The aegis & intelligencer., 1896-05-29
cotiIlon, and many men asked to be

cotillon, and many men asked to be
presented to her.
Just as the last dance started, Alice
came up with Il singularly handsome
man whom she introduced as Mr..
Lan2. With il sudden experience Of
second sight, Jessie felt that he WAS
the boss" Of mammy's son.
II am sure that have heard Of you
before Mr.. Lame" said she, laughing
with Il sight blush, as she thought OF
the yellow eyes and bent nose,
which indeed We're a clricature of the
acquiline profile and yellowish brown
eyes of the man who stood before her.
And !, Miss Cameron, have heard
little else during this winter from the
Misses Ramsay but songs OF praise Of
fered in your name, and like the Queen
Of Sheba, shall | say
No don't ~ cried Jessie, Il thought
that Baltimore men never paid com
piilnents. But tell me, do you know
Richmond at all p
"OuIy by hearsay," said lie, smiling,
although | will make a confession.
My ideal lives there; and by the way,
Miss Cameron, you will be surprised,
for although have never met my Ell
shaver, she and have exchanged let
ters.n
Jessie pretended to be very much
shocked, and the conversation in this
vein flowed on, until Alice and her
partner came to announce that the
cotillon was over
y week or SO drifted away, and it
was growing quite evident to the
Ramsays that Mr.. Lane and Miss
Cameron were merging their ideals
into realities. He, with the usual
denseuess of his sex, had never cvoiy-
ed this bright young girl from mann
may $ ridiculous description, but Jes-
sic had confded her story TO her
friends, vino greatly enjoyed it, and
helped her TO deceive Mr.. Lane by i'll
varlably answering the many notes
that came from him about his engage
ments with her to walk, dance or drive.
When Jessie visit was nearly owe +,
Mr.. Lane decided that Baltimore
would be "a bowling wilderness without
her, unless there was some hope held
out that he might follow her to her
home.
On the last evening of her stay Alice
and Nellie had gone to the theatre
with their parents, leaving Jessie at
home by the library fire nursing Il sup
posed cold, when the door opened and
Allen Lane appeared, and Il few com
monplaces were exchanged.
Miss Jessie, he said, my ideal is
true in part; she is from Richmond"
Indeed shall look her up when |
go back? What shall | say To herr
II intend to do all that Ill! self, " was
the answer. Jessie, lock at me-"
But Jessie preferred to stare at the
fire, and even put up her pretty hands
to shield her face, which was delicious
iy flushed.
MY ideal has golden hair like an
angels he said.
"'Old goldy, with pink and white
chiny cheeks murmured Jessie, in
nocently.
.'Jessie.'' he cried, What Il Ounce
| have been never to guess the truth
before ~
And you,n she told him reproving-
ly, 1.-The greatest liar in the country, a
player on the banjo, and a rider of
phelosiphides.' ;"
Aud you, my own ideal!' he de
clared, as he leaned over the chair and
took her INTERESTINGLY in his arms.
1.-The sweetest mouth, the prettiest
nose" he uuoted. Nanny is right;
you may tell her So"
But Jessie for once could not answer
Perhaps it was as we'll, for love max
ing and repartee do not always go
hand in hand.
Time, with his usual bad taste in
flying rapidly when one, or rather two,
are supremely happy, hurried on.
The Ramsays returned from the
theatre, and the young lawyer, with
IA subdued light in his handsome eyes,
said good night to his betrothed.
Well, the story is told, and Jessie's
next visit to Baltimore will be as Mrs.
Allen Lane.