Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-12-20

ITO be really gallant, l ought to say
that it is granted; but it will be wiser
ITO know what it is before doing so. .
Every year, on the feast of st. Phil
| ipo, there is a ball given by-well, l
do not know what they are called here
| but in England we call them the mayor
and the corporation. The bail is given
for the visitors. They go to immense
trouble and expense over it, and the
visitors make point of going. Mrs
| Carstone wants to take me-
And you?" he said, gently.
"Oh, Randolph, l long to go. l have
| never been to a ball; l should enjoy
| it so much"
| He knew that to give his consent to
her going to this ball was the most
| imprudent thing he could do; but he
did not know how to refuse her; she
had just been so kind and loving to
him.
My dearest Violet he said, l
| would rather that you gave up the idea
OF going, unless you wish it greatly
| would much prefer your not going -
ooh, Randolph, do you refuse me,
dear? l have never been to a ball;
and they say this will be magnificent
such flowers, such lights! And l long
to dance, just as a Gagged bird longs to
fly"
Would it be such a great pleasure
to you, my darling?" he asked.
The beautiful face raised to his was
very wistful
1T would be the greatest possible
pleasure" she answered.
But, Violet, darling, you cannot
dance"
Il can learn" she cried, eagerly. sIt
comes quite naturally to me to move
to the measures of music
THAT l believe he said.
Mr.. Oscar Carstone says he will
teach me the steps and to waltz
"Mr. Oscar Carstone will do nothing
OF the, kind her husband cried, his
face flushing. Il will teach you my
SELF"
Can you dance, Randolph" she
asked, looking up at him in laughing
wonder.
He was about to answer that he had
been considered one of the best waltz
ers in London, when he stopped alb
ruptly.
Il should not have thought you had
had sufficient leisure in your LIE to
think of dancing. It seems so strange.
When will you teach me, Randolph"
IF you go, l will take you, and, if
you wish to dance, | will teach you"
he replied.
She kissed him in a transport of de-
light; and he was touched at finding
how she longed for little pleasure.
You shall go, Violet" he said, de-
ciseively. Il cannot refuse you But
you have no idea of the trouble of pre-
pairing for ball.
"Trouble!" she repeated. "Why,
Randolph, l should call it unbounded
pleasure"
you must have a ball dress.'' he
said, looking at the beautiful figure,
with it's graceful lines and curves
Violet looked up at him shyly.
L know you will not be willing,
Randolph" she began, with some hest
tation; 'but Mrs. Carstone is going,
and she will wear white MORE She
that is-I-you will not, l know-but
she seemed so anxious too-that l
should have one like it,
you mean," he said, that she dared
offer to give you a ball dress?''
Yes; but she did it so kindly; and,
do you know, Randolph, she seemed
half frightened, as though she hardly
liked doing it."
Il am sure she meant kindly" he re-
piled. q hope you have all the dresses
and everything else you need, Violet
Surely Mrs. Carstone has not imagined
that you require dress?"
Il have too many dresses, rather
than too few" she said
Il will buy you ball dress, and you
will like it all the better because it is
my choosing"
"You will not spend too much money
over it, Randolph? Remember, it will
be a grief to me, not pleasure, if you
do that"
Il will not give one farthing more
than 1 can afford" he said. Il feel
that have committed an imprudence
in agreeing to let you go; but how
could 1 refuse your"
Il love such imprudence," she de-
clared. Aunt Alice said our marriage
was a cruel imprudence, but it has not
been less happy. The ball will be an
imprudence, yet I dare say we shall
both enjoy it."
To be Continued.