The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1893-06-10

pnllOSOpHer-
Then you must be driven from your
tub! a tub at your age, goodness me.
Let me secure you a charming partner to
exercise your destinations upon"
mo. no, Lady Walden; conquests are
for Alexander he pointed to Jack.
who was again dancing with Dita-''and
philosophy for me"
''Ah. is not that as good as saying
that were you not Diogenes you would
be Alexander? 1t must need all your
philosophy to resist the chance of dane
ing with anything so lovely"
Il have scarcely seen Miss Lowell, :"
said he, very coldlV.
"Oh. Diogenes still in thy tub and
she laughed and left him, determined on
revenge.
lie was still standing where she had
left him when Lady Walden suddenly
came up to him and said
Sir Edward, allow me to introduce
you to Miss Lovel-she is disengaged for
this dance"
He could do nothing but ask her to
dance, which he did in the most formal
manner. To his establishment she re-
fused. He bowed, and stepped back.
At that moment the music began, and
Major Steele came swiftly through the
crowd, with his head in the air as if
seeking some one, and seeing Miss Lowell,
asked her to dance, and she went gayly
away with him.
Edward Norton felt exceedingly mOrti-
fed. She had refused him and accepted
the commonplace little officer at once.
it was the Lancers, and Fcrdita was
close to him in the dance. Very much
displeased, he watched her, and in spite
of himself could not help admitting that
she was pretty.
Edward NOrtOnS taste was very faS-
tidiOuS, and it was gratiiied by the per
fiction of Dita's whole appearance. Her
dress, made by the very best French
dresSmaller, had that degree of finish
about it which is SO rare in England;
gloves, shoes, and fan all of one tint.
Her beautiful wayy hair was braided in
very large soft plaits; on her brow it
rigplcd and curleG naturally. Her com
pleXiOn was brilliantly white, with a
wild rose tinge on The cheeks and lips;
but the most remarkable feature was
that wonderful pair Of dark eyes-like
the eyes of a gaZellc-shaded by dark
lashcS, and full of varying expression.
NortOn's 'prcttY.' was but hesitatinglY
pronounced for he was truthful even to
himself, and it seemed to him, in spite
of himself, that his eyes had never
rested on anything more lovely.
When the dance was over he went
across to where Dita had seated herself,
and said, very sternlY-
May ! have the pleasure of this valsc,
Miss Lovel2"
NO, thank YOU" she said, quietly.
Are you already engaged?"
"No; that is, not vet"
He stood gIoomiIy beside her tor a mo-
ment and then said, $50 | am the only
person with whom you refuse to dance"
She opened her eyes very wide, but
said nothing. He repeated his words IN
the shape of a question. "Am the only
person with whom you refuse to dance;
and if so, Why?"
Because you do not really wish to
dance with me, " said Dita, with spirit
u saw you did not, and only asked me
because YOU could not help it. Indeed /
do not care for dancing so very much
that | would dance with you against
your WILL" and she bIuShcd at the length
Of her explanation.
But do wish you TO dance with me,
very much, said Sir Edward, haughtilv
answered Dita, as haughtily. She was a
SpoiIt child, and could not brook his tone
of superiority. She sat while that dill
cious vaIsc went on, tapping her foot on
the floor No one asked her TO dance,
for seeing Sir Edward by her side they
imagined her to lie engaged to him, but
he did not move.
II am sorry that yon should think
such thing he said, slowly; my face
must be one very easily read"
He did not perceive that he had be-
trayed himself, but she did.
Yes, very easily" she said.
He did not like it at all. He stood by
her without speaking. looking at the
dancing, and she became more inpatient
At that moment Jack Lee Aston came
back from taking lady down to supper,
and springing toward Dita, he said
You are not dancing, and this is such
perfect valSe. May | have the pleas
urc?'' and they plunged into the maze
They are well matched, said Edward
Norton to himself; and he bit his lips and
asked Mrs. Arthur whether she would
have some supper.
'Oh, how sorry | am that it is over"
cried Dita as mui1led in her white fur
cloak she was put into the omnibus by
her last partner
Good night-good night" and they
started on their way home.
"llaVe Won enjoyed it much, my dear?"
said Mrs Lee Aston, kindly
son, more than | can possibly say"
"She is silly and frivolous" thought
Sir Edward. ''What fuss to make
about ball"
All the elders, excepting Mrs. Lee
Aston, had already gone on, and the last
carriage contained nothing but young
people, and their hostess.
ut has been a capital dance" said
Meta; the WaIdons' balls are Away
good. "
Il don't think they ever gave SO good
a one before" said Jack; 10y Jove. its
half-Past four, and awfully light
by degrees the remarks grew fewer
aud fewer, and at last ceased; most Of
the party dozed aud there arose a deli
cate little lady-like SnOre from the cor
ner in which Meta repOsed.
There were about five miles to drive,
and when they had gone about three, they
had to pass a railway bridge, and drive
alongside of the line for about ten yards
Sir Edward was at the end OF the
omnibus, very far from sleepy and look
iug backward he saw the train coming:
there We're the two brilliant red lights of
the night express, and as 1t drew near
there arose q shri.l whistle from the en-
CINE. Jack woke up Instantly, saving in
a low voice
These horses won't stand that"
Dila sat up and looked at the two
men; the pace of the carriage was IN
crcasinG, the horses first cantering, then