And She Lived on the Twilight Side of the Hill

The Ball, the Belle and the Bachelor

Friday night came quickly for both Mina and Gil; both were preoccupied in their thoughts about each other as they dressed. Mina fought off, as best she could, her lingering thoughts of Gil and Gil desiring to just get through the evening so he might finally lay his eyes once again upon the beautiful Mina when she would appear on stage the following night. Who could guess they would be in the same city on the same date in the same ballroom together? It was the furthermost thing from their mind.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Peter Hauck and Miss. Wilhelmina Lovell was the announcement cry of the Chief Steward. All heads turned toward the couple as they made their grand entrance. Mina stood out among all the women present that night. She looked like Greek goddess and was dressed exquisitely. Wearing a Morin - Blossier beaded lilac satin ball gown, (the latest style from Paris France). With her soft honey brown hair worn up with two ribbon tied curls cascading down accentuating her neckline and her deep green eyes dancing in the glow of the crystal chandeliers, she had the eye of every bachelor in the house.

About twenty minutes passed before the Farnsworth's and Gil arrived. Gil having never worn such an elegant suit of clothes was simply dashing from tip to toe. Elena, with a teasing smile, commented, "You're not going to get out of this ball alive tonight, Mr. Miles; every eligible young lady will be swooning over you and you had just as well be ready to dance the night away." ”Peter was in the middle of introductions of Mina to the Governor of the state of Colorado, Alva Adams and his wife, Ella when the Chief Steward announced, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Farnsworth and their guest, Mr. Gilbert Miles. As the Governor and Mrs. Adams were about to receive her, Mina turned completely around with her heart throbbing, she saw Gil standing on the landing; unable to believe her eyes, said within her, 'It's him! It's Gil! He came! What am I going to do?" As if there were no one else in the room, she shut out everything from her attention but Gil. She clasped her hands over her mouth and began to feel faint. Are you alright Mina? Mina dear, are you not feeling well? Mina? Peter spoke trying to get her attention. Receiving no response, he noticed that she was staring at the staircase landing at the head of the ballroom. There he saw the Farnsworth's being greeted by several couples and Michael holding Elena with his left hand, reaching back with his right, taking the shoulder of a handsome young stranger and preparing to introduce him around. He looked again at Mina's face and it became evident to him, her eyes were fixed on the stranger. Peter began to boil inside with jealousy, Mina, your being rude! He whispered angrily in her ear, giving her shoulders a shake. Finally, she collected herself saying, "Oh Peter, please forgive me; would you please take me out for some air; I'm feeling faint. Please pardon me Governor, Mrs. Adams, I am not well." "Oh certainly, of course. Young man, escort the young lady to the garden to get some air; she is undoubtedly faint. Ella and I understand completely. Now Peter, go on and tend to her." Peter, still boiling inside, tried unsuccessfully to cover up his dissatisfaction, anger and jealousy; though he said not a word, his face was flushed red and his brow dropped and wrinkled as he hurriedly walked her to the garden. When they arrived at the fountain and sat down on a seat nearby, Mina caught her breath and addressing him, said, "Peter, I apologize for embarrassing and displeasing you; I can see it on your face ... It’s just that ... "It’s just that you became distracted, or should I say, infatuated by the stranger accompanied by the Farnsworth's, now wasn't it? And you obviously thought that that man (probably a nobody) was more important to you than meeting the Governor of the State of Colorado? Really, Mina! Yes I'm displeased. Who is that stranger anyway?" he interrupted and asked as if he were scolding a child. He's just an acquaintance I met while visiting my Aunt in Sandpoint, Idaho." she answered. Is he a business man a politician? Who is he?" he insistently growled. "He's a cattle rancher, Peter and he, that stranger, that nobody as you snobbishly referred to him, is for your information, a real man, not a snooty party boy, born with a silver spoon in his mouth like you." she countered with all the sarcasm she could muster. Taken back by her boldness, Peter tried to repair the breech he rashly brought on between them but Mina would have nothing to do with it and left him sitting alone. And yet again, Peter Houck was thwarted by the very object of his affection. "She will come crawling to me one day. Wait and see." he diabolically thought in his heart.