The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1878-02-27

Il
Along with the entrancing music
and even tread Of feet came the sub
dued ninrmur Of the dancers merry
voices,
First one little slipperea foot and
then her other became uneasy, and
Miss Woodville actually ran to the
room for fear they would get the bet.
ter of her, and make her go whirling
around the hall. \
But in FIVE minutes she was out
again. She trayersed the intricate
winding of the hotel corridors, and
at last succeeded in finding a "bell.
boy" snoozing in corner. The
magic touchof money aroused him
from his dream Of broken bell-wires.
From him she learned that some
benevolent society was giving a ball
for the benefit of q charitable pur-
pose in the rooms of the hotel
But what impressed hs most was
the information that it was a mask.
ed affair. u
"Boy, run quick, andHend cham.
bermaid to number fortyssix," Miss
Woodyille commanded; and then
said under her breath; sWhy not
have half hours fun2a
All traces of headache had disap-
peared-indeed she was under the
influence of a reaction that made
her brilliant.
There was a whisperin and mon
ey changed hands--rdHnipg here
and thore-more money, aud per-
haps more money, and at length the
maid might be heard to y;S g.
"AIiss, Pm afraid you'd think it
rather sombre-looking, bit il is the
only one the costumer hahleft. The
domino is ntauye silk trimmed with
swan's-down, and the mask isa black
face"
Just half an hour from the time
she awoke, hidden under fhe disguise
just described, Miss WoQdsille enter
ed The ballroom.
The revelry was at dts height,
The music was fascinating, thedanc-
ing most animated, and she thfong.
full of merriment.
The little. mduve dom 1o seemed
shy and, if'the truthliad aen I nown
was:half inclined to q f.on tie
scene she'had entered 50 oTashly.
TO what end her wavering doubt
would have carried her cannot be
known, for she had not stood in the
doorway two seconds, before a gent
loman, unmasked, like most of the
men in the room, snatched her un-
der his arm and led her off to a place
at the head of the quardrille.
A slight scream escaped her as she
looked up into his face, and her part
ner was obliged to lead her through
the first steps of the dance, for she
had lost the power of voluntary mo-
tion. But when the time arrived
for the side couple to dance, she had
recovered enough self.possession to
to listen calmy to the remarks other
captor.
"You seem to be a sly little puss.
Why did not find you before? l
have had the luck of getting all the
fat, puffy women in the room for
partners. Thank goodness, the last
one pleaded fatigue and left me just
as saw you"
And away he started, leading his
partner through the figures with all
the abandon his rather elderly form
could command. He squeezed her
hand, and glanced tenderly into her
eyes.
"You are the sweetest little crea-
ture," he said, coming. close to her,
as there was again a pause for them
in the dance. "You are so quiet;
you interest me; you are so different
from the rest here, Pray tell me
why you have chosen this sombre
costume2 1t really looks like half
mourning. Speak, pretty one"
In low, disguised voice, Miss
Woodville answered.
Don't you see, sir, that l am n
widow9"
"To be sure. Why, adore widows
have several among my lady
friends, but none SO charming as
yourself"
He kept pouring ont compliment
after comnliment and then entrent.