Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-04-11
gu @rigiual grize Storg*
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
MILDRED WEIR.
BY MRS. CLARA DARGAN MCLEAN.
CHAPTER. VII.

BY MRS. CLARA DARGAN MCLEAN.
CHAPTER. VII.
s'MId the shmmer of lamps and the Iedowa's dash,
Where the trumpet the trck; ;tons9ed song salutes-
mid the Autter Of gauze and the diamonds nash,
Mid the masquerade OF hutes
But I, In the waverng whir of mirth,
Cast gloom and glamour far and wide"
The next night was unusually cold yet clear
and sparkling with frosty starlight. The i'm
posing front of the Opera House glittered
with thousand lamps, and at an early hour
carriages began to roll in that direction de-
posting the precious freight at the various
entrances, where Drummond-lights had been
placed, to illuminate still more splendidly the
splendid scene. Toilets of fabulous magni6-
cence flashed for moment upon the gaze of
the curious crowd, gathered to see as much as
possible of revel in which the canaille could
take no part, and then disappeared up the
broad marble stairway leading to the ball
room-a temporary floor over the parquette
Harlequins, knights, minstrels, banditti all
masked with more or less originality -aocked
around the doors, and a perfect Babel Of
voices yociferated in various tongues.
"MsUe d;abhs r' muttered hooded monk,
strangely inconsistent, show these bourgeoiste
do gabblep
"GoH in H;mmel !" calculated another-a
splendid specimen of Teutonic strength, with
the mace and owl of Odin-"how is one to
get through this crowd ?"
"Por amor de Dios p' cried a shrill voice,
as shower of confetti fell upon his velvet
tunic-and the merry Italian retorted with
provoking pleasantly as he redoubled his
questionable attention from neighboring
loge-
"Si,si,signor- and then tumbling over the
balustrade like loose.limbed Punchinello,
disappeared in the throng before vengeance
could be meted by the wrathful 1beriau.
1t was growing late, and the ravishing
strains of German waltz was inspiring the
dancers to feats rivaling the ghosts Of Kirk
Alloway. A party of six entered one Of the
stage boxes shortly after, three white domi-
noes descended to the floor, accompanied by
Circassian prince In costume Of barbaric
splendor. They were Immediately besieged
by number of masks.
"Mademoiselle," said voice near, "will you
show me your hand? ?"
The domino turned and beheld beside her
one of the Mystic Crew of Comus.
"Monsieur," was the reply in a feigned
voice, II do not unmask until midnight. Till
then restrain your curiosity"
"Cruelp responded the mask; and added
in whisper-"I should not have known you
but that recognized Jack, and saw the GRIM
son tassel on your cousins domino. Will
you dance?' --
"No, I have but word to say to you.
Mark me:
The mills of the gods grind slowly, and they grind exceeding
Tho with patience He stands waiting with e1ac,ness grnds
It was said in low, distinct voice, yet the
accent was so strange-the warning so ghost
ly-the air so tragic-that Waldemar felt as
though he stood in a churchyard instead of
forming part of this scene Of unsurpassed
brilliancy. He passed his hand across his
brow as if to rouse himself, and essayed to
speak but the white domino had disappeared
among score of similar figures.
eff you do not mind mingling with this
motley crowd, I should like to take one turn
with you before that waltz ends It reminds
me of Straus and Vienna"
Prince Schamyl whispered to his cousin
who leant upon his arm. She bowed her head
and soon they we're whirling away. The heart
of the young man vibrated to the exquisite
strains as he clasped the slender form, and
the fringe of her domino futtered against his
face. He almost dared to put his fate to the
test as they stopped to rest against one of the
window embrasures but his knightly nature
felt this was no place for such sacred confes-
sions. He looked at her as she stood, her
eyes wandering restlessly over the surging
throng, as if in search of one face-one figure.
"Why did he not come? Why had he not
sought herr"
Everything grew cold and dull as she thus
questioned; the lights faded-the laughter
and mirth was all mockery.
Suddenly Jack exclaimed:
ri thought Kate was to wear the crimson
tassel, and here it is attached to the end of
your domino"
He raised it as he spoke; and Mildred saw
At once how the mistake had been made. The
dominoes we're all exactly alike, and in hastily
putting them on, the exchange was not unlike
ly. She pulled off her glove, and unfastened
the little silken badge. Quickly the remem-
brance came to her of the mask she had seen
speaking to Kate, who though taller than
herself, wore on this occasion dress of tuNs,
looped 50 as to display pair of fairy feet en-
cased in marvellous embroidered satin boots.
"That accounts for it ALL" she thought,
aBeing behind and without the tassel he con-
cluded it was awaiting him."
And again she eagerly searched the throng
to find the well-known form in the GOLDEN
broidered tunic of De Soto.
"Tell me for whom you are looking" Jack
asked, as she threw away the tassel, and turn
ing to the window sighed deeply.
"Oh don't know-yes, do know; l
thought might recognize some acquaintance,
but one can not tell who is who"
EYES," her companion replied, echoing her
sigh; II always think that the very concentra-
ton of loneliness is to find ones self in such a
crowd as this. used to enjoy it, but must
confess would rather we were all at home
A.,