Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-05-15

uuctlOn ! PROMISED MIN. Oupthiu ouir
ley-Miss L'Estrange."
"May have the honor of the firN
dance, Miss L'Estranger' he asked. with
a low bow and an air Of repressed eager
less
with pleasure"
She handed him her card. Having In
scribed his name. he hesitated. and said
with a smile of entreatyi
Dare ! ask for the second waltzT'
"Very WELL" returned Nora, with lit.
lie laugh at his implOring tone.
II assure you, Captain Shirley is . cap
'tal partner" put in Mrs. Ruthven.
Then addressing him, she added:
1.-The rooms are filling rapidly. Give
me your arm. and will Join Lady Dor
rington. He shall return directly. Miss
L'Estrange-"
"Well." said Winton, who had ex.
changed a nod Of recognition with Shir-
ley. Il think you might have given me
tho first quadrille. any idiot can walk
through Quadrille!'
"YOu know ] could not ask you," SAID
Nora, glancing up into his eyes with a
bright, amused sparkle in her own. "And
as you said nothing about II, I never
thought you would deign to dance"
Il don't suppose you ever gave me {
y
ed too much and too soon into elderly
ways to be q fit partner for a creature like
YOU"
"Afr. Winton." with an air half mock
Ing, half kindly. Twill you do me the
honor of dancing the first Quadrille :" and
she handed him her program, from which
he perceived that the first dance was a
waltz, tho second q quadrille.
Mark Winton flushed through his sun
tanned skin as he returned the correct re-
ply:
"Most happy! Where shall find you 2"
no added eagerly. as he saw Shirley re
turning.
Here, shall return to this room.'
and she was gone.
Mrs. Ruthven's triumph began with
the dancing. Though some Of the country
grandees were present. the host opened
the ball with her. and he had never before
been SO charming. or so devoted In his
attentions: he explained with an amusing
air Of martyrdom the cruel necessity for
his taking the Marchioness Of Biankford,
an immensely stout. talkative woman,
with gray hair and mustache, to supper;
but there was no escape. Mrs. Ruthven
had never felt SO secure, SO elated. What
wonderful luck hers was, to be ardently
N love with the right man!
Meantime. the guests poured In, and
dancing had begun with great spirit.
II feel as If ought to look for you ant
offer you my arm," said Nora, as Win.
ton rose to give her his seat beside Mira.
L'Estrange, when Shirley brought her
back. Having asked you to dance. ]
should act the role completely"
Il will excuse YOU"
'Why do you not dance, Heleny' shG
resumed. Lord Dorrington tells me you
refused him peremptorily.'
ut would not be becoming in the chap
eron of a great Grown-up daughter to
dance" returned Mrs. L'Estrangc good
humoredly.
L'Estrange," said Winton, "for the sale
Of Aud Lang Syne.' don't think
have danced since the old rectory days,
when you used to be my partner-you re-
memberr"
Il do. indeed" A quick sigh caugh,
Nora's ear. and she noticed the soft, sad
look which stole over her stepmother's
countenance.
Mrs. L'Estrange was q small, elegant
but somewhat colorless woman, with
pale-blue eyes, and pale-brown hair, a
pretty figure. and very soft, quiet man.
ners: she could talk we'll when reused,
but had always the air Of prefcrriny to
be still and silent. "She has had a try
ing life!" thought Nora. while Winton
said. "Well--I will come and look for you
presently" Then he gave Nora his arm,
Ind they took their places.
II think you must have danced NOR.
than you admit" said she, when the quad.
rille was over. "You made very few mis-.
takes!'
Il watched my neighbors. and the evolu
tions ere not difficult. No: don't so back
yet; you will be snapped up by your next
partner. Who IL it. Lethbridge"
mo, a friend Of the squire's, who intro
duced him, Lord Alfred Hnrcourt."
"I don't think he will amuse you! Have
you been In the conservatory yet? 1t ID
really very pretty"
"Nov' yielding to his movement In tha.
direction.
Winton led her into the hall, where mum
erous groups sat and stood about, down
the passage before mentioned to the buf.
fet, and then across the breakfast room
as yet unoccupied. where card tables |
Tere set forth, into the conservatory.
This was dimly lighted by silvery lamp,
among the foliage. and freshened by the
splash Of a couple of fountains. The
fragrance of the flowers, the cool stiffness,
after the noise and heat of the ball room,
we're most welcome.
'"rhis 10 lovely. indeed!' cried Nora.
"none Of the balls was at In London
we're half SO beautiful"
"How many did you 60 tor asked |
Winton.
''Three." she replied: you like accu
rncy."
1T is essential What is this place n,
the end?"
''Let US explored! cried Nora.
A door which let out to the terrace hat !
been replaced by a deep red velvet cur |
tain, which, lOOped to one side, gave ad |
aaittance to Turkish tent, draped with |
rich, mellow colored Oriental stuffs, In |
sermixed with gold. A divan with en-
broidered cushions occupied one side, and |
stained glass lantern swung from the
center, while q long mirror opposite the |
door reproduced the charming effect OF
the interior. ''This 10 admirably done,"
said Winton, looking round
mo doubt Mr.. Marsden has had II
done to please Mrs. Ruthven, and remind
aer Of her Eastern lifer'
II don't suppose that would give her
any particular pleasure" said Winton
dyly.
Are you sometimes taken with ill-na.
tured fitsT asked Nora, looking up into
ais eyes.
. "Never." he replied, emphatically, ."
am always generous, Just and reason
able! VIII you sit down, and allow me to
enlarge Q little further on my own ad
Qualities3 The cushions are soft
and comfortable"
II must Lot, however interesting thu
subjecti Ny partner will be looking for
IA = J,