The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1916-10-13

cured Frank. "l1l ask her the night
of the spring dance!"
The eventful night came-a re-
splendent night. The elite Of the
town streamed into the 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-
cious, 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.
MI. Ferris secured the first dance.
MI. Davis, putting up belated, eager
ly appropriated the second. The
rest were already blurred out by
cabalistic initials.
81 call this unkind discrimina-
toni" painted Mr.. Davis. But Sc
rena Fairlie only laughed. Mr..
Ferris whisked her away, and there
was a sardonic CLEAN in his eyes
as they rested on the lugubrious
countenance of MI. Davis.
The dance done, Mr.. Ferris
PROMPTLY led his partner to the con-
~servatory.
"Dear Miss Serena" began Mr..
Ferris, fervently, 81 have long adj
mired that noble sentiment, Once
to every man and nation comes the
moment to decide'"-
"Isn't it warm?" asked Miss Sc.
rena, moving toward the window.
"And," continued Ferris, follow
ing, Owe always admired that ex.
quisite sentiment, Two souls with
but a single thought -
Serena gave him a smile of ex.
quisite leniency and looked out al
the spangled sky. All, sweet were
comprehension and sympathyl His
lyric instinct scared once more.
"I'm leading up to an avowal
dear Miss Serena. l prefer to let
the great poets speak for me. II
is Owen Meredith who sings:
"But I will marry my own first love.
With her blush rose face. for old thing.
ara hast"
eff you only knew" murmured
Serena, with sweetest reproach
Show much 1 object to being re-
ferred to as-an old thing!"
There was a fusillade of panic
stricken apologies.
"Miss Serena, our dance, I be-
lieve." And Mr.. Davis triumphant
ly'led Miss Fairlie out upon the pol
ished floor. As the dance ended he
spoke with a directness that almost
startled Serena.
"Maybe Frank told you l was 60
ing to ask you to marry me. Well
I was-I dol am. / can't sling
poetry like Ferris, but if you'll say
the word"-
Miss Fairlie smiled sweetly. "T'n
iaattered," she said, 'fbut 1 can't, you
see, for I'm going to marry Frank
That young man came hurrying up
His eager eyes were bent on Serena
His audacious arm encircled hel
waist. He spoke with ardor.
"Our waltz, Dearest" he said.
As Davis started blankly after
them a hand gently touched his arm
"Come home," counseled Ferris
Crank has told me just now that he
was engaged to the girl before the
Fairies came here to live. I've some
fine madeira in my cellar-can't be
beat"
Davis met the extended hand
and gripped it hard.
"Good boy! You smoke the same
mixture, 1 dare say. Got a lot from
town this morning. O Lord, what 8
pair of old fools we've been!"
They glanced back as they de-
scended The steps. The illuminat'
ed hall was a kaleidoscope of whirl'
ing figures.
Ferris spoke, his voice not a little
wistful.
.The dear young fools!" he said
"God bless them!" said Davis.
Japanese euddhists.