Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-02-27

Betty's fan between two dances, at
tempted to propose to her during the
sunrise waltz. Having sung "Oh, be-
lieve mer In her ear as loudly as he
could, he expressed the wish, quite as
loudly, THAT this waltz might last for
always"
That was the seventh time 1t had
been said to Betty during the night,
and, though Mr.. Chenoweth's predeces-
sOrs had revealed their desires In
guise lacking this prodigious artlcss-
ness, she already possessed no novel ac-
quaintance with the exclamation, but
she made no comment. Her partners
style wus not stimulant to repartee.
1T would be heaven" he amplified
earnestly; ut would be heaven to dance
with you forever-on desert isle
where the others couldn't come" he
finishcS with sudden acerbity as his eye
caught the generals.
He proceeded, and only the cessation
Of the music aided Miss Carewe in stop
ping the declaration before it was al-
together out, and ut that point Franks
own father came to her rescue, though
In q fashion little saving Of her con-
fusion. The elder Chenoweth was one
Of the gallant and kindly southern COL
ony that made it natural for Rouen al
ways to speak Of Miss Carewe rs Miss
Betty. He was handsome old fellow,
whose hair, long mustache and impe-
rial were as white as lie was proud Of
them, a Virginian with the admirable
southern fearlessness Of being thought
sentimental. Mounting chair with
complete dignity. he proposed the health
of his young hostess. He. made a
speech of some length, pronouncing
himself quite as hopelessly in love with
his old friends daughter as all could
see his own son was, and wishing her
long life and prosperity, with many
illusions to fragrant bowers and the
muses..
1t made Miss Betty happy, but 1t was
rather trying, too, for she could only
stand with dOwncast eyes before them
all, trembling Il little, and receiving q
mixed impression Of Mr.. Chenoweths
remarks, catching fragments here and
there. AS the old gentleman finished,
Fanchon Bareaud, kissing her hand to
Betty. began to sing, and they all join
ed in, lifting their glasses to the blush
ing and happy girl clinging to her ia
Tiers arm:
"Thou wouldst still be adored as this mo-
ment thou art.
Let thy loveliness fade as 1t Will.
And around the dear ruin each wish OF
my heart
Would intwine itself verdantly STILL"
They were happy people who had not
learned to be self conscious enough to
fear doing pretty thing openly with
out mocking themselves for 1t, and 1t
was a brave circle they made about
Betty Carewe, the charming faces of
the women and their fine furbelows,
handsome men and tall, all so gay, so
cheerily smiling and yet so earnest IN
their welcome to her. No one was
afraid to 'let out" his voice; their song
went full and strong over the waking
town, and when it was finished the ball
was over too.
The veranda and the path to the gate
became like tropic gardens, the fair
colors of the women's dresses, balloon
ing III the early breeze, making the
place seem strewn with giant BIOS
SONS. They all went away Mt the sSme
time, those in carriages calling fire
wells to each other and to the little
professions departing on foot In diff
ferent directions to homes near by.
The sound Of the voices and laughter
drew away, slowly died out altogether,
and the silence Of the street was
strange and unfamiliar to Betty. She
went to the hedge and watched the
musicians, who were the last to 60,
until they passed from sight little
black toilsome figures, carrying gro
tesaue black boxes. While she could
still see them it seemed to her that her
ball was not quite over, and she wish
ed to hold the least speck Of 1t as long
as she could, but when they had dis
appeared she faced the truth with a
deep sigh. The long, glorious night was
finished indeed.
What she needed now was another
girl. The two would have gone to Bet
tvs room and danced 1t all over again
until noon, but she had only her father.
She found him contentedly smoking a
cigar upon the veranda, SO she seated
herself timidly, nevertheless with
hopeful glance ut him, on the steps
ut his feet, and as she did so he
looked down upon her with something
more akin to geniallty than anything
she had ever seen in his eye before.
They did not know each other very
well. and she often doubted that they
would ever become intimate. This