News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1894-09-06
A FORTUNE ON -FOUR LEGS.
GCoNCLUDEDl


hither and thither, and the band DIN
ming its endless waltzes and polkas into
my weary ears! Nowhere could find
a refuge. Every corner was occupied
by amatOry CT merely flirtltious couples
-'sitting out, who resented my APP
.pToach with indignant scJwls Cap
ital ball!' said every man / knew.
mot dIncing, old fellow? Let me in
troduce you. etc. At last, when /
was mediJatiug a retreat 10 the hotel
smoking room until it should lie over,
before | could escape, the NJ. T. II. ac-
costad me, Here, Martindale, you are
doing nothing; take in Mrs. Tucking-
ton to supper, there's good fellow.
So | had to give my arm to Il ponder
Gus matron just as Ella giilod 10y me
in the arms of Dakyn. He whispered
to her as they passed. Something, to
my detriment of course, | thought, and
she answered with a smile, without
even Il glance in my direction. How
lovely she looked, all radiant with the
exercise, and her perfect form swaying
TO the rapturous strains of "Parfait
Amour" They We're dancing we'll
"What a beautiful girl that Miss
Davenport is! remarked my compan-
ion. us it true she is fiancee to Mr..
Dakyn?"
Most improbable, ;" l replied, almost
gnashing my teeth.
All, well, | thought they looked like
it. | may be mistaken. And gra-
ciously accepting my reluctant arm the
.matron descended with me to the sup
per room, which was just open.
What banquet that lady did get
through! | thought the time would
never come when she would cry" Hold,
enough" Lobster salad and scallOped
oysters, mayonnaise and ortolan, cold
lamb and pigeon pie, to say nothing of
frif1es and tipsy cake, cream and jelly.
L fear did nothing to restrain her,
but, on the contrary, in my own reck-
less mood urged her on to fresh exploits
and pastures new. After all, she was
old enough to know her own constitu-
,fion and what she could really do.
For myself | could eat nothing, but
the champagne for wonder was
good, and Natty could hardly have
called me cup too low when at last
my matron drew on her gloves, and
bealning on me, for l had served her
well, announced her readiness to re-
turn.
Arrived once more in the ballroom,
I bethought me Of my sisters advice
and set to work dancing with vigor.
Although late in the day, there was no
hack of partners, the feminine element,
as is usual at county balls, largely pre-
dominating. was not an accomplish
ed dancer like Dakyn or Dalrymple of
eHrs; but, animated by pique and per-
maps also by champagne, | made up by
energy for what | lacked in skill. The
floor was now in excellent condition,
and after supper everybody danced.
And to the inspiriting strains of the
'%Hopscotch Polka even the jolly broad
BACKED squires, who usually confined
themselves to quadrilles and lancers,
stamped merrily around till their rubi
.cund faces were as scarlet as their hunt
coats. | got on admirably, having
several TINS for partner my ColOnel's
wife, rather young and very pretty
brunette and the best lady dancer in
the room. We were extremely lively,
and put out my best wit to draw the
fire Of her brilliant dark eyes, that Ella
might imagine we were in the midst of
"a hot Irritation. Presently my maneu-
yers, Or rather Geraldine s. began to
have the desired effect | had perceived
fol, some time that my recreant sweet
heart was covertly taking an interest
lin my movements, and once she sighed
slightly as we passed so nearly that my
sleeve brushed her shoulder. | knew
that my time was coming and that
should not have to go homo without at
least an explanation.
After awhile Ella ceased to dance,
and overheard her evade Dalrymple's
lproposal that he should take her to sup
;per. Then l guessed my chance had
-,6pne. Relinquishing my partner as
quickly as could, continued tc stroll
unconcernedly past Ella, ignoring a
pleading look from her as l passed.
AS she had misbehaved she would have
to make the first advance. This she
did. Rising and coming after me, she
laid her dear hand upon my arm and
said
''Oh, George, am so hungry! Do
take me to get some supper"
HAS no one asked you?" l demanded
sternly.
Eyes, two or three people, but am
more hungry now. Please take me-"
IF you will tell me why you have
treated me as you have done and say
cYuu are sorry, perhaps l will. You
must be very hungry to cry about it, u
.forI;saw that her eyes, which had been
so coldly defiant all the evening, were
now full of tears.
Then, finding ourselves near to one
of the curtained recesses, which was
happily for the moment unoccupied,
drew her within it. Now tell me why
you were so cross, and why you would
not dance with me-" said. Il am
perfectly aware that don't dance sc
well as Dakyn or Dalrymple"--
You knew quite well, -" sobbed Ella,
'@tsthat | would-would--a hundred
times rather-d-d dance with you than
either of them"
Then why would you not when
asked you?' inquired pertinently.