The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-11
LOVE IN A MIST
By MARTHA NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

things about your dear cousin that was to be.
| Jody Fits"
Six double sets were already dancing under
the big bush arbor when the Radleys drove
UP. High above the dancers a string band
played for dear life while the leader of 1t
called the figures in loud, merry voice.
Out under thu trees other people sat, usually
young people, fttingly paired and 80 rapt
one in the other they had eyes for little else
Ebesde. s SEA
| slight young fellow, with a single glass
dangling from his buttonhole leaned against
a near tree trunk, looking discontentedly
about. He darted at Gussie and caught both
her hands, saying: How dare you be latef
You must have known I was pining for an
other real good fight
You cried Enough! and promised to keep
the peace ever after the last time Gussis
protested. Besides, do not fight enemies
any more. "
I'm ahead of you" Fits said, drawing her
hand through his arm. Il not merely keep
the peace with my enemies love them dear
| ly-one of them, at least
| Your pretty speeches must be sadly IN
need of air. Gussie said with little side
long look at John. 1t amazed her to see
him frown and turn away, gnawing his mus
| tache Fits caught the look and smiled q
| little but pressed toward the arbor, saying
| as they reached the edge of it:
| You are going to dance with me. Now,
can YOU longer doubt my devotion?"
80, don't know. 6 You were always de-
voted to yourself Gussie said, smiling wick
| eddy.
Fits pretended to frown. II see you are
not properly impressed with the change in
me- he said. Understand, I have escaped
from the Jody stage, Instead, behold Joe
| Fits, very much at your service. Do you
| know came down here just to find you?"
sNo, and I don't think 1 shall ever find it
out" Gussie retorted, beating time with her
foot. --s-
The quadrile was in its last whirls. Fits
raised his hand and nodded slightly to the
| leader of the band. Instantly the fddleS
! broke out In the uaddest, meriest twostep.
| Fits caught Gussies baud and said: I've
| been waiting for this. Twosteps were in
vented especially for you. You always
| romped, no matter what the step or the
| figure.
.Can you wonder? All my dancing has
| been done under the rose Gussie said.
! yielding herself to his impulse. Fast, faster.
faster, they went UP and down the arbor,
| eyes Frightening, breath quickendng. ; bare
half dozen other couples dared to follow
| them, Few were so straitlaced as Grand
| mother Wills in the matter of dancing. Still
there was a general feeling that duadrilfes,
or at most cotillions, were the proper things
| for big public companies. Even the Radley
| girls waltzed only at home
John felt himself grow hot as he watched
| Augusta and young Fits through their madly
gay rush. No harm in 1t, Of course. but she
had never waltzed even with him. His brows
/ drew SO portentously together Rose Lee
| smiled significantly as she came UP behind
| him and touched his arm. Evidently she had
| it in 'nand to say Notwithstanding a
| little bit out of the common. But a great
| Gathering stir at the arbor's farther end ST.
| fenced her. A family carriage, rusty and
| ancient had drawn up there, the horses pant
ing and fecked with foam. Out from the
door of it strobe an awful fgure-Grand-
mother Wills, in dead black, the plumes OF
her best bonnet nodding hearsewise over her
forehead. AS she caught sight Of Augusta
| whrling half Enclosed by strangers arms,
she gave a cry that silenced every string and
brought the sparse dancers UP standing.
For half minute words would come.
Then, with the kissing fall Of molten iron.
she cried: 'FWanton!' Shameless wanton!
Never, never shall you darken my doors
again!'
All in a fash Fits appeared to compre-
bend. Lightness fell away from him. He
| stood upright and said clearly, Madame, I
l5have the honor to, ask your Granddaughter in
| marriage"
Who are you? do not know you! IL
have no granddaughter Nine. Wills said
/ Jelly.
Gussie had grown white she left Fits
and went close to the furious old woman.
saying as she bowed her head: Grand
mother, don't, don't curse me- for my moth
ers sake-and your own. Let me go home
with you. 1t was wrong to trick you
Madame turned away as though she had
not heard Softly Fits held out his hands.
Before Gussie could reach him John had
leaped to her side and was holding her close
| in the face of all the world. You're a
trump, but mine is the older claim he said,
holding out hand to Fits. who wrung it
| hard. AS for Gussie, she was too happy and
| too miserable to say word either way