Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-07

6Se Of the girls cried pleasantly. "what
use of goin there when there's plenty
Of fun here? We're goin TO the party
Heast. Come on with rs an have q share
af eaur pasty.
II thowt Of goin to Wigan to buy q
few odds an ends, Molly"
"Tha' con goo ON Monday meet, Peg.
Come on in. The band is playin for
dancin, an we shall a. enjoy eaursels."
The two pit brow lasses seized hold Of
Margaret in good humored manner,
and half reluctantly she passed into the
Blue Bell with them. The trio Of girls
at once proceeded to the clubroom, which
was by this time filed with q crowd Of
merry youngsters Of both sexes. The
musicians were seated in q corner Of the
long low room and then were playing
an air Of the liveliest kind, to which
several scores Of dancers were footing it
gayly. Smoking and drinking were be-
ing INDUCED in freely, and in the ada
cent rooms parties Of pitmen and their
wives. young miners and their sweet
hearts were RECALLING themselves with
the savory pasties.
Peg Holland had scarcely entered the
room ere stranger was at her elbow,
asking her to dance with him. She said
"Yes" to the handsome man, and soon
he and she were whirling round among
tho boisterous crowd. In village life
there is small ceremony, and the girl
concluded that her partner was friend
Of some Of the young men present. That
he was not q common collier" she was
certain. He was too we'll and stylishly
dressed, too we'll spoken and gentleman
ly in appearance. for that. Who was he?
What was he doing there, she wondered
as her distinguished looking partner pi-
loted her gracefully and safely through
the throng.
Pegs cavalier was Harry Marston, Of
course. His gaze had fallen on the min
er maids sweet, dark face the moment
she entered the room, and he had forth
with made his way to her side and per-
suaded her to dance.
Harry was good hearted, glib
tongued fellow, who could find his way
about anywhere, and although he had
never set foot in the hamlet before that
day he had already made a small host
of friends among the pitmen gathered
together in the upper rooms Of the Blue
Bell. He was so handsome, good hu-
mored and generous in the way Of in
viting people to drink with him.
When the polka was ended. Marston
pressed Peg to take some refreshment
with him. She declined his offer, al
though his marked attentions and evil
dent admiration were in no sense dis
tasteful to her, and made her way to-
ward her friends.
But handsome Harry had no intention
Of being disposed of SO easily. The
beauty Of the village lass had made a
deep impression upon his rather suscepti-
bio heart. Ten minutes later Marston,
with several companions, was at Pegs
side again. Said he in n voice that was
nc once well bred and musical:
Miss Holland. we want you to join
us. Baron and Roscoe here, with their
sweethearts and myself, are just going
to commence the attack on a big pasty.
Will you join us?''
II don't feel hungry, thank you"
Come on, Peg" the others cried in
q breath, and despite her half hearted
remonstrances she was hauled away to
one of the small apartments near where
great crown pasty was smoking on the
table.
The party Of six made meal that
was both merry and hearty. When it
was over. the large room was again
sought. The fun was now at its high.