Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-05-06

''Well. Nell, hear you were belle
rather than a beau at the leap year
dance
ooh, yes; came out victorious and
had glorious time"
"Make any proposals."
Certainly | did"
"How did you get up the courage?'
"It wasn't courage 1 had to get, hut
boomers"
"BIoomersv'
81 escorted Mr.. LELAND. who is n Wis
itor here, and had the pleasure of see
ing Frank look unhappy as we walked
in. l devoted myself TO Mr.. Leland
and firted with several others, while
kept an outlook for Frank.
Finally / s.rolled Off with him and
guided him TO n quiet nook, where we
had the opportunity to talk unObserved.
The music floated dreamily to our ears.
and Frank looked sentimental.
Il felt wicked.
HE had danced but little. Still,
famed him as though he were on the
verge of fainting. been treated that
way myself by thoughtful menu
Then he tries to be chatty. thinking
If he is agreeable that he will be a
belle, 1 suppose.
Lovely floor for dancing, isn't it?'
YES answer. sitting yawn.
"'Quite a crowd too. like the waltz,
believe, better than any of the dances.
prefer it to any of the new dances.
Yes; so do L. (Still l show no in
clination to enjoy one now.)
HE keeps up the small talk, while
look as though planning my escape. Il
have sometimes seen men look that
way) MIR. +. looks well tonight L
say. Gle hates Mr.. Ed
"'And Mr.. G. is n graceful dancer.
but the young man 1 escorted this
evening is the prettiest dancer on the
floor / go on now, growing animated.
'Ah. there's the two step, and l have
that promised me by him now, so l
will take you to the gay crowd again,
as l must ask you 10 excuse me-
'''No; you needn't take me any
where lie snaps. I'm no woman or
baby oh. well. | must play my role.
you know. and be polite To the gentle
men as they are 10 the ladies. But
there's one thing l want to say before
/ 60 and here l look stern.
'''You have been with that Bell Bore
all the evening. Now, if you think
of me, 1 wish you not to
dance with her again. l have my rea-
son for asking this / add. (NIy reason
is to be revenged for some former
thoughtless conduct on his part) Poor
fellow, he is miserable and says in an
aggrieved voice:
'''She asks me, you know, and what
am TO do? l can't insult a lady
Very WELL | retort, If you think
more of her opinion than you do OF
mine. it's all right. and since 1 am TO
leave you here, will you excuse me,
please? 1 bow very low and walk off
with a naughty and injured air.
"Outside l meet Bell looking for him,
and 1 feel mean to think how lonely
Frank must feel. and how like Enoch
Arden he must be for the rest of the
evening. He will hide out from Bell,
know, and she was his escort. so she
will he angry with him for disappear
ing, and the other girls, having noted
his preference for me before leap year,
are Indifferent, leaving him to my ten
der mercies.
81 dance and look happy and smile so
sweetIy on Mr.. Leland that all think he
is winning my heart or that am win
ming his. So keep it UP, which shows
that a woman as well as a man may
smile and smile and he n villain still.
II am unusually gay as / see Frank
glaring at me. having emerged from
his solitude. He has decided to plead
illness and leave the scene where he
has played the wallhower. But 1 ask
him to waltz to detain him. NO,
he mutters. 4 am not dane
Ing
LETS sit and talk them go on
very sweetly.
How can you leave the lovely Mr..
LIZ he asks.
"'Why, 1 could leave anybody for
you 1 say.
"Indeed?' And he looks incredu-
ous.
well, how could you call attention
TO the fact that 1 had danced often
with certain lady when all who run
may read of your infatuation for n
strangerY
"'No; a. visitor 1 say, and so en-