Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-04-10

with her young neighbors. Arthur Cal
thorpe, too, was delightful; and he had
said that he intended to invite her Ger
man master.
st will be what is called a mixed ball,
SO there will be no harm in my dancing
even with him, if he asks me-" thought
Ella to herself; and then she threw up
her white arms and clapped her fair hands
joyously, leaned over the balcony and be-
gan to sing a merry French song, but in
a low key, for fear her mother should by
som chance oyerhear her, and come in
with that white wrath upon her face
which the girl so dreaded.
Suddenly she paused. What was that?
A figure was darting in among the laurels
and frs which border the lawn before the
side-front. One Of the servants, perhaps,
or a poacher, or a burglar. The figure
came. out again, and stood boldly in the
moons rays on the lawn, a slim, stalwart
figure enough. The man took off his hat,
and the ~moonbeams fell on his fair hair.
"a charming night, Miss Wycherly."
arthur Calthorpe !"
Who would have thought Of his pirou-
citing among the shrubs round the east
front of Wycherly Hall at that hour Of
the night? Eleven o'clock, certainly.
What do you want?' said Ella brusk-
.ly. You almost frightened me-
II delight in singing, Miss Wycherly,
and your voice enchanted me-"
But you never heard me sing. How
did YOU know that l should come on the
balcony tonight, and sing that foolish,
fippant song? That won't do, Mr.. CAL
thorpe"
Pardon me" the young man answered,
with a flourish of his hand but l have
been guilty of hiding among those bushes
for many, many nights, on the chance Of
seeing your figure pass the window
SIS it to be Romeo and Juliet?" asked
Miss Wycherly mockingly. Because, il
it is, let me run in and get a glove and
lean my cheek on my hand so, and then
you may begin ten thousand fine speeches,
and I can sigh and shipper. What a pity
there is no one to see us l feel quite
dramatic, Mr.. Calthorpe."
"Ah /! beautiful Ella, winter is not cold
er than your heart, and, alas! it's skies
are not more gloomy than your life, if all
account be true. Here" and the young
man struck his chest, SIS a faithful breast,
where you might pillow that charming
head, with its coils of black hair, its di-
vine, rosy lips, its cheeks like the peach,
its eyes of liquid brown, so sparkling and
SO clear. My ball at Beryl Court"
eco, go, 60; l hear the door. Mamma
ia in the room :"
The gentleman scampered off, took ref
uge among the l~aurels, and was surprised
to see the figure of a man dart way
amid the thick bushes of the miniature
wood in the greatest hurry and distress.
what a little flirt !" cried Romeo.
"Here is another Romeo; but I'll catch
the fellow and knock him down. / feel
in a fighting mood tonight. That little,
saucy jade!" And though the other dou-
bed and turned, the pursuing Romeo was
upon his heels and suddenly grasped hin
savagely by the shoulder.
The other threw off his grasp. This
moons rays fell full upon his face, and
both young men broke into laughter, none
the less impossible to restrain on account
Of the element Of bitterness that mingled
in it.
"You are a cunning gentleman" said
Romeo.
and what Of you, then?" asked the
other meaningly.
MY good fellow, you and / must shake
hands," said Romeo gaily.
Ito be ~continued.)