River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-02-20

ts2@RSN Mrs. IIaskins, com
J. J. !. .: !. ]. !. J.
W&%SASsAM pressing her lips
XsC6S$ III and settling back
~ \&3%Z in her chair with
NN~ most determined
air. ''Why. one
would think we
were a lot of mummies, the way we
have vegetated here this winter There
hasn't been a thing excepting hat New
Years party at the FOrsythe's, and you
know what a dismal affair that was
Miss Payne WINGED slightly. She GER
tainly did know what dismal affair
the FOrsythe party had been-for her,
more than for anyone else. She was
quite, quite sure that Tom didn't care
at all, and that ne was glad that their
little misunderstanding had occurred
and freed him from an engagement
that was disagreeable TO him. But she
didn't speak of this to Mrs. Haskins,
although she knew that Iittls person
was fully aware of the late unpleas-
antness, and was taking a flemish de-
light in making delicate reference to
subjects calculated to remind her friend
of it. Miss Payne only assented, with
a little nod and half-articulate muir
mur, and Mrs. Haskins went en-:
"NOw, let's not sit and talk about
il. merely, but let's do something. OF
course, we can't celebrate Wash:ngtOn's
Birthday without costume affair.
Suppose we have sIeighing party. 10
wind up at The Hills with a supper
and dance, with everyone in revolution
airy costume. And, OH" the malicious
little wretch went ON, enthusiastically.
You aud Mr.. Enright shall be Martha
and George, and lead the m.luet-a
regular 18th century niinuet.
.N-no, I'd rather not" interrupted
Miss Payne, in half-stit'cd voice. Il
don't-really. I'd rather not take such
a prominent part"
Nonsense, childi" chirped Mrs. Has
Inns, CheerfulIy. you'll MAX, = per
fectly lovely Martha, and Tom Enright
can be so stately and dignifed when
he chooses and, besides, he's one of
the very few men in town who can af
ford to be seen in shCrt trousers"
And the little woman went on TO out
line her plans for the celebration. ig-
nOring Gladys all-tOoapparent misery.
and the poor girls efforts TO decline
the unwelcome honor she proposed to
thrust upon her.
Il won't! can't" C'-1ys declared
TO herself. passionatcly, as she hurried
down the graveled pathway of the
Haskins' place. I'D rather die. indeed
1 would, and still l couldn't e plain it
20 her, even if she does know already
the spiteful wretch! hope he'll man
age to decline, though"
But Mr.. Enr.ght did nothing of the
kind. In fact. he had felt for some
time as though he would give anything
on earth Tor an opportunity to speak
TO Gladys an1 tell her how sorry he was
Tor the way he had acted over her
dancing with Neville three times at
the FOrsythe psirty-thc fac; being.
however, that he really had inst cause
for being jealous and indignant, aud
that Gladys was the one from whom
the apology was due. So, when Mrs
Hasllins preached her plans to him,
she was rather taken aback at the
alacrity with which he consented to
impersOnatc the Fatherof His County,
for she had anticipated her usual keen
enjoyment in probing anothcr's
wound.
The Hills" was a little summer ho-
tel situated in a pleasant valley about
ten miles from MillstOn. and, although
closed to The general public through
the winter. was the scene of occasional
festivities inaugurated by Millston
people. 1t had a delightful ballroom.
and, better yet, the couple who had
charge of the premises from season to
season were phCmon email caterers.
The 2sd of February came. and
the morning ushered in delight
full weather, which, together with
recent snowfall, combined TO
make il an ideal day for sIeighing.
Most of che merry-maaers gathered at
Mrs. Haskins' house in the afternoon.
and Enright looked eagerly for Gladys.
hoping. vet half afraid, that she would
be member of the same party as him
self-and when he saw her go by.
flushed and haPpy-looking. in yong
Neville's cutter, alone with that mCst
objectionable youth. he was very bit
ter. and was almost ready To give up
going. Put he didn't Instead. he de-
voted himself most assiduously TO a
certain Miss Glezer. much 70 her graft
fication and the mystificaticn of sew
eral of tie others. who were rot aware
of his disagreement with Gladys.
There had been a change of pro
gramme, which involved Dinner at The
Hills, more sleighing. then some Wash
.ngton tableadN, and the ball. and En-
right and his ex-fiancee met at dinner
thanks 20 Mrs. gaskins. who. follow
ing her usual malicious tactics, had 81
managed as to seat them next TO each
other.
Il hope" quietly said Enright, with
polite gravity, just after the soup was
seryed-''I hore, Miss Payne. that you
do not think this meeting one of any
seeking. / would have avoided it had
IL been possible to do so"
Pray don't be distressed, Mr.. En-.
right" replied the girl. Jelly. I'VE are
quite agreed on that point; 50, perhaps
the less said the better"
Thencefcrwa1d. throughout she
meal. Enr.ght directed his converse
ton elsewhere. sayagely noting, how
tNNls tue 4tNSAtSA Eoa tAN dtiI a tifaAFh'
indifference TO himself 0f The girl be
Lad once expected TO marry.
Gold. cruel. utterly heart!ess," be
declared 20 himself. after the fashion
of jealous lovers from time imr3e-
mortal. And, after the fashion of the
same. he proceeded TO act as though e
too, were entirely indifferent, or. in
deed. rather glad that il was all over be
tween them.
as Cor Gladys. she vehemently told
herself bali dozen tlnlss- tlat shs