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C iNTIXVED.
■rne mu. i.-.„... ...re airrr. 'y establish
ed in a cu-uer n.'nr the open’doors lead
ing into two si.ialler apartments alsb
lighted and made ready lor dancing,
into each of which the fiddler by cran
ing his neck ever so little from where
he sat upon the floor might ccmmand
tiie fullest view. Ho was net nn impos
ing personage, this gcntl'mr.ii, being
afflicted with an extreme case of stra
bismus, while he was withal left hand
ed, holding his fiddle revir.-vd, the end
res. ing upon the fleer. It was for his
ct . . enience in this particular presum
ably that he preferred to : in his
lev. .y, tailorlike attitude;, where it
w0...d seem in the narrow limits if the
room that there might be dangi r of his
coming to grief from luckless heels up
on occasion, but with ali his unassum
ing position it was no less clear that he
was sustained by a very large sense of
his present importance, as with doleful
squeaks he tuned the instrument, while
his wife, complacently seated at the
parlor organ, respt t.ded to his repeated
demand to give him “A.”
Mrs. Dennison, a rosy little woman
in a white gown, something of a misfit
from the shrinkage of many washings,
came in to welcome them presently,
volubly regretting that Mrs. Ellery had
not come.
“It was so unfortunate, ” Edith de
clared, with polite mendacity, “but it
was the children. She could not leave
them, you know. ”
* ‘But she might have brought them
surely,’’ cried the hostess in all sincer
ity, glancing toward the improvised
j.nrsery in the corner.
“But I am glad that my sister is go
ing to have a glimpse of society on the
range, ’ ’ put in Hugh hastily.
“Yes, I'm glad she come,” returned
their hostess simply. “We’re so short of
ladies. Every one counts. ”
“But we’re not going to dance, I’m
afraid, ’’ Hugh returned, amusedly glanc
ing at his sister, whose face had flushed
with a shade of dismay at this speech.
“Mrs. Ellery insisted that we should
oome home early. If we should once be
gin dancing, it would be all the harder
to tear ourselves away, you know. ’ ’
“Not going to dance?’’ cried Mrs.
Dennisoib_with such a very blank ex
pression that Edith nervously question
ed if their coming at all had not been a
mistake. “Why, you’ll dance while
you’re here surely. Why not?”
“I shall dance if my number is call
ed and you will dance with me, ’ ’ cried
Hugh gallantly. “And if I tip the fid
dler a wink—has he a soul above brib
ery, do you think? As to my sister,
though—oh, she doesn’t know much
about dancing, Mrs. Dennison. Her ed
ucation has been rather neglected in
some directions. ” Nobody disliked a lie
more than good natured Hugh Ellery,
but he held that there was such a thing
as justifiable prevarication.
“Why, I should think you’d want to
learn, ’ ’ cried the little woman, turning
to the girl in innocent surprise.
“I have thought of it, ” murmured
Edith uncomfortably, darting a glance
of mingled amusement and reproach at
her brother, but just then happily the
numbers for the first dance were called,
and a partner came to lead Mrs. Denni
son away. “How could you?” the girl
muttered in smiling rebuke.
“I couldn’t but for you, you ungrate
ful young woman! Where would you ba
now but for me, I’d like to know? Stub
bing your little toes over this rough
floor at the risk of your life. I hope
you’ll not lose sight of the debt of
gratitude you owe me. ’ ’ And he settled
back comfortably to view the company
now ranged in order for a quadrille.
Edith looked on, dreamily amused,
the whole performance seeming as un
real as a scene in a play. It required
some self restraint to refrain from smil
ing at the simple coquetries of the rud
dy cheeked maidens, at the queer steps
and occasionally at the reckless gyrations
of their jolly, flannel shirted partners,
most of whom moved as though embar
rassed by imaginary spurs upon their
heels, while not a few were almost bow
legged from overmuch hard riding.
Now and then a cry would issue
from the calico curtained creche in the
corner, at which sound two or three; anx
ious mothers would rush in a body to
the spot, unceremoniously deserting
partners, to the great confusion of the
quadrilles, but these episodes seemed to
be accepted quite as a matter of
course, scarce calling for even a smile
byway of comment. Most of all Edith
found herself diverted by the humor de
veloped in the cross eyed master of cer
emonies, who, while scraping out a
highly original rendering of “Sweet
Violets” and “Old Dan Tucker,” was
fully alive to his duties of prompter,
which he appeared to think great fun.
“All chaw hay,” he would blithely cry
when a chassez was in order, while his
version of “all hands round” was to
admonish all vehemently to “Keep
a-hookin an a-hookin an a-hookin,” the
variation evidently suggested by the lo
cal custom of locking elbows instead of
touching hands as the dancers passed
each other by, a method possessing
quite distinct advantages in a gloveless
company.
But, although wholly unconventional
in many ways, there was nothing to be
severely criticised in the manners of
this simple company. They took their
Dleasnre rather more iovonalv than
Edith had been accustomed to see in
her own weary and well bred circle; the
laughter was more frequent, more
hearty, but the roughest cowboy among
them, even if in the exuberance of his
joy he might indulge in an occasional
pigeon wing uncalled for by the prompt
er, yet accorded his partner a courtesy
beyond remark, while no lady in all
the land could have frolicked more dis
creetly than did those unpretending
women in their ill fitting, homemade
frocks.
Hugh made some good natured at
tempts to introduce his sister to some
of the other women present, but as the
fiddle and the parlor organ seemed un-
__
“Keep a-hookin an a-hookin."
tiringly devoted to keeping all the com
pany in constant motion, and as the
men outnumbered the available partners
as three to one, there was never a wall
flower but Edith herself and little
chance for sociability outside the dances.
The majority of the men were disposed
in groups outside, joking and laughing
as they looked in at doors and windows
waiting their turns. The women, flush
ed and panting, were pressed into con
tinuous service, while their number
was laughingly eked out by a couple
of cowboys, who, with handkerchiefs
around their arms as a badge of their
assumed office, smirked and bridled and
minced through their parts, to the end
less delight of all the rest. But Edith'
began to feel uncomfortable after a lit
tle, comprehending the meaning of the
anxious glances which were cast upon
her as she sat alone. If these people but
dared, she felt, they would come in a
body and entreat her to dance, simply
to help them out, and when at last Ar
talissa, a festoon of loosened gathers
slipping from her belt, had run away
for repairs, closely followed by a young
mother with a babe in her arms, the
situation really became so serious that
Mr. Dennison was moved to come and
ask, with a deprecatory smile, if Miss
Ellery wouldn’t try it once. Even if she
didn’t know how right well she need
not mind, the kindly gentleman assured
her in all good faith; nobodv was going
to criticise, and she would learn it all
fast enough when she once got on the
floor. Edith blushed in painful embar
rassment in disposing of this request,
loath to hurt the feelings of this simple
folk. With true brotherly method Hugh
had unceremoniously left her to her
own devices while he was blithely talk
ing cattle among a coterie outside.
Through an opposite window she could
see Paul Brown standing alone.
All the evening she had been aware
of his eyes upon her from some quarter,
and now she swiftly wondered how
much pleasure it would give him if he
might dance with her here tonight, un
consciously sighing as she reflected how
impossible it was. It occurred to her
that she would send him to find her
brother to propose their going home,
but she hesitated to call him to her
across the crowded room, and while she
halted she caught Mr. Dennison’s eye
upon her as though meditating a new
attack, and the idea spurred her to des
perate action. From where she sat she
could look into the kitchen, revealing
another open door at the far end leading
out into the night. On the impulse of
the moment she flashed a meaning
glance full into Paul Brown’s watching
eyes, a look she felt he could not fail
to understand, and like a shot darted
into the safety of the cool, enveloping
darkness.
This side of the house was wholly
deserted, and after going a little way
she. stopped, half frightened by the lone
liness, her heart beating tumultuously.
By that look she had invited Paul
Brown to meet her here. She was fairly
in a panic at her own daring, but she
was prepared to make excuse to him, as
well as to her own perturbed conscience,
that she wanted to ask him to go and
fetch her brother. Yet even while she
framed the pretext in her mind she
knew perfectly well, and had an irri
tated sense of shame in the knowing,
that she had simply grasped at this op
portunity for a word with the man him
self. Ever since their Sunday interview
indeed she had been watching for the
chance to speak with him, for she had
persuaded herself that it was a duty to
urge upon him the course which upon
reflection she was sure he ought to pur
sue.
She wanted him to become reconciled
to his father, who must long ago have
repented his harshness, whose heart
must be ready with welcome for him
no less warm than that given the other
prodigal to whom he had likened him
self. She would have him renounce this
rough life and take the place among
men to which bv birth and breedimz ha
THE ROME TRIBUNE THURSDAY, JANUARY 3. 1894,
was so justly entitled. There was a cer
tain unacknowledged sweetness in the
thought that to her it had been given
perhaps to shape this man’s life as
seemed to her best. She did not own it
to herself that it might bo to test this
power, to give herself the subtle pleas
ure of moving him to her will, that she
was waiting to see him now.
But Paul Brown, far from being a con
ceited yourg fellow, was too much in
awe of Miss Ellery to have dreamed of
actual invitation in her passing glance.
As he saw her go through the kitchen
the daring fancy crossed his mind in
deed that ho might by seeming accident
put himself in the way of a word with
her, not too soon, however, lest she per
ceive the design and be vexed at his
presumption. He sauntered undecided
ly along, planning a little detour which
would bring him by the kitchen door
after awhile, but scarce had he advanc
ed a dozen steps when he met Artalissa,
hurrying back from the improvised
dressing room at the milkhouse.
“Come to get a breath of fresh air,
too?’ ’ she called out gayly, pleased with
the fancy that he had come on purpose
to meet her. “Ain’t it hot in there? I’m
about melted. If it was leap year I be
lieve I’d invite you to go for a walk
and get cooled off. ”
“But siuce it isn’t perhaps I would
better invite you,” ho returned, with
what grace he might, seeing no other
way out of it. He could ill afford to
offend Artalissa, who had it in her
power to mete him out swift retribution
through his appetite. Moreover, he had
a flattered consciousness that he had
been advancing rapidly in the girl’s
capricious favor, and manlike the idea
inspired him with all good humored in
dulgence toward her.
‘ ‘And where have you been corralin
yourself all evenin?” she asked as they
strolled along. “I ain’t seen you danc
in. ”
“You have been so surrounded, natur
ally you could not see me, ” he laughed.
“I have been doing nothing but stand
and admire you from a distance, of
course. What else could Ibe doing?”
Artalissa coquettishly tossed her head,
giggling with delight. “Oh, quit your
foolin! ’S if I didn’t know bettern to
swallow all your nonsense!” she coyly
protested. “More like you’ve been over
to the barn boozin with the boys all
evenin. ’ ’
“Boozing? Ah, Artalissa, how terri
bly suspicious you are! Are all the girls
in Nebraska as sharp and cynical as
you? Because if so I shall never dare
venture beyond the line fence. ” He was
not paying the least heed to what he
said. He was thinking that they had
gone far enough and was wishing that
the girl would take a hint from his
lagging step and propose their return.
“To accuse me of boozing! I don’t
know what evidence I can offer to clear
myself. ’ ’
“We can generally take the evidence
of a man’s breath in such a case, ” the
girl demurely rejoined, her white teeth
glistening as she looked up, tempting
him, daring him. There was something
almost infernal in the glow of her dark
beauty at the moment, the man reflect
ed, nonchalantly studying the bold,
passionate face so clearly revealed by
the light streaming out through an open
window.'
“And will you take mine for a wit
ness?” he laughingly murmured, bend
ing over her until his mustache fairly
grazed her cheek, when, lightly blow
ing in her upturned face, he drew back
his head quickly. “Is that enough?”
He must have been dull indeed if he
had not comprehended the audacious
invitation, if he had not understood the
flash of mortification and anger in her
black eyes now, but reckless of results
he was only amused. There was even
a wicked note of teasing in his careless
laugh as with seeming unconsciousness
he turned back toward the house.
“It’s enough of stumbliu over this
no account trail ’t any rate,” said the
girl, distinctly out of temper. “I guess
I’ll be gettiu back to the house, where
mebbe I’m wanted more’n I am here.”
“Ah, how could that be possible?”
he cried, with mocking fervor, but his
steps gladly quickening while he utter
ed the perfunctory protest.
A few,mou:eiits later,hurrying around
the ‘ house alone, he met Edith Ellery
face to face, but she passed him by with
such unseeing hauteur as froze the words
of greeting upon his lips. She went
straijjjit to where her brother was stand
ing among a group of men by the door.
“Hugh,” she said in a clear tone
which somehow to Paul Brown’s .ears
sounded strange, “I am tired. If you
don’t mind, I think we would better be
t»oins. ” -
?TO BE CONTINUED.
grasses may be crystallized as follows:
Place a saucepan partly filled with wa
ter on the stove, and in it dissolve
enough alum to make it of sufficient
density to bear an egg; let this boil.
Take off the saucepan and lay your
grasses (dried and tied in bunches to suit
the fancy) in the water. When the wa
ter is perfectly cold, lift out the bou
quets, and you will find them a mass of
beautiful crystal.—Kansas City Star.
Mrs. J. H. Lansing, of South Glen’t Falls, Sar
atoga County, N. Y., writes: “ After my third
child was born, I barely gained strength
enough in two year’s time, so as to be able
to crawl about to accomplish the little house
work that 1 had to do, and that only by lying
down to rest many times
each day: had sick head
ache very often, many
pains and aches all the
time. After I bad taken
one bottle of your ‘ Fa
vorite Prescription’ I
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in my strength and less
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ued taking the medicine
until I had taken seven
bottles of the ‘ Favorite’
and one of the ‘ Golden
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now able to do house
work for myself and
I
husband and two child-
Mrs. Lansing. ren aged nine and five.
I also take dressmaking, and enjoy walking a
mile at a time, when I can have the time to
do so. And lam sure it is all due to Dr.
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(ailing fast before I commenced to take it.”
Sola by medicine dealers everywhere.
czisaaESKSXoa
A YOUNG GIRL’S FORTUNE.
AN INTERESTING SKETCH.
Nothing appeals so strongly to a mother’s
affection as her daughter just budding into
womanhood. Following Is an instance: “Our
daughter, Blanche, now 15 years of age, had
been terribly afflicted with nervousness, and
had lost the entire use of her right arm. She
was in such a condition that we had to keep
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sons. In fact, we feared St. Vitus dance, and
are positive but for an invaluable remedy she
would Have had that terrible affliction. We
had employed physicians, but she received no
benefit from them. The first of last August she
weighed but 75 pounds, and although she has
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toms of St. Vitus dance are entirely gone, she
attends school regularly, and studies with com
fort and ease. She has recovered complete use
of her arm, her appetite is splendid, and no
money could procure for our daughter the health
Dr. Miles’ Nervine has brought her
When my brother recommended the remedy
I had no faith in patent medicines, and would
not listen to him, but as a last resort he sent us
a bottle, we began giving it to Blanche, and the
effect was almost immediate.”—Mrs. R. R.
Bullock, Brighton, N. Y.
Dr. Miles’ Restorative Nervine is sold by all
druggists on a positive guarantee, or sent direct
by the Dr. Miles Medical Co., Elkhart, Ind., on
receipt of price, 81 per bottle, six bottles for 85,
express prepaid. It is positively free from
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?k.r-jkuu Jn.*’n2”r -ifnHi‘■ - Ki
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j Autumn / Winter I
51
s 1894 ■ 1895.
I
We wili be giad to |
3 have you visit us 1
| and examine our |
1 various stocks. [3
| The departments |
| of Men’s and Boy’s |
| Suits, Overcoats, |
& Hats and Furnish- i
r?J On
a ingGoods are com
| plete—absolutely |
I perfect.
We offer you the |
| finest products ob- |
| tainable, and prices I
| are invariably as |
| low, or lower, than |
| the average store |
| charges for doubt- I
| ful qualities.
I® i
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L _ J
pipjtqpKq wGinISsJaSSSSSE&SSS®
I 7-13 Oct. New Upright Piano <1
■ ■ ■ fl hifela. Mahogany, Ebony or Walnut finish. Wfl
A Hl Al Al DIAAA V / /I All 4™ YEARS. FREIGHT PAID BY Usl
n IVfU/ I l/inn /I UU f ool > and Scarf sent on TEX DAYS TRIAL.I
I I lIW VV I lUllUl la/Lok ■■ TERMS, for a small advance of) price. THE BESn
KNOWN for so small a price. VERY T dß
PRICE $250.00. ,
_ __ Former price, $65. This Organ may be had vfl
■ I I II IP 111 top for church use or extended ornamental top f«
II F\| J 111 |||nfC||| | # / t£e ‘ I* nas 4 Bets Roe d®> 8 Stops, 2 Knee Sw j
j| I Cl I Ul |CLCI I I Q/ CrL—l I I nut fln ’ Bll and] easy to pedal. Warranted for B
' U i Freight allowed by us, and (jlrgan, Stool, {and iB
For catalogues and particulars address ’/on ten days’trial. ■
PHILLIPS <fc CREW CO., Atlanta, caß
Mammoth Piano and Organ Wareroomsy Established 1865. Agents South
Pianos, Ives & Pond Pianos, Kimball Pianol, and the world known Knabe Piaui Bl
Mention this peps I |
I*l U 0 I'. j thus . ’ isSpei
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IKHKHNIBi Tllfi
AT COST. ; You kfiow what that m|
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Wedding Goods.
Wedding (Jjj
Holiday Goods. I i|
HplidayPresej
J. K. WILLIAMSON
WATCHS, JEWELRY, RINGS,.TINS, CHAI
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AT COST TILL J AN.
Bioad Street, fcorrxe.
H. ID. uftilj, -
REAL ESTATES ALEP
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Renting a Specialty and Prompt Settlement the Ilul
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Office 230 Broad Street. Telephone
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