Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-06-04

and for an instant there was a flush
on his face; but 1t passed off, and with
a word of encouragement, he led me
toward tho music room, where Dell
| Thompson was numerically pounding n
observation-disclosures piano, which groan-
ed and shrieked under the inlliotfon,
while the bystanders, who had insisted
upon her playing, were all talking togeth-
er. seemingly intent upon seeing which
could make the most noise, they or the
instrument.
"Do you play, Miss LeeT was ssked
me by half dozen or more.
had taken lessons two quarters, and
l could play few dancing tunes,
msrches, etc, and so l said, whereupon
they insisted upon my favoring them
with Money Musk" as they wanted to
dance, and none of them could perform
anything as old-fashioned as that. l
looked at Doctor Clayton, who in low
tone, asked, Are you sure you can get
through with it?"
Something, l am sure, must have in
spired me, for never before did play
SO well; keeping perfect time, and strk-
ing every note distinctly. My audience
were evidently both surprised and pleas
|
until my list was exhausted. when one
of the gentlemen, more thoughtful than
the ladies', suggested the possibility Of
my being tired.
Perhaps she dances, too. Ask her,
Bob" said a young lady, while Dell
eagerly rejoned, "Oh, yes, do" but Bob
was fOrestalled by Doctor Clayton, who
for several minutes had stood by my
side, complimenting my playing, ard
who now asked me to be his partner in
the next cotillon, his cousin having vol
unteered to take my place at the piano.
In my excitement l forgot my shoes,
forgot everything, save that Doctor
Clayton was looking down upon me, that
my hapd was resting in his, and ere l
was aware of it found myself upon the
floor. l was perfectly familiar with the
changes of the cotllon; but at my right
was John Thompson, who, when 1t came
his turn to swing with me, refused to
take my hand, treating me with such
marked insolence that l became confused
and made several mistakes, at which he
laughed contemptuousy. Besides this
my big shoes incommoded me: and at
last, in the midst of the promenade. one
Of them dropped of, the cotton ball roll
ed out, l tripped, lost my balance, and
after two or three headlong plunges. fell
tist at the feet of Doctor Clayton. who
stood aghast with surprise and NORTH
cation. I gathered myself up. and fed
from the room: but not until l heard
Dell Thompson say, AZ she picked UP
the shoe and passed 1t to Doctor Clay
ton, ut ia Mrs. Ross; she hadn't any Of
her own which she thought suitable, and
so she borrowed"
Rushing up the stairs. found my
shawl and bonnet; and then, without q
word to any one, started for home. minus
my shoe, which l entirely forgot in my
excitement. 1 had scarcely got outside
the gate when the sound of a footstep
caused me to look around. and | saw
Doctor Clayton, his hat in one hand and
Mrs. Ross slipper in the other. This
last he passed to me, and then without
word drew my arm within his, and for
a time we walked on in silence, while
cried as if my heart would break. Com.
ing at last to an old oak tree, under
which a rude bench had been construct
ed. he bid me sit down, and placing
himself by my side asked me, what
: was the matterr
You know well enough what's the
matter" l said, angrily, struggling tc
RISE but his arm was strong, and he helC
me fast, while he tried to quiet me- anC
in this he soon succeeded, for he pos
] sessed over me a power which l could
not resist.
: Gradually, as grew calm. told hin
e all; how l believed that Dell Thompson
L had invited me only to ridicule me, how
/ she had asked me to come in the after
l. noon, and then made fun of me for co
d ing so; while her companions called m
II green; and that in the absence Of IN,
y own slippers l had worn those of Mrs
Ross, thereby meeting with the wors
L catastrophe of all, to wit, the falling fla
C in the dance.
l. For time the doctor said nothing
" but the arm, which all the time had or
s. circled my waist, drew me still closer t
lie his side, while he at last replied, Ssh
~ is jealous of you-jealous because sh
DE- thinks | like the little Rosa better tina
IL | do her"
rs And it's very foolish in her to thin
y sou / exclaimed.
~ Then followed a long conversation i
- which much was said, which had far be
- ter been left unsaid; for / was n warn
- hearted impulsive child, believing thi
or | TO him was what he was to me. An
w. still he did not once commit himself, nt
- in what he said was there augAt whic
al could possibly have been construed I'M
I an avowal Of anything save friendshi
No which was the theme upon which he raj
ne many a change. Alas, for such fren
ships! They are dangerous for one
m. peace of mind, particularly if told b
NV meath an old oak tree with the silver
70 moonlight shining down upon you, NJ
mo the soft summer air gently moving Il
green leaves above your head. How lol
oc- we sat there l do not know; but | W
nd the first to propose going, telling hi
rIn they would miss him at the party, al
md wonder at his absence,
his Let them wonder then" said he.
ok have no intention of returning to 4
an house. 1t would be intolerable after Il
up, pleasant chat with you, so | shall ju
md | get my horse and go quietly home"