The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-01-14
CHAPTER /.


bling owe, with excitement; the magnates
are adjusting ribbons, fitting wreaths,
scenting pocket handkerchiefs, stretching
gloves, tying white neck cloths, and 9th
erwise preparing for the momentous even
ing. The inferior clay of minister hover
about the gateway of The George notei'
in all that exhilaration of spirits that
gratuitous sightseeing is wont to produce
among the multitude. 1t is but momen-
tary glimpse of some hundred or so OF
ladies and gentlemen in evening attire
that is destined to be the reward OF shelr
patience; but then, you see, Munster Is
a town in which the stream OF life runs
SO sluggishly. Circuses. conjurers, lee
turers, monologue entertainers, etc., are
rather shy of minister; the little town
is So thoroughly habituated to retiring to
rest at IN early hour, that even the visits
of some of these talented and adventur-
Gus beings have failed to tempt the in
habitants to forego their beds or to ex-
pend their silver.
But the dullest village in England rec
ognizes some occasions in the year on
which dreary mirth takes the place of
melancholy stagnation. They were two |;
the fair and the dispensary ball. 1t is
the latter carnival which is at present
causing the pulse Of minister TO beat
with feverish rapidity, and the popula-
ton are already waiting to display their
critical acumen on the bellies of town and
country.
The dear old country fiddles are playing
their somewhat superannuated dance mu-
sic with all the wonted animation and dis
regard of the niceties of tune which is SO
much the characteristic of provincial
bands. There is no lack of pretty girls,
tastefully dressed, in valse and quadrille.
in the queer old room with its still queer
er attempts at decoration in those gaudy
festoons of artificial flowers. But state
ly young lady, dressed in white, with
greenland gold trimmings, seems to bear
away the palm. More than one murmur-
ed tribute to her beauty escapes the lips
of the lookers-on as she whirls by.
who is she? She moves like a queen
amongst the rest, and they are cookbook
ing girls, too, some of them" And the
speaker, a rather coarse-looking dark
man, a little the wrong side of thirty,
turned for information to the knot of
men he was lounging with at the door.
Haven't you ever seen her before,
Pearman? No, suppose you hardly
could have done. She goes out but little
that's Maude Denison."
what daughter of old Denison of
Glinn:"
Just so-former owner of all those fat
acres which have since fallen into your
respected progenitor's possession - and a
slight infection of voice just italicized the
epithet: for Gus Brisden was of a good
old county family, and had little rever-
ence for the Pearmans of Mannersley.
Yes, very handsome was Maude Den-
son. She was beauty of the regal or
der. and her stately carriage alone would
have s1ficed to make men ask, WHO is
she?' even without the rich brown
tresses, proud grey eyes, and regular fea-
lures.
II must know her, said Pearman.
"Can you introduce me, Brisden?'
mo: / barely know her myself" re-
piled Gus.
II must go and find somebody who
can" and Pearman hurried away.
Apparently he was successful. for.
shortly afterwards he led out Miss Deni-
son for quadrille, during which Mr..
Pearman did his uttermost to make him
self agreeable. he was very earthly
piece of clay, but he had enjoyed the
advantage of a good education, and was
by no means deficient in ability. He had
achieved a certain amount of tact while
undergoing The frict on of such society as
he had encountered, and proved himself
an apt pupil in worldly knowledge. This
stood him in good stead lust now. When
he led Maude Denison bacl. to her chap
erone she certainly thought he was bv
no means the least agreeable partner she
had had that evening. She .lad jtlt lust
resumed her seat when a tall fair man
was by her side. His brow was slightly
knit, AMI his eyes sparkled angrily as he
exclaimed. My dear Maude, how coulI
you dance with that man?'
Which, Grenville% inquired Miss
Denison smiling. Il have danced with
q good many tonight, including your
sweet self, cousin mine'
Don't be absurd, Maude; you know
very well whom / mean-that dark man
your last partner"
''And wherefore should 1 not dance
with him?' inquired Miss Denison.
For a hundred reasons. His name
clone should have sufficed to prevent it."
Dear me-" laughed the young lady.
merrily- "You have piqued my woman's
curiosity Do tell who this. monster
of iniquity is, for, truth to say, | did
not catch his when lie was intro
duced to me-"
you didn't know who he was? |
thought not That's young Pearman-
the unmitigated cad"
$50 that was Mr.. Pearman. was it?"
remarked Maude. musingly. well, Gren-
vile, / don't think / should have danced
with him had | known who he was ::
but, you see, / didn't, and / cannot see
that it is of much consequence now. One
Is not obliged to recognize the partner of
quadrille again unless one likes. you
know; and though I'll plead guilty to
finding him amusing. don't think wish
to prosecute the acquaintance. But don't
you think it is getting time to leave?
Mrs. Learmont. you are as good as gold"
said Maude, turning to her chaperone
waiting in this resigned manner for me-
However. / am quite at your disposal
now
Pray don't think of me; /. .sant you
20 thoroughly enjoy your ball, and ! am
quite willing to look on at your valsing
for another hour. l have lots. of people
to come and talk to me, you know"
"Yesv laughed Maude: Il am quite
aware that you have lots of old friends.
only too glad to have the chance of
quiet chat with you, and know also that
you would sit here and pinch yourself to
keep awake sooner than debar your god
daughter of five minutes qualification
but | also have conscience Go and see
about the carriage, Grervi' e.
1t is very curious IL watch what trifiing
affairs influence the tenor of our lives.
Maude Denison has deemed it of little
consequence that she has danced a quad