The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-03-31


tempted to mako his cousin talk; her
eyes rendered. conversation unncces-
sary.
One afternoon in the first week of
January he sauntered into his mothers
sitting-room, and there discovered
Dolly, sitting, like the historic Miss
Muiiit, on 4 buffet in front of the fire.
Her fingers were busy with some
crochet work. Tom drew n chair to
| the fire.
Are you yoing out tonight, Dolly?"
Sho lifted her eyes from her needle.
Not tonight"
Not. Are you sorry2"
No"
81 suppose you're getting rather
tired of it. You've been out pretty
nearly every night lately, haven't
you?"
Yes. I'm not tired of it, though;
like it. But auntic and are going to
have quiet evening tonight, and
l shall like that just as we'll"
There was pause.
Are you sure you will like it just rs
well?'
II beg your pardon?" said Dolly.
He moved on his chair. "Well," he
said. 81 want you to come out with
me tonight, if you will"
She looked at him in amazement.
out with you? Why, where to?"
"Thc theater," he responded.
Pleasure shone in her face. She
gasped with delight. "Oh, you arc
lSindl But do you think auntio will
allow me?"
"l'll ask her." said naughty Tom 1t
was really very wrong of him, for
Dolly's parents would have been scan
dalized at the idea of their daughter
being seen in n thcater. However,
they were not there to sec. 1t never
occurred to Dolly that it could be
wrong for her to go after Tom had
proposed it, and SO, as Toms parents
raised no objections, they started in
due course. The only condition i'm
posed on them land the sequel proved
it sound one), was to wrap up we'll,
which they did.
How Dolly enjoyed the performance
it is unnecessary to relate in de tail
She did enjoy it immensely; and she
frequently turned to Tom and thanked
him so earnestly for having brought
her that Tom began to feel the ecstasy
that follows virtuous conduct. Her en-
joyment robbed her, for the first time,
of her shyness Her face glowcd with
an unusual animation. There was II
color in her checks and n sparkle in
her eyes that had not been there be-
fore. When a shy maiden does wake
up to animation she is ten times moro
dangerously attractive than her viva
cious sisters who sparkle all day long.
Tom thought his Cousins face more
Gn1,1pfir J.,
agined it could be. lie warmed toward
her. lie no longer wanted to draw her
out, to flirt with her. lie was in love
now, all the way.
They made no haste out OF the
thcater with the result that when
they reached the street there was not
an available hanson.
WED better walk on Bit" said
Tom. Owe shall come to one pres
emily"
There had been heavy fall of snow
during the performance. and the pave
ment of the Strand was all slushy and
sloppy.
Its rather unpleasant under foot,
| Dolly" said Tom. You'd better take
my arm"
She did as she was bid, and immc-
| diatcly experienced Il curious sense of
being owned. 1t seemed TO her that
she belonged to her cousin. While, as
| for Tom, the soft touch of those small
| gloved fingers on his coat sleeve gave
him more pleasure than ali his pre-
| vious amorous adventures rolled into
| one.
| When they came to Trafalgar square
| Dolly gave little scream of delight.
"Oh," she cried, how prettyl"
1t was pretty. The whole square
fountains, statues and all, wherever
the snow could find lodgin clay
draped in white. The portions that
were free from snow looked doubly
black by contrast. 1t was study in
white, with just little black to help
it out. Overhead tlcccy clouds scuddcd
rapidly, and a full, bright moon stared
down at the glimmering panorama
The square was as light as day.
"Oh, how beautiful! I didn't think
London could look SO lovely!''
Tom looked at the speaker and
thought her lovelicr than the scene
she admired.
Yes" he said, with his eyes on her
! face, cit is bcautiful; very beautiful,
| indeed"
"Oh," said Dolly, 'let us walk home
We don't want to take a cab on a love-
ly NIGHT like this. wouldn't miss the
walk for the world. 1t isn't for, real
IL, is it?"
About mile" said Tom.
Only mile. Oh, that is nothing.
Let us walk. Shall we?"
Decidedly, if you wish it. You'd