The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-04-29

circumstances, to find myself alone with
Daisy in the dim seclusion of the hack
would have been heavenly. | had, how
ever, too much on my mind to he able
TO loose myself in the bliss of the sit
uation. must deposit Daisy at the ball,
and get started and return for Miss Hop
kins as soon as the horses could carry me
back With her usual quickness, Daisy
at once observed nv nervousness and alb
sent -mindedness, and with her usual frank
ness mentioned it.
1--WE aren't going to funeral, she said,
but to q party.
All little did she know the thorny path
which was trading. In her Ignorance
she did not understand that, hard as the
cushions of the vehicle were, they were
nothing to the uneomfortableness of the
pins and needles on which | was sitting.
| entered the ballroom proudly, In
moment my pretty companion was sur
rounded by an emulous throng of gallanis.
Her dance card speedily filed. OF We
whirled in the first waltz wished that
it would 90 on forever. In the delight Of
holding her in my arms through the may
circles over the polished floor, almost
forgot the trials of my position. | must
away, however, and at the same time,
though | lived in the ecstasy Of the mo-
ment, | feryently longed for the end OF the
dance
DAISY : next partner hurried up. At
once | hurried off | dodged out of the
door. seized my coat and hat made
for the waiting carriage. urged the man
to make all speed to the Hopkins dOmicile.
Miss Flossy was waiting for me, frown
on her stately brow.
''You are late, she observed, sternly.
II was delayed unavoidably,' | STAN
mered "A circumstance over which |
/ have no eontrol-
Alas, how true this was
could see that Flossy was still suspl-
eious aud resentfal Indeed, her whole
manner was frigid in the extreme Al
/ most in silence, we drove % the Odd Eel
/ lows Hall. where the ball was now in full
swing.
Without a word, Miss Hopkins met me
outside the dressing room door and gioom
/ ily took nv arm at once realized that
she was not belle of the same magnitude
a. Daisy. She did not shine with any
;hing like the same light. and applicants
Ter dances were not nearly 50 great in mum
Der. Indeed. foTesaw that might
have difficulty in getting her Oft my hands.
tine or two partners presented themselves
There we're, however, blank places on heI
card which caused nae apprehension. In
the natural order Of things, should have
tilled them with nay name. This was
afraid 10 do. could not bind myself
down. must be able to act | must bs
al liberty 10 take advantage ot eircam
stances. | must be free and unie;tercd,
- that | eOuld hurry from one TO the Other
Of my charges. Such reaIissnesS on ms
part greatly added to Miss Hopkins hau
i.ur. Relations were decidedly strained,
felt that we were really on the verge o,
ho~tilsies
Al lat she danced away with snme an'
else. hastenei to fnd Daisy She wa
in the middle Of she ballroom, twirilns
aboat with my most hated rival. Hicks
At last she paused, PalPiiating. pretty ans
pesulan,-
Where have you been she demand
Ell Instantly
..As it you noticed 3 answered
automatically.
II did, she said. Sitting in som,
eorner. suppose, with some other girl
when | camc with you---
But can't be By your side all ih'
time, argued, regretfully.
Ne" she declared. But You coulS
be- watching me. sha NJ believe wor'
you say Il 6ud sou doing anything els
al Of this evening.
/ was mighty pleased by Daisy concern
| WIS also much embarrassed by her neT
requirement. was each moment, saw
sinking DEEPER in che quicksand. iel
as it another turn had been given to III
rack. S,ill struggled manfully. Still
gave battle to Fate.
| ,haddcr when | recall that evening
Eternal vigilance was my only safety. Tn
moment Daisy appeared to want sOmethin
her fan which she had lost-I must OBJ
serve the fact and be ready 10 find It 70
her. The instant Miss Hopkins desired
pin OF glass Of water. | must be on ham
and run to give it To her was obhge
10 see eyerything-to be everywhere,
hundred eyes and hundred feet woul
no, adequately meet the demands OF tn
situation. had to be an argus and
centipe1e in one The way in which thos
two girls kept me flying from place to place
like social shuttle, made me breathles
and dizzy. No single person could full
have met their muliiiariouS demands
should have been twins.
Time passed. while ! grew hotter an
more weary. The hour Of supper, whie
knew was one of the most critical point
of the evening, was drawing near. tn
moment which had anticipated wit
dread was rapidly approaching. The ques
tion of how finally should get one giT
! and return for the other fell into the back
ground with the necessity for instant action
had decided that nay policy should be on
Of pure opportunism. must try to mee
each difficulty as it arose. In few me
ments the door of the room where the VI
, ands were spread would be thrown open
, | must prepare to grapple with the immed
, ate difficulty.
approached Miss Hopkins timorously
, From the way her straight, dark eyebrow
were drawn, | foreboded evil.
You are having pleasant time
Her black eyes snapped and seemed I
erackle under my Establishments like blae
cat sedulously stroked.
Very, she answered, shortly.
? Supper - | suggested, tentatively
II will 20 to supper at twelve exactly.
E she declared, with precision.
t "Yes, | answered, meekly.
5 | withdrew and consulted my watch
D | noted that the time was half past eleven
Could manage to have Daisy satisfy he
| exceedingly healthy appetite before twelve
Should be able TO induce her 10 wait II
\ later? looked vainly for her among tn
dancers. Searching diligently, came VI
on her in darkened corner. Again sh
was with Hicks.
Ia