Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1902-11-19

brilliantly illuminated door.
A little murmur of admiration greet
ed Madeleine Montgomery as she en-
tered the ballroom by her mothers
side, and she was at once surrounded
by number of would-b be partners. all
clamorlng for place on her pro-
gramme, for every one knew she was to
be the belle of the ball.
''Ah, if only Jack could have been
here, was her vague, unexpressed
longing, before the glamour of the
dancing and the music swept awav re-
membrance of anything else.
Merrydew claimed her for the first
square dance, then begged for a valse
to follow it.
He was tall, rather dissipated
looking man of about 40 years of ape
and on his handsome face were lines
which more reputable life would
not have set there.
But he danced well, and Madeleine
appreciated a good partner, though
it seemed to her he held her once or
twice n trif1e more tightly than was
necessary. CHANGING at her bouquet,
he had asked whether she was fond
of flowers.
Every! Did you send me these?"
she sad. holding them up. For reply
he merely bowed, and she laid the
floral Offering on her mothers lap.
at is too large to dance with: keep
it for me, please" Then she turned
away, leaning on a laughing sub
altern's arm. At supper Mrs Mont
Cof
with Merrydew as her companion.
He had evidently taken her in.
About an hour later, when Made
leine was sitting out chatting be-
tween two dances, she suddenly found
Merrydcw at her side.
Pardon my interrupting you, but
Mrs. Montgomery sent me. May ]
take you to her?" he said.
Madeleine rose at once, and, taking
his arm, with an apology to her part
ner, she moved away. Merrydew led
her towards the garden, where hun
dreds of fairy lights were scattered
about the sward, outlining the path
ways to many coy corner for mer
ry couples, who sat whispering sweet
nothinss under the moonlit sky.
rs my mother out here?1 asked
elelne, innocently enough. Does
she want me to go home?"
''To GO home? No, the night is
early yet. But she told me l might
bring you here" he said, as they
stopped before tiny arbor with just
enough room for two.
Where is my mother?" said Made
leine, hesitating to take seat inside.
Il lefS her here, but perhaps she
thought 'two's company'-you know
the rest. and I agree with her. Shall
we como imp"
Madeline's instinct warned her;
yet, with the inclination strongly to
refuse, she yielded and sat down.
well, what do you think of your
first bail? You must feel exceeding.
ly elated 1t must be proud mo-
nent II your life"
II am enjoying myself immensely.
for l love dancing. But why elated?
[ should hardly call it that"
You must know you're the pref
test girl in the room. Doesn't that
give you a feeling of elation? 1t
would most women, l should say"
That's compliment, Mr.. Merry
dew, and [ hate them"
Yes, you say you do. All women
profess to hate them, but they APP
preciate them all the same
pardon me, 1 don't; they only
make me uncomfortable.
Uncomfortable? How sensitive
you must be. Are you sentimental as
| we'll rs sensitive?"
Il don't know. I hope not. / pre-
fer to be sensitive, if l must take
my choice. And l expect it's my
! sensitivcness that makes me feel cold
just now. Perhaps we'd better go in
doors again"
That's too unkind. You're chilly
because you keep me at a distance.
| If | come closer you will be warm
enough" and he moved some inches
nearer to her. Now, don't you think
| you could be little sentimental for
once with me?"
He leaned towards her, taking her
| fan from her unwilling fingers, and
| prepared to use it for their joint
benefit. 1t was a glorious night, the
gardens looked like enchanted
ground, besprinkled with jewels of
colored light; above, the blue vault
of heaven was over them, shining
with bright glittering stars; an ideal
| for R1,t ha word c