The diamond drill., 1908-08-01
THE MINUET.

ever hear OF uu}tulns more rlHlCu-
IousY' And Dorothy Palmer tossed
her head disdainiully at the thought OF
what 70 her seemed an unwarrantable
proceeding.
"oh. do tell US all about II. Dolly.
dear. Come. tell us all you know"
"well that Will not take her very
long" ehImed in ene OF the sweet girls.
who did not regard Dorothy In very
favorable light Il mean. OF course.
dear. It win not take you long to tell
the story. for II Is well known you
have q wonderful faculty OF condens-
ing. vast amount OF information in
few most refreshingiy pungent re-
marks"
III you girls viii only be quiet" re
marked Dorothy. II will tell yon the
little ! know. Today ] went to Miss
Villiers' dancing class TO practice the
Maypole trot, and who should walk In
but Hepsey. Miss viliiers had one OF
her wretchcd headaches and was
about TO dismiss the class when what
did that antiquated maiden do but step
forward and volunteer TO put the
young folks through their PAGES.
"well. in justice to our village spin
ster. she knows thing or two about
steps, and villiers became so interested
that she forgot her headache and was
most profuse In her compliments. My
dear Miss Hepsey.' she said, Il thought
myself capable OF teaching these chill
dren. but here are you capable OF
teaching me. VIII you not continue 20
assist me? VIII you not introduce
some old time dancer II will be such
an Innovation
~ have not danced for years an
swered Hepsey. and, would you believe
H. girls, there were tears I'm the poor
old creatures eyes. But she added.
4 will comply with your request Let
me have my choice OF these people and
Will put them through the evolutions
OF a minuet. We will costume I'm old
fashioned clothes suitable for IN old |
fashioned dance. I myself can wear n |
dress In which last danced the min
net. almost forty years ago"
The girls chatted merriiy over the |
affair. and am afraid poor Miss Hep
sey was ridieuled without stint. But |
Hepsey went about her preparations |
for the dance with methodical pre-
cision. The chosen few who were 10 \
be In her set met nightly at her little |
cottage and TO the melody OF Mozarts |
"Don juan" squeaked out OF wheezy
toned piano. went through the move
ments OF the stately number in thor
oughly satisfactory manner.
At last the night OF the dance ar
rived. The town hall was peopled 10
its fullest capacity, for nearly every
family In that and adjacent villages
had representative I'm one or another,
OF the various dances. Many were
there who remembered Miss Hepsey
when she was much younger woman.
The gossips chattered among them
selves and raked their memories, re-
calling events In her early life. Some
OF them limited at the cause OF her
state OF single blessedness, II such II
could be called. and every one was
curious 10 see her dance.
Miss Hepsey was late In appearing,
and her entrance was the cause OF no
little excitement and some admiration.
She wore an old rose silk quilted pet
ticoat. with an elaborately figured silk
overdress. An old lace kerchief was
folded over her breast. and on her feet
were high heeled white slippers some
what yellowed with age. To crown
all. her scant hair was arranged over
a cushion That hair needed no pow
der. II was already as white as newly
fallen snow.
Miss villlers herself came forward
taxgreet Miss Hepsey.
"Oh, my dearr she said whatever
shall we doy Your partner has not
come. ! am afraid you win be very
much annoyed but the best we can do
is to End a substitute for him. A Mr..
Brooks. new arrival in the village.
has proffered his services. DO you
mindT'
II any one had closely observed Hep 1
sey NJ that moment II would have been
noticed that n tinge OF color had crept J
into her usually colorless face
AT such a time as this one cannot {
choose" she said There is no other l
alternative. Mr.. Brooks is very kind. !
have no doubt that will find him a I
most acceptable partner"
moment later she found herself 1
courtesying 20 a stately old gentleman {
who was attired In small clothes, ap- {
propriate 10 the costume OF his partner. =
There was no time for any further ex. I
change OF forrnaIffieo for fuat tha, tho |
orchestra began playing the Mozart
air. and the dance began. Poor Miss
Hepsey was the personihcation of the |
grace OF the old school. The audience {
applauded her every movement. and at q
the conclusion OF the number Il had TO c
be repeated. Those who came 10 scofr
remained 10 adnire, ana Hepsey, for {
ron anna hnaf Ennrn 20 hnrnolf .un. -. | d