Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1918-08-02

down the carriage STEPS, Eleanor lc''G
ed about longing, yet afraid to meet
the guizzleal eyes Of John diversified,
and her heart sank when she did not
see him. The pleasure she anticipated
turned to a dull ache and she twisted
her lace kerchlef between her fingers
as she leaned further forward hoping
to gain a glimpse Of him.
Then pride came to her aid. He had
| promised to be the first to meet her,
and she must not let this crowd Of
cousins sense her disappointment.
with a light laugh that well covered
the ache at her heart, she accepted the
extended hand of Allan Bowie and de-
scended from the high carriage.
This was two days before the ball.
'Tsn't it too bad" Ruth Worthington
whispered to her that night, as they
went up the stairs together, "Cousin
John sent John, Jr, to Baltimore upon
affairs Of Importance. I think 1t a
shame. He might have waited until
after the ball. Although John told me
nothing but death would keep him
away, there is always the chance Of
something happening. But even If he
does get back in time for the dance,
he will miss the good time we are hav-
ing, and Cousin John was certainly
mean to choose this opportunity for
pressing business"
Eleanor's heavy heart lightened af-
ter hearing this and she took her full
share of the gayety that filled every
minute Of the day and evening. AL
though no coquette, as were some OF
the other pretty cousins, time did not
lie heavily upon her hands, Allan Bowie
saw to that, and Alec Worthington.
Both young men were bewitched, and
between them she was kept fully Occu-
pied. The night Of the dance, as she
descended the stairs, ,brave In her
Dolly Warden gown, no maid among
them all was lOveller, and the two
gallants, beruffied, powdered and dress
ed in the height Of fashionable attire,
all but came to blows in their effort to
win her favor.
But mistress Eleanor minded not
that. She accepted their admiration
shyly, which was most becoming, but
underneath her pleasure was the hope
John Diversified would also find her
good to look upon. Yet, when they
left the house, early on account of the
roads, he had not come, and there was
a tiny misgiving lest he might not be
in time to see her in the wonderful
gown or to claim the minuet he had
begged for.
Ruth pinched her as she was about
to step into the carriage, whispering,
as she handed her small package:
II wonder If you can guess what this
is? John Eversfield's Tom brought it.
I'm dying Of curiosity. Slip back into
the house and open 1t before grand
mother comes. There's time" and
giving the girl push, Ruth stepped
into her place and gave back tit for
tat, as the two young men called for
an explanation Of Eleanor's sudden dis
appearance.
And in her room the girl was looking
with fiuctuating color upon a pearl-en-
circled miniature while she opened
with fingers that trembled the note
twisted about the slender golden chain.
There was only line, but 1t made of
life a beautiful thing,'for 1t asked for
that which she was glad to give.
Over and over she read the single
line: "Dear, will you wear this for my
sake?-John." Then she slipped 1t
into the bosom of her dress. With hes
itating fingers she clasped the chain
about her neck, but overcome by mod
esty at so Haunting her lovers minia-
ture for curious eyes to look upon, she
hid it among the ruffles Of her gown
and hastily ran down the stairs, a radi-
ant thing that took away ones breath.
Measure after measure was danced
before John Diversified appeared that
night, and when he came, one arm was
in a sling. "An accident" he told them
lightly, as he made his way to Flea
n6r's side, where he stood so as to cut
her off from the view of others.
atom did not reach 'Croome' in
timer" he asked, leaning toward her.
"Yes," she answered breathlessly. II
wear it here"
"But not before them all?"
The color came and went upon her
face. Il could not with you not pres
ent. had no courage"
"And now?"
She drew the miniature from among
her laces, letting 1t fall upon her
breast. ut is different now. With
you have no fear of what is said"
"Then come" He extended his hand
as the slow music Of the minuet filled
the room, and together they took their
places, in the sight Of all, a man and
a maid promised to each other.