The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1909-07-30
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
Xminster Is all alive, simmering, bub
bling I'VE. with excitement; the magnatet
are adjusting ribbons, fitting wreaths
0centing pocket handkerchief, stretching
gloves, tying white neck cloths, and 9th
srwise preparing for the momentous even.
about the gateway of The George hotel
IN all that exhilaration Of spirits thai
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 attire
that is destined to be the reward of their
patience; but then, you see, Xminster is
. town in which the stream Of life runs
% sluggishly. Circuses, conjurers, lee
turers, monologue entertainers, etc, are
rather shy of Xminster; the little town
= 90 thoroughly habituated to retiring to
rest at an early hour, that even the visits
ct some Of these talented and adventure
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-
tion 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-
nc with an 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
~ attempts At decoration in those gaudy
fsstoons Of artificial flowers. But q state
y young lady, dressed In white, with
green-and-gold trimmings, seems to bear
away the palm. More than one murmur-
ID tribute to her beauty escapes the lips
OF the lo0kers-on as she whirls by.
who is she? She moves like queen
amongst the rest, and they are good-look-
ing girls, to-, some Of them" And the
speaker, 4 rather coarse-looking dark
man. = little the wrong side Of thirty,
turned for information to the knot of
nan 10 was lounging with at the door.
Haven't yen ever seen her before,
Pearman3 No, I suppose you hardly
esuld have done. She goes out but little
that's Maude Denison."
What !-dauEhter Of old Dsnison of
Qlinn7"
"Just so-former owner Of all those fit
acres which have since fallen into your
respected prsgenitor's possession :" and
slight infection of voice just italicized the
spithet; for Gus Brisden was Of q good
old county family, and had little rever-
sncs for the Pearmans Of Mannersley.
Yes, very handsome was Maude Deni- |
son. She was beauty Of the regal or
der, and her stately carriage alone would |
have suficed to make men ask, "Who is
she1' even without the rich brown
tresses, proud grey eyes, and regular fea-
lures.
II must know her r. said Pearman.
"Can you introduce me, Brisden?"
mo; l barely know her myself" re-
piled Gus.
Il must 90 and find somebody who
can" and Pearman hurried away.
Apparently he was successful, for. |
shortly afterwards he led out Miss Deni- |
son for a quadrille, during which Mr..
Pearman did his uttermost to make him |
self agreeable. He was a very earthy
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 friction Of such society as
hs had encountered, and proved himself
IN apt pupil in worldly knowledge. This
stood him in good stead lust now. When
be led Maude Denison back to her chan
srone she certainly thought he was by
no means the least agreeable partner she
had had that evening. She had but lust
her seat when a tall, fair man
was by her side. His brow was slightly
init, and his eyes sparkled angrily ss he
my dear Maude, how could
you dance with that MANI"
(which, Grenville?" inquired Miss
Denison, smiling. Il have danced with
good many tonight, including your
'west self, cousin mine"
Don't be absurd, Maude; you know
'ery well whom l mean-that dark man
'our last partner"
"And wherefore should 1 not dance
nth him% inquired Miss Denison.
For hundred reasons. His name
Hone should have sufficed to prevent IT,"
Dear me-" laughed the young lady.
nsrrily. "You have piqued my woman's
uriosity. Do tell me who this monster
Il iniquity is, for, truth to say, I did
lot catch his name when he was intro
uced to me-"