The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-03-11

to faIl TO please you, DuC L lave no uTeSS
suit. l nave never had time for social
frivolities. l can't afford to buy one for
this occasion. I couldn't be niger enough
to hire one, so that's the end of it. I'll
have to come dressed in my own fashion
or stay at home
Then you can stay at home,'' she snap
ped.
I'll not do it," he coolly replied.
well | like your i~nsolence."
I'm glad you do. III come as I come
to all such functions, an outsider. I'll sit
out here on the porch in the shadows
and see it from afar. If l could only
dance, I assure you I'd try to fill every
number Of your card. Not being able to
do so, I simply decline to make a fool
of myself"
For that pretty compliment, I'll com
promise with you. Wear that big POM
pous Prince Albert suit you spoke in at
Independence, and I'll come out on the
porch and chat with you a while"
He sat there now in the shadows wait
ing for this ball to begin. 1t was a clear
night the first week in June The new
moon was hanging over the tree tops.
His heart was full to bursting with the
thought that the girl he loved would,
in a few minutes be whirling over that
polished floor to the strains of a waltz,
with another mans arm around her. He
never knew how deeply he hated dancing
befOre-that rhythmic touch of the human
body, set to the melody Of motion, and
voiced in the passionate cry Of music. He
felt its challenge to his love to mortal
combat,-his love that claimed this one
woman as his own, body and soul.
The music from the Italian band was
in full swing, it's plaintive notes instinct
With the passion of sunny Italy, a music
all Southern people love.
He felt that he should choke. A sud
den thought came to him. Tearing a
sheet OF paper from a note book he
scrawlcd this line upon it.
Dear Miss Sallie:-Please let me see
you a moment in the parlor before you
enter the ball room. CASTOR"
At least he would see her in her ball
costume first. Yes, and if she should
nate him for it he would beg her not
to dance that night. He saw Mcleod,
bowling and scraping in the ballroom ar
raycd in faultless full dress, and glancing
toward the door. He knew he was wait
ing for ner to ask her to dance. How he
would like to wiring his handsome neck!
The boy returned Immediately and said
the lady was waiting in the parlor. He
entered with a sense of fear and confu-
sion
She came to him with her bare arm
extended. a dazzling vision of loneliness.
She was dressed in a creamy white crepe
ball gown, cut modcstly dccollette over
her full bust and cleaning shoulders,
sleeveless and held with tiny straps
across tho curve of the upper arm
He was stunned. She smiled III tri-
umph, conscious of her resistlcss pow
CT.
Forgive me for my Scifishness in keep
ing YOU here just a moment from the
rest. l wished to see you first
What? to inspect like mama, to see
if | look all right?'
No with a mad desire to keep YOU as
long as possible from the others"
Then she looked up at him and said
slowly and softly.
Would it please you very much if I
We're not to dance t~onight?"
Il wouldn't dare ask SO selfish a thing
of you. 1t is with you a simple habit Of
polite society, and you enjoy it as a child
does play. I understand that, and yet
if you do not dance tonight, I feel as
though l would crawl round this world
on my hands and knees for you if you
Continued on Fifteenth Page.