Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-11-04


already lost something of its fresh
routhfuneSS. He asks at once for the
,3"Xt dance-a set of lancerS As We
lance his flow of conversation never
ceases He tells me that he has iUSt
,.unccd with Niolctte, who has told him
!. great deal about me, and that fpr Il
, long time past he has been most anX
/ ious to meet and know me.
/ He pays me Il delicate compliment
] about my water colors he saw at Nine.
Bcray's. Il paint in my spare hours.p
Altogether. what Il charming partner,
and how short that set of lancers
seemed. But he asks for another
dancc-a polka. After the polka he
asks me for Il quadrille. l begin to get
afraid that his marked attention may
, compromise me. But how am | to tell
! him so! Just now, when he was look
ing at me, his eyes were very soft ;il't
! tender.
| wonder if the dancers are begin
ming to notice what conquest | have
made!
What an example for Violettc, though.
if she should ever know that | had in
the slightest degree encouraged this
man. 1t is certainly time to make him
feel that his attentions have passed the
( limits of good taste. Just at this mo-
mcnt he comes up and asks me for Il
schottiSche.
Il am very tired, monsieur. | think
1 will rest little" | answered firmly.
Then, if you permit me, mademol-
selle, | will keep you company"
Really this is assuming the proper
tions of persecution. l look at him
with a naughty air and answer not Il
word But it is no use. He has al
| ready commenced the conversation.
He talks about his childhood, of his
life at college and of his present pupils.
Only fine dancers name is NJ. ArtuS,
and he is a professor at Condorc"tD
1t takes the form of regular auto
biography.
Jacques passes us at this moment,
and | stop him.
Jacques, my good friend. bring me
il sandwich; I'm getting hungry
1t was not very polite. All The
worse. 1t is Il lesson for Nj. ArtuS.
and in order to make it more complete
] waltz with Jacques directly after
wards.
How delicious it is to dance with II
really good dancer! AS | look around
the room and see all those poor mann,
mas sitting like wallhowcrS in their
chairs without Il single man to talk to
] really feel pity for them.
1t is too horrible.
How does NJ. ArtuS take my rude
ness? 1t seems he watches me sadly.
Not Il bit of it. The moment the waltz
is over he comes up to me. and with
out any bitterness in his manner says.
Il am delighted. madcmoiSelle, to see
that your tircdncss has left you.
1t is nevertheless Il fact that | am
getting weary. Indeed. with the help
of Jacques and NJ. Artus. | have scarce
ly missed Il dance.
NOyonS, let me get into this wide
armed fautcuil and try to pull myself
together again and look the situation in
the face. fear that there must be
something wrong with my head. If
not. how then is it possible that the
wise and serious Pauline can be dane
ing here in Il cloud of silks and satns,
like any other frivolous little butterfly
of society? How can i be receiving
the homage of this young savant? For
there is no contradicting that he has
been paying me the most marked at
tcntion the whole evening. Just now,
too Niolettc passed me in his arms,
md | heard them mention my name.
| am only Il year or two older than
he is, and look much younger. ! have
such hair; such Il complexion, too.
A professor.
Well, Il professor would do for me.
He would be serious, steady and do
nestle.
What foolish ideas, to be sure! How
trCachcrouS these balls are! Dear me.
Dear me.
Ha! here comes the very object of
these reflections. He seems to be
strangely moved
"Mademoiselle," he begins in soft
voice, Il should like to speak to you.
My action may seem to you somewhat
improper, but you are so good and
sweet that | know you will forgive me.
| have for a certain young girl here
very much affection and respect |
want to make her my companion
through life. Tell me that l can find
in you a helper. Oh, tell me that you
will not turn me away Here he takes
! my hand)
Il know that it is not to you that I
should speak in the first place. but to
your brother-n-law, but you have so
| much influence in your family, you are
so loved and respected, | wish to place
my fate in your hands"
My hand is still in his. | am lost in
a dream of joy. Il beg of you, Miss
Pauline, to say yes" he continued
softly.
In slow, painful voice i answered:
Monsieur, | am indeed surprised at
your so sudden request. l really think
that you ought first to speak to my
brother-in-law."
Il see that you are of my opinion.
my dear, dear Miss Pauline" he cried.
Tell me that you view my intentions
altogether with favorable eye--not
only partially"
do not torment me So" l mOancd
eff you wish it, then | consent"
''Oh, how good you are!' he cried
/ joyfully, land how happy | feel. 1t is
true that our ages are somewhat dis
proportionatc, but
Impertinent fellow! What can he
mean?
II am rather old for so charming Il
girl, but I do love her so, my own
1arling little Violette,"
Good heavens!
Giddiness seiZes me while the lover
continues his litany. l feel as if
shall fal! in heap on the floor.
Two soft arms are around my neck
carcssingly Il have hidden myself in Il
retired and shadoWy corner. A fresh
young check is against my old one.
Aunt, oh, aunt, how good you are,
He has told me all. If you only knew
how your little Violette loves YOU
So it was all a dream.
Never speak to me again of these
devilish balls that can turn even the
strongest heads