The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-03-29

MATURE had never intended that
IN Lamson should dance. by every
law of grace and anatomy, he should
have withheld himself from the fes-
tive waltz and two step; yet Lamson
had wild desire 10 learn to dance.
Worst of all. this longing came upon
him after he was % years old, and
the person who learns to dance well
after IS is rarer than white black
bird.
The reason for Lamson's sudden
interest in dancing was because he
believed that as a dancer he would
he on the air line to Mary Ellen's
heart. Mary Ellen Anstruther could
dance as lightly as thistle down in a
south breeze. and young Perkins, de-
testable youth. who wore plaid vests
and giggled behind "A fawn mustache.
was her favoritc partner. The first
time Lamson ever saw Mary Ellen
she was dancing. and he was smitten
with n great love for her, and n cor
responding great hate for her part
ner. Perkins. Lamson himself was
tonnging in n doorway, disconsolate
and alone. He was not n dancing
man, and he had come to the party
under protest. But Mrs. Ray had
one day descended on him in his Of
fec and said that il he did not come
she would never forgive him to the
last day Of her life. So he had gone,
and was spending listless evening.
trying to keep out OF the way Of the
dancers.
After he saw Mary Ellen he began
TO take an interest in things. He
slated around the edge of the BALI
room until he found Mrs. Ray. lie
asked her to introduce him TO the
pretty girl who was dancing with
the pigeon-t ocd. blond young man"
Perkins was not pigeon-toed-that
was a gratuitous insult invented by
Lamson on the spur of the moment.
T.amson was introduced to Mary
Ellen. On closer view he decided that
she was even prettier than he had
thought at first. No one could know
how long and curlcd her cyclashcs
were who did not see her close, nor
nor could he fully appreciate the
quaint turn of her under lip as II
merged into her chin.
Lamson talked to her for five short
minutes, then gawky youth bore
her away for waltz. Lamson spent
the remainder Of the evening follow
ing Mary Ellen about so he could
e.. 20
tween dances. just when he begar
to enjoy himself she was always
whirled away from him. He sug
gcstcd that she sit down and rest
She laughed and showed him her card
which was scrawled all over will
hieroglyphics. II wish you weren
so popular" Lamson said; then 20,
would have time TO talk to me-"
Mary Ellen held up her hands II
horror. "Oh. wall flower! Tha
would be horrid could nevel
hold up my head again |
my card wasn't filed up. But
Mr.. Lamson," she added. Il
you really want 10 talk to me, yo'
might come over to our house som'
day and call. don't dance then, an,
I'm sure you'd soon get tired of hear
ing me talk"
Lamson learned her address jus
as she was joining the cotillion. III
called on her the very next cvcnin!
but one. Lamson found that he di
not tire of hearing Mary Ellen talk
Afterwards he seldom Remembered
just what she had talked Of. but h
was apt to watch the dimple i'm he
eight cheek MS il came and went, an
so lost much Of the drift of her con
vcrsation. Iamson would have bee
quite content TO spend every cvcnin
IN the parlor Of Mary Ellcn's father
but she had many engagements
Lamson could go to theatcrs an
concerts and card parties. but whe
u came to dancing he had to ,