The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-08-01
TIE BEGGAR'S WALTZ.
a STORY.


<cn Eel lovingly on the sleeping
JIsge Of Palam. But bark =
strange DESCENDANT sound breaks the
Perfect sileacc. Chatter, clattcr, bang
a The noise proceeded from the pave
ment fronting Mrs. Thrones boarding
house. simultaneously were the shut
tiers Of the sleeping apartments thrown
open. and the startled inmates gazed
from from their respective windows at
the bewildering apparition below
There, in the infrmity Of age, stood an
individual--or ghost. Long white
hair fell in tangled lots over stopped
shoulders, and about her face in such a
manner that it was mostly concealed.
Her shoes were worn, and her dress
hung in ta:ters. Seeing that she had Sc
cured the attention Of the household, she
raised her eyes 20 the windows and bow
ed profoundly; then went through Sc
ries Of gymnastic movements more east
" imagined than described.
Becoming curious to know more Of
- ncctual visitor, they descended to
the pavement, with slight regard to toll
et-the ladies' hair mysteriously dwin.
died since nightfall from the graceful
Grecian coil to a knot like walnut,
and the gentlemen destitute Of coat or
collar.
Stranger still was the scene that en-
sued. They drew near her in order to
take a minute survey, but she motioned
them away with quaint gesture, and,
to the surprise of all, hobbled off into a
slow waltz.
Thus she continued, turninground and
round. until her strength seemed exhaus-
ell; then, sinking down on the doorstep
TO gain her breath, moaned piteously.
She was evidently beggar, but why
she chose this novel means, and the hour
of midnight, to ask aims of her fellow
creatures, was a mystery to all. They
gathered about her in amazement. Sew
eral questioned her, but her response was
such jargon as none Of her auditors had
ever before heard in either civilized or
heather tongue.
She then drew little lowered reticule
from her left arm, which she passed
from one to another for aims. Two gem
tlemen stood apart from the rest she
approached for their contribution also.
take that, vagabond, y said the taller
of the two, casting pittance ather feet,
'and in the future earn your living as
honest people do, in daylight"
The crone shrugged her shoulders,said
nothing but thought deeply. She then
bent her eyes on the face of the other,
wondering if she should receive similar
solace and advice from him.
He drew forth a coin Of glittering |
gold. and as he gave it said, poor wan |
derer, it will buy you bread and several
nights lodging.
She laid her hand on his head, and,
raising her eyes to the starry heavens,
seemed imploring blessing to rest upon
him. Then again bowing to her still
wondering spectators, she hobbled off in
the moonlight, looking more like a hob
onhlin than n human.
= : = + 4. +
Palam was quiet, unpretending
place, yet why it was that certain indi-
diyiluals persisted N aeaing there ever
Summer from the ncighboring city, Sir |
Isaac Newton, with his powerful reason
ing faculties, could not have told.
Still they came. Among the number
Of Mrs. Thrones guests was Edna
Bright a charming brunette Of nineteen.
her TEXTURES were symmetrical, her COM
plexion clear, and her great brown eyes
seemed as sparkling fountains of mirth
and good humor.
She was envied by the ladies ofeourse,
and admired by the gentlemen-especi-
ally by two of whom We shall speak. -
One was Henry Vane, tall, dark-faced,
and handsome; he was proud of his
name, bis fortune, aud equally so of his
personal attractions. His extreme in,
difference and seltpossession amounted,
at times, to haughtiness.
The face OF the other, Maurice Cassel,
was strikingly intellectual, and there
was that in bis expression peculiarly in
dicative Of great power of will. Yet in
manner he was shy and reserved, and
previous 10 the arrival of Edna Bright,
was seldom seon within a stones throw
Of ruilles and fiizzles.
Now, Mrs. Thrones female boarders,
ever faithful watchers, marveled greatly
that Henry Vane, so cold and Indifferent
to tho charms Of womanhood, and reti-
cent Maurice Cassell, should alike be-
come the victims of wild, romying Edna
Bright.
Strange il Is, that where there is no
congcniality, either in manner or dispo-
sition, there often flows an intangible un-
der-current of sympathy Such was the
case in this instance. 4
Edna Bright was holy unlike either of
her admirers. One was cold and super
eilions. the other shy aud grave, while
she was joyous and gay Is the larks that
sang 10 the meadow.
The hearts Of two strong men turned