Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1909-07-30
CHAPTER l.

CHAPTER l.
Xminster IL all alive, simmering, bub-
bling vve. with excitement; the magnates
are adjusting ribbons, fitting wreaths,
ecenting pocket handkerchiefs, stretching
gloves, tying white neck cloths, and oth-
erwise preparing for the mcmentous even
m9. The Inferior clay Of Xminster hover
about the gateway Of The George hotel,
b all that exhilaration Of spirits that
Rratuitoua sightseeing Is wont to produce
among the multitude. It Is but momen-
taxy glimpse Of some hundred or 50 OF
ladies and gentlemen In evening attire
that IL destined to be the reward OF their
patience; but then, you see, Xminster 10
8 town In which the stream Of life runs
. sluggishly. Circuses, c0nturers, lee
turers, monologue entertainers, etc, are
rather shy Of minister; the little town
b 90 thoroughly habituated to retiring to
rest at an early hour, that even the visits
ct 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
the fair and the dispensary ball. 1t Is
the latter carnival which Is at present
causing the pulse Of Xminster 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
"a the queer old room with Its still queer
e. attempts ct decoration In those gaudy
fastoons Of artificial flowers. But q state
u young lady, dressed in white, witt
green-and-gold trimmings, seems to beal
away the palm. More than one murmur
Cd tribute to her beauty escapes the lipI
Of the lookers-on as she whirls by.
''Who is ahe7 She moves like queer
amongst the rest, and they are cookbook
ing girls, too, some Of them" And thu
speaker, q rather coarse-looking dArl
man, . little the wrong side OF thirty
turned for information to the knot O
men he was lounging with at the door.
Haven't you ever seen her before
Psarman2 No, suppose You hardl!
could have done. She goes out but littl
that's Maude Denlscn."
''What Laughter Of old Dsnison o
0linn2"
"Just so-former owner Of all those IA
acrea which have since fallen into you
respected progenitor's possession :" and
slight infection Of voice just italicized tn
opithet for Gus Brisden was of q goo
cid county family, and had little rever
encs for the Pearmans Of Mannersley.
Yes very handsome was Mande DEM
son. She was beauty Of the regal OF
der, and her stately carriage alone woul
have sufaced to make men ask, "Who
shef'' even without the rich brow
tresses, proud grey eyes, and regular fsa
lures.
II must know her r. said Pearmar
~Can you Introduce me, Brisdenr
mo; l barely know her myself" re
Piled Gus.
II must go and find somebody VIII
can" and Pearman hurried away.
Apparently he was successful fol
shortly afterwards he led out Miss Dem
son for q Quadrille, during which MI
Pearman did his uttermost to make hin
self agreeable He was a very earth
piece Of clay, but he had enjoyed th
ADVANTAGE Of q good education, and wa
hy no means deficient In ability. He ha
achieved q certain amount Of tact Will
undergoing the friction Of such society a
be had encountered, and proved himsel
an apt pupil in worldly knowledge. Thi
stood him in good stead just now. Whe
he led Maude Denison back to her char
arone she certainly thought he was b
no means the least agreeable partner sh
had had that evening. She had but jur
resumed her seat when tall, fair ma
was By her side. His brow was slight
knit, and his eyes sparkled angrily as b
exclaimed, my dear Maude, how coul
ron dance with that mann"
(which, Grenville2" inquired Mi
Denison, smiling. II have danced wit
good many tonight, including YOU
sweet self. cousin NINE"
Don't be absurd. Maude; you kno
very we'll whom mean-that dark man
your last partner"
"And wherefore should not dan,
with himT' inquired Miss Denison.
'.For a hundred reasons. His nan
alone should have sufficed to prevent It
.Dear me- laughed the young lad
merrily. "You have piqued my woman
curiosity. Do tell me who this monstl
Of iniquity Is, for, truth to say, I d
not catch bis name when he was intr
dnced to me"
~Ysa didn't know who be was3