Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-05-18

bcAote, anu win Such fdppy smiles curl
ing round his good-tempered mouth, here
he was presently at his mothers side,
with many a loving word and compli-
mentary speech. And presently Maud
and Maggie. looking superb in their new
dresses, and with dancing rays Of joyous
light in their bright eyes.
My darlings"' whispers Mrs. Chol-
m9ndely, and then she kisses them both,
and tells them that they are TO be joyous
tonight. and not to tire themselves.
Presently the Colonel and Archie. the
old man with an important. fussy man
ner, but very happy. Notwithstanding;
/ and Archie. with all his heart in his eyes
I as he kisses his Maudie, who hands him
/ off very daintily and says. BE very care
( full, Archie. or you viii tumble my dress"
/ Meanwhile the Colonel and Ernest and
/ Maggie had taken stroll through the
rooms, aud the old Colonel was highly
| delighted
| Ernest be said: did you ever see
a pret'ier effect in all your life, eli?
Il quite agree with you" Ernest had
returned, not hearing a word he said, but
thinking this al all events a safe answer.
He was speaking to Maggie; and he was
almost whispering to her in his eager at
tempts to be very impressive.
Il believe there is to be some dancing.
Miss Duncombe," he says, touching the
| small hand that lies so lightly OH his
arm, and wondering what sized glove the
little mite is inclosed in; you will give
me the first waltz. viii you nots"
''Oh. yes, and / shall be so pleased"
she replies, looking up with pure. truth
full eyes: and the brave Captain feels
that he would give all the world il h1
might take her in his arms aud press her
to his heart; but he is obliged to content
himself with being near her. pressing her
hand now and again.
He engages her for every other lance;
and very heartily he congratulates him
self later in the evening, when for Vim
she has 70 refuse every one, even TIE
Colonel himself
The guests begin to arrive presently,
and the gallant Captain is in great re-
quest, aud very popular. The men adj
mire and like him. and the women are
quite prepared TO dote on him, and con-
sole him for being so long a bachelor.
IL he wishes to enter the matrimonial
state.
Maggie is also very popular. In a
quiet manner, and rs il by the merest
accident, she is surrounded by group
Of men, each anu every one Of which is
anxious to engage the attention Of the
dark heroine in some way or the other.
and she has quite enough to do now to
hold her own.
But presently there IS little rustic in
the rustic arbor. cunniRgly eontrived be-
tween the archway Of the rooms. aud for
moment m exquisite strain OF gentle
music swelling through the apartment
And then there is a general rush for part
ners as the Power Of Love Waltz
floats through the scented air.
Half a dozen gallant fellows, almost on
their knees, beg for just this one waltz;
but Maggie declares she has been engag-
ed all the evening for the first dance
And Ernest, who has been cycling the
group with a maleyolent smile, comes up,
radiant with triumph, to claim her
hand.
And so they float round and round the
room to the exquisite, sensuous strains.
and Ernest is bending over her, catching
the scent from her hair. And presently
she is looking up a, him in ecstacy. for
she dearly loves waliring: and he muir
murs the "Satanella' song. and whis-
pers to her. "Such thy power. oh. love-
Poor Ernest he is mad--utterly mad
as tie veriest visionary in the wide world
Intoxicated, with this woman's dark.
captivating beauty. He feels his blood
flowing like molten lava through his
veins: and he would just now give the
whole world, il 1t belonged TO him. or If
he were the arbiter of the fates of man
kind. he would sacrifice them all for
the knowledge that this woman loved
him ever so little. Mother, sister. friends.
prespects-all sunk into insignifcapce
beside this mad love Of a sew days.
and you could as easily turn mill
stream az this impetuous young man
from his course.
They so down to supper presently, and
there is great animation, and much fun.
TOO. The whole party represents pref
ty sight The white cloths--the gold
and silver ornaments~-the crystal vases
flied with flowers the glass drops gilt
tering In flashes Of variegated colors-
the handsome men and women. all look
ing their best--the sheen and glitter
Of silks and satins. laces and jewels
the pleasant, musical. ripping laughter,
and low hum and murmur Of voices
But fairyland cannot last forever: and
80 presently they go back TO the drawing
room. where Ernest has promised to give
his little specially entertainment, to tho
great and expectant Joy OF the guests.
There is To he no more dancing. so a
screen has been placed between the two
rooms. and the lounges and touches
brought in and the wax candles lighted,
aud everything made to look very inyit-
ing. They troop back TO the drawing
room In the widest spirits, ana presently
they are comfortably arranged. and
ready Tor anything ia the way OF amuse-
ment or fun. The old Colonel offers to
sing them hunting song. and Maud
plays him an accompaniment; and they
beat ire with their feet and hands as
the old man trolls ont. In a hearty voice.
a song Of praise, having fer its burden,
a southerly wind and a cloudy sky"
There is great applause at the close Of
the sohg; and then pretty Irish melody
from Maud. sung 50 feeiiugly that every
heart is touched
Then follows Ernest's imitation OF va
rious birds. aud the learning OF the Ger
man Aute on a walking stick At its
conclusion he gazes round upon the party
and his eyes rest on Maggie. who, all
aglow with delight vad enjoyment. is
clapping her hands aud looking eagerly
at him with such delicious. happy face
that he takes her expression for an ap
prevail of the loud encore that has greet
ed the finish of his performance.
Maggie next sits down to the piano.
4 al