The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-04-10

fluttering little laugh. looking up into
his face with half shy, half apologet-
ic manner and then dropping her lashes
before his gaze.
''oh, well." said Brandon. with n
Frenchman's shrug of the shoulders.
and then moved or as II about TO leave
the floor.
But IS that really the way you
they dance it-with your-their arm
around my-a lady's waist:"
81 should not have dared venture up
on such familiarity otherwise" an
swered Brandon, with a gIimmer OF a
smile playing around his lips and hid
ing In his eyes.
Mary saw this shadowy smile and
said: ''oh, l fear your modesty will
cause you hurt l am beginning TO be-
lieve you would dare do anything you
are n very bold man, Notwithstanding
your smooth. modest manner"
You do me foul wrong, assure you.
am the soul of modesty. and grieve
that you should think me bold" said
Brandon, with broadening smile.
| Mary interrupted him. Now, do
believe You are laughing at meat my
prudery, suppose you think it."
Mary would rather have been called
| o fool than prude. and I think she
was right. Prudery is 10 more a sign
of virtue than a wig is of hair. 1t is
usually put Oh TO hide Il bald place.
The princess stood irresolute for c
moment in evident hesitation and an
noyance.
"You are grieving because l think
you bold. Aud yet you stand there
laughing AT me to my face. | think so
more than ever now. / know it. oh.
you make me angry. Don't, l do not
like persons who anger me and then
laugh at me-" This turned Brandons
smile into laugh. which he could not
hold back.
Mary's eyes shot fire. and she stamp
ed her foot, exclaiming: .'Sir. this goes
beyond all bounds, l will not tolerate
your boldness another moment" ]
thought she was going to dismiss him.
but she did not. The time had come
when he or she must be the master.
Ii was a battle royal between the
forces OH the floor, and enjoyed it and
felt that Brandon would come out all
right.
He said good humoredly: what.
Shall you have all the laugh in your
sleeve at my expense? Do you expect
to bring me here to win a wager for
you made on the assumption of my
stupidity and lack of social accom-
plishments and then complain when II
comes my turn to laugh? l think l am
the one who should be offended, but
! you see l am not"
"Caskoden. did you tell him?" de
, manded Mary, evidently referring tC
the wager.
: He said not word of it." broke in
. Brandon. answering for me. Il should
: have been a dullard indeed not TO hav,
seen 1t myself after what you sait
. about the loss OF your 10 crowns. 81
, Jet us cry quits and begin again."
, Mary reluctantly struck her flag.
Every well, am willing" she sait
! laughingly: but, as to your boldness
2 l still insist upon that. ] forgive you
I however. this time" Then. half apollo
getically, AFTER all, IL is not such ;
grievous charge to make. l believe
never yet injured any man with won
/ en-. They rather Ike II, am afraid
: however angry II makes them. Don
: they, Janef"
Jane, of course. did not know, 8
c we all laughed, as usual, upon tn
slightest pretext, and Mary, that fai
). bundle OF contradictions and quic
u transitions. stepped boldly up to Bran
Il a xu-s41 kAr Ax-fr. In. hl
e cheeks, ready for the first lesson in th
o new dance.
She was little frightened at his arr
z around her waist. for the embrace wa
:. new to her-the first touch Of man-an
s was shy and coy. though willing, .bein
p determined to learn the dance. Sh
J. was an apt pupil and soon glided sof
E. ly and graciously around the room wit
unfeigned delight, yielding to the me-
y situation more easily as she becam
y accustomed to IL.
This dance was livelier exercise tina
10 Ia Gnlliard. and Mary could not tai
> much for lack of breath. Brandon keI
.. the conversation going, though, and ST
- answered with glances, smiles. not
ard monosyllab a very good vocal
ulary in its way. and very good wa
too. for that matter.
Once he said something to her In
low voice. which brought flush to h'
cheeks and caused her TO glance quic
:. ly up into his face. By the time b.
answer came they were nearer us. al
| heard her say: Il am afraid | sha
have TO forgive you again If you n
~ not careful. Let me see an exhibiti'
:, of that modesty you so much boast
But smile and a fash of the ey
went with the words and took all Il
" sting out of them.
After a time the dancers stopped. al
~ Mary. with flushed face aud sparklil
-, eyes. sank into a chair. exclaimin
=" THE new dance is delightful. Jane.
~ is like flying. your partner helps you !
W But what would the king say-and {
queen? She would simply swoon wi
=. horror 1t is delightful, though" The
-, with more confusion in her mann
e' than had ever before seen. That
ter it is delightful IL one chooses her pa
Ut ner,"
This only made matters worse a
gave Brandon an opportunity.
me Dare hope?" he asked. with a d.
ne erential bow.
Ia 'oh. yes; you may hope. l tell Y
frankly it was delightful with "
yer Now, are you satisfied, my modest oil
lor Jane, see we have forward bo
the here. No telling what he will be
he next" said Mary, with evident imI
Try tience. rapidly swaying her fan. S
att spoke almost sharply, for Brando
I'm. attitude was more that of an eo,
CIV tban sha vros accustomed IN and