Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-01-30

"Wny, AT the La Wrous Duu the Otuck
evening you danced twice running
with him. and then let him take you
you as to supper
"And why? Because you were 40
busily engaged with Laura Ldnerton
that you forgot to come and fetch me ms
you had arranged"
my dear Florence" reconstructed
Norton, shat was a Misunderstanding,
can assure you. As explained 10
you before, 1 have no recollection OF
having made any arrangement with
you as to supper
'Oh. well, don't let us quarrel about
It," interrupted Florence. "Let MS
change the conversation. What did
Captain Courtney say to upset you to-
day."
.'Oh, he was chatting me about our
friendship"
"Yes?" inquired Florence eagerly.
"And what did You say?"
"Oh, / told him that IL burnt my
wings 1t wouldn't be your fault!' re-
piled Norton almost savagely.
Florence gave him a quick side
glance, and then. after moments hes
itation, observed: THAT was some
what silly remark to make, wasn't 1t?
1t might lead him to think that our al
lance was not such success as 1t I'M
doubtedly is"
II don't think So" answered Norton.
II gave him to understand that we had
not altered our opinions in the least
"Oh, that's all right, then! BY the
by. hope you did not forget to invite
him down for the bazaar?'
"Oh, no, j didn't forget! And that
reminds me--did you think of asking
little Laura to help?"
Whom do you mean? The Lifferton
girl? / have not asked her yet, for, TO
tell you the truth, don't much care
for her. She lacks stability; and
well, to put it mildly, she's somewhat
too Eighty for my taste"
"Oh, hope you'll have her!' pleaded
Norton. "She's a jolly little girl, and
always full Of"
IF you want her to come so par
ticularly." interrupted Florence, I'll
write to her directly we get back. And
--er-er-I think we had better be turn
ing now; it looks as though 1t were
going to rain"
The bazaar i'm question was one Of
those innocent conspiracies between
the parson and the ladies whereby GER
tain masculine creatures whose lazi-
ness on Sunday merning prevents them
from Offering their aims and Oblations,
are wheedled, persuaded and cajoled
into assisting in the restoration of
the spire or some other equally neces-
sary and laudable object
On the eventful day the school room
where the stalls had been fitted up was
perfect picture: what with pretty
ers. the effect upon the more youthful
bachelors was bewildering, and the sale
of fancy articles, ut still more fancy
prices, went OH apace.
Captain Courtney was standing near
the door, watching Florence and Nor
ton. and there is great deal OF truth
in the old adage that Lockers on
seen most of the game" especially
when the game is love.
Strolling toward Norton, Courtney
said: Ned, can l have two minutes
conversation with you-quietly?
Yes, dear boy. certainly" replied
Norton. "Come this way. Now, what Is
itT'
Excuse me for putting the question
plainly to you" commenced Courtney
but when two peoples happiness de-
ponds upon the answer one may be par
doned for little bluntness. l want tc
know what your position is with regard
to Miss Masters"
MY position?' repeated Norton, first
flushing up his eyebrows and then
turning deathly pale; I'LL don't
quite understand what you mean!'
'Why, is that platonic arrangement
that you made in the summer still in
existence, or are you something nearer
and dearer than mere friends? Forgive
me for catechising you in this way, but
you know me well enough to be aware
that l should never take such liberty
out of mere curiosity. am sure need
say no more; you will understand 10,
and appreciate my motive when
inquire whether you are engaged tC
Miss Masters, or If your feeling is still
purely platonic."
Norton gasped two or three times like
fish out of water, and then he man
aged to calculate:
Purely platonic."
Courtney shook his limp hand ani
shook 1t effusively, and then with q
happy smile on his countenance III
made his way towards Florence, ani
he never left her all day.
For the best part of an hour Nortor
watched them from the further end o.
the room, eating out his heart i'm tn,
solitude of a crowd. Then, as though
moved by sudden resolution, he walk
ed over to where Laura Lifferton wa.
holding little court of her own, unde
the pretence of selling buttons, ant
soon became one Of the gayest of tn,
gay.
How happy Norton seems to be.
observed Courtney presently.
Indeed! thought just now that h,
appeared rather dull" replied Flor
ence; and then, as she looked over II
the direction indicated, she observe,
him worshipping at the shrine fth
fair Laura, and apparently as happy a
the day was long.
do you think it's match?" contin
ued Courtney.
81 have not heard of anything of tn
kind" answered Florence coldly.
"They would make an excellent pair