Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1909-04-29
CHAPTER /.

minister is all alive. simmering, bub-
bling I'VE. with excitement: the magnates
are adjusting ribbons, fitting wreaths,
.seeuting pocket handkerchiefs, stretching
gloves. tying white neck cloths, and 9th
erwise preparing for the momentous even
ing. The inferior clay of Xminster hover
shout the gateway of The George hotel,
In all that exhilaration OF spirits that
gratuitous sightseeing is wont to produce
among the multitude. 1t is but a momen-
tary glimpse of some hundred or so of
ladies and gentlemen in evening httire
that is destined TO be the reward of their
patience: but then. you see, Aminster is
q town in which the stream OF life runs
80 sluggishly. Circuses, conjurers, lee
turers. monologue entertainers, etc, are
rather shy of Xminster; the little town
Is so thoroughly habitnated to retiring TO
rest at an 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 Xminster to beat
with feverish rapidity. and the popula-
ton are already waiting to display their
critical acumen on tie 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 a state
ly young lady, dressed in white, with
green-and-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 good-look-
Ing girls, too, some of them" And the
speaker, rather coarse-looking dark
man, 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
siignt infection of voice Just italicized the
epltnet; for Gus Brisden was of a good
o'o county family, and had little rever-
ence Tor the Pearmans of Mannersley.
is, very handsome was Maude Deni-
s'n. she was beauty of the regal or
Sel' ana her stately carriage alone would
nave suffced to make men ask. "Who is
even without the rich brown
sssses' proud grey eyes, and regular fea-
40 must know her ~ said Pearman.
ean you introduce me, Brisden?v
no; l barely know her myself" re-
must go and find somebody who
'an' and Pearman hurried away.
apparently ne was successful. for.
a4oy afterwards he led out Miss Deni-
on lor quadrille, during which Mr..
srnian did his uttermost to make him
agreeable. He was very earthy
- Oi Gay but he had enjoyed the
tage OF a good education, and was
-. y 10 means deficient in ability. He had
eclieVed certain amount of tart while
l. ~ sUing the friction of such society as
IN u encountered, sand proved himself
go y pupil IN worldly knowledge. This
h =, nm ID good stead Just now. When
siande Denison back TO her chap
she certainly thought he was by
- ns1'ns the least agreeable partner she
Hau tnat evening. She had but iust
~.s ner seat when a tall, fair man
hi, nef side. His brow was slightly
e,.S,: ena his eyes sparkled angrily as he
sor a.ued au My dear Maude, how could
.sv,s. vance with that man?"
"nien, Grenyille?n inou;rod Rt;ss
a 80 smiling. Il have danced with
suss, IN many tonight, including your
sen, cousin mine,
v.-r be absurd, Maude: Won know
yon, en whom mean-that dark man
with H.. ~, .erelore should / not dance
-Fo- inquired Miss Denison.
sIona i hundred reasons. His name
aDssl a0lid have suficed to prevent it."
nsrrils me .s laughed the young lady,
curios;,. lou have piqued my woman's
Of Inias: 10 tell me who this monster
not cssoh rs for, truth to say, did
duced = ms name when he was intro
aont know who he was? III