The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-08-16
HER LOVE STORY.

Aren't you going to speak to me,
Miss Noreys? I've been trying to catch
your eye for some time, but you seem
determined not to see me-"
The girl to whom this remark was
addressed was standing rather apart
from the group Of people assembled on
the lawn at garden party. She started
ind looked up suddenly, her face light
ing up with pleasure at sight of the
man before her, and then held out her
hand with quick gesture of welcome
which he took and held, perhaps trif1e
longer than the occasion warranted.
Day dreaming, as usual" he laugh.
ed. "A penny for your thoughts"
"They are not worth a penny, they
were about you," and Mollie Noreys
looked up merrily into his face as she
spoke.
You fatter me and snub me in one
breath, in a most cruel manner, Miss
Noreys, but to return to practical life,
have you had any tea?"
mo, thank you; don't care for any,"
Then, If you really won't have any,
come and show me the beauties Of this
He spoke the request in an almost
commanding tone, but the look that ac-
companied it made that command dan
gerously attractive to the girl.
"Of course l WILL" she answered,
briskly. 1T is dear old garden, isn't
1t, and the roses will be in perfection
just now"
Captain Dalton seems very devoted
to that Miss Noreys," one girl said to
another.
Eyes, indeed he is with her every
where. l hear that at Mrs. Townley's
garden party they were together the
whole afternoon, and barely spoke to
any one else. Such very bad form al
together unless they're engaged. But
1 don't believe they are"
Engaged! rather not" replied the
first speaker with amused scorn. Capt.
Dalton is terrible fiirt, and that silly
little Mollie Noreys imagines he is seri-
ous; she can't have had much atten-
tion from men before; her head seems
completely turned"
Il cant think what he sees in her to
admire. l consider her most insigniti-
cant looking" And the speaker, a
very tall, rather llorid young woman,
looked round as if challenging COM
parison.
We'll, my dear Ada" replied her
friend with the slightest suspicion of a
sneer, 1--WE can't all be like you, you
know, and for my part, | think it is
very good thing that beauty is in the
eye of the beholder,' but upon my word
/ can't imagine what Capt. Dalton sees
in her to admire. Why, she actually
makes her own frocks."
Meanwhile, Capt. Dalton and Mollie
had wandered away to the rose gar
den.
Let us sit down here and talk, shall
we?" said he, indicating rustic seat
in one of the grottos.
Yes, by all means. And isn't it all
pretty?" she added, enthusiastically.
"You ought to be very grateful to me
for introducing you to such a pretty
spot. was so surprised to see you here
this afternoon" she went on, suddenly
lifting her eyes, to find his fixed on
her this afternoon" she went on, sud-
denly lifting her eyes, to find his fixed
on her in way that caused her to has
tily drop them again. II though" shy
ly, you didn't care about garden par
ties"
Neither do |, and that's why I'm
here, which may sound contradictory;
but didn't you tell me you were COM
ing? l came on purpose to spend the
afternoon with you, so now let us en-
JOY ourselves. Won't you let me get
you some fruit? | see some lovely
peaches on that little table over there"
Il should like a peach very much,
but I'm afraid Of spelling my best and
only gloves"
BY and by, after they had been talk
ing for some time, he said, suddenly
turning toward her:
do you know, ought to have been
at another garden party all this time.
] promised fellow / would look in on
my way back from here, and give him
a seat in my cart back to barracks.
It's all your fault, and shall tell him
Bo"
Il am so sorry" Mollie replied, look
ing quite grleved.
Did | say you had detained me
against my will? On the contrary,
prefer your society"
Indeed, and feel highly fiatteredv'
jumping up and making him mock
curtesy.
II assure you | mean 1t, Miss Noreys
Wish you wouldn't laugh at me-"
81 think, on the contrary. it is you
who are laughing at me. Truthfully
now" looking steadily at her com.
panion's face, don't you think be-
tause am little you can treat me like
a child, who can be fiattered with
thinking anything. You do not treat
me with the same respect you would 1
! were tall and stately. How l wish
were tallg' pensively. 1T would b'
jso tidce to be able to look down on peo