once graceful and imperious drew
her hand through his arm and led he]
away. re-
At that moment the musicians com
menced to play, and it seemed to Mil
HE as if she had never known wha
dancing was before that night.
Her partner held her close with Ont
strong arm, and whirled her in ant
out among the dancers as if she hat
been but bit Of thistle down; thel
at it's close drew her hand again within
his arm. and promenaded the Ion,
salon.
Several others approached to solici
her hand. but each was waved ava
with an imperiOus air that was pei
-fectly enchanting to Millie. who some
now felt not the least anxiety or appre
5hension at the strange cavaliers eviden
intention to monopolize her society. bu
yielded to the intoNication of this nev
experience, and began to believe tha
sshe had found the hero of her man
,day-dreams after all. -.
IF Charlie would only act that wa
how much more interesting he woul
$ber' Millie reflected as she was restin
after the fourth waltz. =.
And she began to look anxiOuSlv fol