Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-04-25
THE HUMoR or IT.

dance, and yet with certain ner-
Vous abstraction
Clearly Il was not easy to rebearse
scene of reproach and scom and to
put IN iudicious hairpins simultane-
ouSly But that the moment should
come tonight AT the Ilaverton's dance
she was fully aud desperately deter
mined.
Surely II ever man deserved punish
ment nj the hands Of woman that
man WAS AShby Eldon, He had be-
haved unforgiylngly.
She had met him for the first time
AT Nice IN the Nirly part OF the
winter. He had talked culture and
personalities in perfect proportions.
He had been charming; had worn
striped linen, Il pointed beard and a
smile Of fascinating fatigue; he had
deluged her with expensive flowers.
And never hint or sign of his en-
gagcmem To that Miss Tlpvors Ii
was incomprehensible unspeakable.
If he had not mentioned by chance
that Lady Haverton was his aunt, IL
taken enormous trouble to cultivate
Lady Hayerton and lead her talk on
10 Ashby Eldon, she might have daw-
died in her fools paradise TO the day
of his wedding announcement.
Well, the days of woman's T'silent
suffering We're over now, thank
heavenl She had been reading strik.
ing article on this theme In some
magazine only the other day.
A woman was no longer mans
prey, she was his equal, his rival;
and tonight she would prove Il. She
would speak her mind honestly
grandly without tlinchng.
She foresaw every detail OF the In
terview.
When his dance came round she
would ask 10 sit 1t ont. Silently she
would lead the way to an empty
would lead the way to an empty
room the little boudoir at the hack
OF the conservatory. And then!
How she would tear him with her
weapons Of scorn and disgust She
would make him feel like cur.
1t was the melest chance she had
not lost her heart To ninth merest
chance Why did the face in the glass
Ewtch as Shc said uhat? He had
done his best He was brute. Yes,
he was. She didn't care. lie was.
How hldeo,is red cyellds could make
one look, They took all the poetry
out of white cheeks. Why had she
been the fool to choose her pink silk
for tonight?
1t was packed at the HaveIton's.
Eleven o'clock and he was not there,
She danced great deal.
Ilalf-past eleven and he was not
there
She sat out Il great deal.
lIalfpast twelve and he was not
there.
She must 20 home now
Good night, Lady Havertona de-
lightful evening"
Mercifu powers. There he came
slowly, poSsessedly the old way.
Quick whld was she going TO say
10 say at the very firstO, what
Miss Feardon! an unexpected
pleasure."
A wave seemed to wash over her
brain. She took his profferd hand
Then she looked up with a brilliant
society smile.
Her old resolutions lay about her
in ruins A complete different set Of
emotions had taken possession Of her
-unconsciously unqnestlonably.
"Ah. you are back In the vortex,
Mr.. Eldon--the dear old vortex
"Yes."A faint suspicion of awk-
Nardness spoiled his usually perfect
manner. How kind Of people to give
these little soirees at this time of
the year
And am grateful enough TO be
running away now"
but you will give me q few words
before you go? Come down stairs
and let us drink TO the memory Of
dear old Nice. And and have
news"
your engagement! and | was for
getting my congratulations. How un-
pard0mble Of me; but really, 20 many
Of my friends have taken the fatal
step just lately, I'm getting confused.
Is your fiancee hereY'
NO, unfortunately
"Ah, my misfortune. ] am sure.
Well, II leaves me something to look
forward to- Good night, Mr.. Didon,
there's my chaperone. ] must ny."
There was look Of surprised disap-
pointment on his charming face. And
yet he gave another deep sigh of re-
lief as he turned into the ballroom.
Wonderful luck! But, somehow,
thought she'd take 1t differently" said
he to himself.
Only when She got TO her own
room and remembered just what she
had said, did she see the humor OF IT.;
and thereupon she a'led.-Black and
White.