The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1903-02-04
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!, LOVE IN
A NJ S T
By Martha McCulioch- Williams
) Copyright, 1902, by the
/ S. S. Mcclure Company
: o>o~e~e~e~e~e~e~e,
Copyright, 1902, by the

q 3. 5. Mcclure Company a
>o% o% o = o . O. o %e% 500
Augusta scampered across the pas
ture. the very mode and pattern of In
nocent wickedness. Clothed all In fad
ed calico and Tapping sun hat. her new
pink lawn lay deftly hidden In the
depths Of her berry basket, with her
bronze ties and clicked silk stockings
nestled snugly underneath. She was
going surreptitiously to barn dance,
albeit her grandmother thought dane
ing among the deadly sins. She knew
she would get wigging afterward
Still. she did not mean to let the knowl-
edge in any way dim the splendor Of
the day.
The Radiey house lay just beyond
the berry field. Once she reached 1t
she was safe. Mrs. Radley had indeed
melted her going, offering to take her
in the carryall along with her own
girls. Mrs. Radley was so plump and
yielding and obstinate even Grand
mother Wills could not quarrel with
her. She was as motherly as she was
plump. Now, for two years she had
been persuading her son John to marry
Augusta, $50 as to let the poor thing
have little fun and the chance to feel
that her soul was her own" John and
Augusta had laughed Jointly over his
mothers matchmaking. They were the
best friends in the world, but had quite
other views for themselves.
Here's hat, Gussle. l knew you
never could smuggle out that fine chip
fiat you have not worn twice this sum-
mer," Mrs. Radley said, setting a pic
turesque rough straw turban upon the
runaway's head as the last hook on the
pink lawn snapped into place. MY,
but you do look pretty" she went on.
Then over her shoulder to John, She'll
outshine everybody, won't she, Jack7"
Except one" John answered. Rose
Lee IL be there, you know. That re-
minds me. She's to fetch her city cous.
in. There's a chance for you, Gus!
Rose says he has more money than he
well knows how to spend"
81 wonder II he has changed" Gus
said, laughing, cor IL he Is the same
little whining beast he was that sum-
Ier nine years ago"
"Why, where did you ever see him 2"
John demanded in open eyed wonder
Again Gussie laughed. His grand
mother and mine were cronies ut the
springs" she said. Don't you re-
member our going to the mountains?
Those two old ladies' thought l was
born to take care of Jody. How l
should have hated him II l had not
been so sorry for anything compelled
to suffer that namei He was so sick
ly and spoiled and Just plain hateful
along with 1t. Ugh! I'm sorry he's
coming. He quite scorned dancing
with me--snid was clumsy-but al
ways believed It was spite beat him
so far when 1t came to climbing trees
or even throwing rocks
And you never told me word Of all
this" John said little reproachfully.
Gussie tweaked his ear, answering
softly: "Of course not. You have been
in love with Rose since you wore trou-
sers. l wouldn't say things about
your dear cousin that was to be, Jody
Fits"
Six double sets were already dane
ing 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 I'M
der the trees other people sat. usually
young people. fittingly paired and 30
rapt one In the other they had eyes for
little else besides.
A slight young fellow, with a single
glass dangling from his buttonhole,
leaned against near tree trunk, look
ing discontentedly about. He darted
at Gusse and caught both her hands
saying: How dare you be late? You
must have known l was pining for
another real good fight"
you cried Enough and promised
to keep the peace ever after the last
time" Gussie protested. Besides, !
do not fight enemies any more"
I'm ahead Of you," Fits said, draw
ing her hand through his arm. II not
merely keep the peace with my enc
mics; ! love them dearly-one of them
at least"
your pretty speeches must be sadly
in need Of air." Gussie said. with lit
tie sidelong look at John. 1t amazed
her to see him frown and turn away,
gnawing his mustache. Fits caught
the look and smiled little, but press
ed toward the arbor, saying as they
reached the edge Of 1t:
you are going to dance with me.
Now. can you longer doubt my devo-
tion?v
"Oh, don't know. You were al
ways devoted to yourself" Gussie said.
smiling wickedly.
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 your
find It out" Gussie retorted, beating
time with her foot.
The quadrille was in its last whirls.
Fits raised his hand and nodded slight
ly to the leader Of the band Instantly
the fiddles broke out in the maddest,
merriest twostep.
Fits caught Gussie's hand and said:
ave been waiting for this. Twosteps
were Invented 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 quiekening. A 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
quadrilles, or at most cotillons, were
the proper things for big public COM
panies. Even the Radley girls waltzed
zxt.x 49,