The Lamar register., 1903-05-13
CHAPTER iv.-(continued.)

her side, trife in the background,
courtesying low when her aunt cour-
tested in mute acknowledgment or the
announcements made by the ushers IN
attendance as to who was who. BE-
fore this bewildering ordeal was prop
erlY at an end, a youth invited her
to waltz; thereupon, having received
a smiling nod of permission from her
aunt, she went away with him to the
ballroom which was already possessed
by whirling coupled. Successive part
ners claimed her, and with each new
trial her confidence increased. Soon
she was flying over the smooth floor
as blithely as any. flushed with tri-
umph. radiant. painting, indifferently
conscious that her dress was torn,
scarcely hearing what was said to
her and scarcely knowing what she
said. Then 1t was supper time, ana
she had chance to sit down and try
to comprehend the gala scene. while
more youths fitted about her like
moths, hardly introduced before they
were gone. yet sometimes returning
for moment as though not unwilling
to become fascinated.
The german was led by Eleanor and
young man experienced in such mat
ters, and daylight was peeping through
the windows before the last polka had
come to d close. eliciting melodra-
matte sigh from the half-hundred
dancers who still remained on the
floor, and stopped now only at the
command of obdurate parents. Fif-
teen minutes later, Emma and Eleanor
were sitting on sofa slipping hot
bouillon by daylight, amid the debris
of the ball room. Harold had slipped
away to bed. but the two women pre-
ferred to talk the party over be-
fore retiring. Eeanor's cheeks
were still flushed with excite
ment, and she seemed as
loath to separate herself from the
mass of bouquets and german knick-
knacks in her zap, or pendant from her
person, as a hem from her chickabid-
dies.
well, my dear" said Emma, with
contented smile that lapsed into
yawn as she leaned back against the
cushions. what did you think of it?"
/"Oh, had gorgeous time, and I'm
SO sorry it's over. | enjoyed every
minute, and | shall never forget your
kindness, Aunt Emma-yours and
Uncle Harold's."
This is only beginning-of many
similar times. l mean. AS you get to
know more people you will enjoy your
self still more. l must say, though.
you were decidedly belle. How many
favors?"
Sixteen in all; and felt before
hand that IL l got even two l should be
fortunate. Aren't they lovely?" she
added, burying her face in a bunch of
roses, and holding 1t out for inspec-
tion.
Emma smiled cogitatively.
who gave them to you?" she
asked.
I've been trying to remember.
There were several from men l didn't
know the names of. Mr.. Moore gave
me boquet, so did Mr.. Page; and one
of the plumes was from Mr.. Warren.
Then think Mr.. Porter or Cotter-
couldn't maze out the name exact
1y-"
ALEC Trotter probably"
"Oh, yes; l remember one of the 9TH
ers called him Alec Well, he gave
me boquet."
He's great swell, but he won't be
hAttcIcu Wheh NSii hiii tiioe ycu
called him Porter and 'Cotter.' The
Trotters think there is no name to
conjure with but theirs"
"Oh! you mustn't let him know,
Aunt Emma"
You foolish child, Tell me, how
did you get along with Mr.. Page?"
Very well, think. He talked to me
at supper and several times in the ger
Owen Page is very nice fellow"
said Emma, unequivocally.
It's pretty name. There was
cobbler at home named owen Glynn,
and used to think that if l ever wrote
novel l would name the hero after
him: but Owen Page is more aristo-
cratic"
He is named after his grandfather,
who died two or three years ago,
leaving a great deal of money. His
mother and his father are dead, and
he and his two sisters-they were
both here to-night-came in for the
whole of it. Last winter he was in
Europe, but l fancy he means to de-
vote himself to going about at home
this year"
Such was Eleanor's introduction
into society. and, as her aunt had fore
told. the ball at the Stages was but
the first of a series of entertainments
at which she appeared during the sea-
son. Emma knew well that nothing
but eternal vigilance would save her
from becoming merely one of the mass
of girls who went to party after party
to dance with the stupid or awkward
men. Thanks to the instruction be-
slowed on her, she did not offend by
peculiarities, and was even extremely
presentable; but though pretty and
piquant-looking, she was not much
more SO than the average, and she
was undeniably quiet-dull even, Mrs.
St.gg believed in her heart of hearts.
1t was only reasonable to expect that
after the glamor of the ball was over
she would sink into obscurity. Why
not? She was Harold Stages niece.
but he had children Of his own and