The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1916-10-26

eHdl ASK ncT the nlgnt OF TN
spring Dance" Mr.. Ferris decided
mo girl in her senses would consid
er that fat old widower when sh
might have mel"
'"That skinny old bachelor hasn'
the ghost of a show!" Mr.. Davis as
sured Frank. "1'll ask her the night
of the spring dance"
The eventful night came-a re-
splendent night. The elite of the
town streamed into toe clubhouse.
Lights shone from every window.
Merry waltz music set young feet
tapping, The sound of JOYOUS
voices was everywhere.
And Serena Fairlie, graceful, gra-
eious, good to look upon, her brown
gold hair shining in the light. her
eyes cleaning like topazes, her
shimmering gown of black just
flecked with glowing orange, was in
herself an enhancing apparition.
Mr.. Ferris secured the first dance.
Mr.. Davis, putting up belated, eager
ly appropriated the second. The
rest were already blurred out by
cabalistic initials.
81 call this unkind discrimina-
ton" painted Mr.. Davis. But Sc
rena Fairlie only laughed. Mr..
Ferris whisked her away, and there
was q sardonic gleam in his eyes
as they rested on the lugubrious
countenance of Mr.. Davis.
The dance done, Mr.. Ferris
promptly led his partner to the con-
servatory.
Dear Miss Serena" began Mr..
Ferris fervently, Il have long ad-
mired that noble sentiment, Once
to every man and nation comes the
moment to decided
isn't it warm ?" asked Mise Sc
rena, moving toward the window.
"And," continued Ferris, follow
ing, M've always admired that ex-
quisite sentiment, Two souls with
but single thought -
Serena gave him smile of ex-
quisite leniency and looked out at
the spangled sky. All, sweet we're
comprehension and sympathy! His
lyric instinct scared once more.
Pm leading up to an avowa],
dear Miss Serena. prefer to let
the great poets speak for me. 1t
is Owen Meredith who sings:
But will marry my own first love,
With her blush rose face for old things
are best
"If you only knew" murmured
Serena, with sweetest reproach,
how much l object to being re-
'erred to as-an old thing"
There was a fusillade of panic
stricken apologies.
miss Serena, our dance, I be-
ieve." And Mr.. Davis triumphant
y led Miss Fairlie out upon the pol
shed floor. AS the dance ended he
spoke with a directness that almost
startled Serena.
maybe Frank told you I was 60
ng to ask you to marry me. Well,
was-I dol am. l can't sling
poetry like Ferris, but if you'll say
he word"-
Miss Fairlie smiled sweetly. '1'm
lattered," she said, "but | can't, you
zee, for I'm going to marry Frank"
That young man came hurrying up.
lis eager eyes were bent on Serena.
lis audacious arm encircled her
yaist. He spoke with ardor.
"Our waltz, dearest" he said.
As Davis started blankly after
hem,a hand gently touched his arm.
"Come home," counseled Ferris.
Frank has told me just now that he
'as engaged to the girl before the
'airlies came here to live. I've some
ne madeira in my cellar-can't be
eat"
Davis met the extended hand
nd gripped it hard.
Good boyl You smoke the same
MIXTURE, l dare say. Got lot from
own this morning. o Lord, what a
air of old fools we've beenw
They glanced back as they de-
cended the steps, The illuminat-
d hall was kaleidoscope of whirl-
lg figures.
Ferris spoke, his voice not little
istful. ...
"The dear young fools" he said.
"God bless themw said Davis.