The Portland daily press., 1880-02-24
THE PRESS.
from Good Company
When Greek Meets Greek
BY MARY DESatta.
ICONCLUDED.l
A Story Founded on Fact.

CONCLUDED.
The long, low, heavily beamed hall which
formed the upper story of the Sandyvllle inn
was ablaze with a hundred candles, each
backed by tin reflector, when Prissy Mac
Arthur, brave in her rosy gown, came trip
ping up the stairs in her high-heeled slip
pers, on which glistened her great-grand-
fathers silver knee-buckles, that Miss
Wiggleswright had suffered her to wear on
this august occasion. as well as, fastened to
silver chain, an oval portrait of Miss ST.
lence herself in her youthful days. This
likeness was painted on ivory, and its setting
was studded with brilliants. Miss Wiggles
wright had looked closely aG the miniature
before giving it to Prissy. Who can be sure
that a thought of the dark-haired italian
WHO had colored the portrait, and who had
afterward dared to address lyrical poem to
the high-spirited young Silence, in which he
had compared her to Venus, Minerva and a
score of other heather denominations, and at
which tribute she had haughtily tossed her
head, dismissing it's abashed author from
her insulted presence,-whO can be snre
that a regretful remembrance OF her long
vanished admirer did not fit across the
mind of the sharp-featured woman of sixty
cold New England winters? If any such
recollection did arise, she gave no sign.
"The stones in the setting are firm" said
she. ''Here are earrings to match. Take
out those silly garnets from your ears, Pris-
ella l won't have part of your jewels
making fun of the rest"
There was a rush of Prissy's twenty ador-
ers as she paused at the entrance of the hail.
She looked, half-wistfully, from one to an
other, with little hope that Henderson
might possibly have returned. Henry Rey-
nold's, Randolph's chum, answered her
questioning glance. Mr.. Henderson was
somewhat better, still too ill for his son to
leave him.
1t could not be helped and Prissy gathered
her forces and determined to make the best
of it. She smiled pleasantly at the GIVEN
ty," and was promising her dances to one
and another. when there was a sudden,
breathless pause. Some one was saying, in
most impressive tones,
1.-THE Marquis de Lafayette desires to be
presented to Miss Wiggleswright, to Madam
Macarthur, and to her daughter, Miss Pris-
ella"
Prissy saw her aunt making stupendous
courtesy, and then before her own little self
the distinguished foreigner bent low in a
stately Obeisance. AS in a dream Prissy took
note Of his silken hose, satin knee-breeches,
velvet coat and powdered wig, for on this oc-
casion Lafayette wore the costume of fifty
more elegant than the brass-buttoned swal-
low-tails then in fashion. Still in dream
Prissy heard him requesting the honor of
Madame MacArthur's hand in the dance and
on discovering that neither Mrs. Macarthur
nor her sister had ever trod a measure in the
whole conrse of their sedate lives he begged
earnestly that, at least, the youngest of his
old friends descendants would favor him,
and, before all eyes, Prissy was led, trem-
bling, timid, proud, into the middle of the
hall.
She never knew how she managed to per-
form her part in the quadrille. There was a
misty remembrance of crossing hands, CT
gliding here and there, under the guidance
Of her partner, (who, though somewhat lame,
was never clumsy,) and Of at last being
drawn aside to hear him express his appre-
citation of the pleasure she had given him.
With downcast eyes and fluttering heart
Prissy stammered her replies, confusedly
wondering what might be the proper title by
which to address a French marquis. Should
she say ''Your Highness"? ''Your Grace?
surging to her face, and she could only
stand abashed, yet devoutly hoping he would
not be lnsulted by her ignorance or disguised
by her awkwardness.
Apparently he was neither, for, without
the slightest disregard to the claims of the
other ladies and to those of the college dig
nitaries, he was frequently remarked during
the evening at Prissy's side. By degrees her
shyness vanished. Why should she fear this
kindly man who bestowed on her his flatter-
ing consideration?
In his fascinating broken English he told
her tales of the days when America waded
through seas of blood to gain her freedom
He spoke with genuine emotion of all he had
owed to her great-grandfather, and then in
answer to Prissy's timid inquiries, he pic
tured to her the awful scenes of the French
revolution, and of the times when, as COM
mander of the National guard, he had vainly
endeavored to shield the unfortunate Marie
Antoinette from suffering and contumely.
But of that he preferred to speak briefly and
bringing the conversation back to Prissy's
self he asked her Of her daily life and seemed
pleasantly entertained when artless Prissy
prattled on of her homely duties, of her rare
holidays, of the eagerness with which she
had looked forward to this very evening,
and of her unhappiness when she feared she
might not be permitted to come to the ball.
Little by little, half amused, half touched
by her frankness, Lafayette led her on, until
he actually laid finger on that which lay
nearest to her innocent heart. What won
der that by degrees the story all came out
the pathetic story of Prissy's s'true love-,
which would not "run smooth" For that
the marquis showed abundant sympathy
All! surely he had not forgotten the DAYS
when the sweet face of the granddaughter
of the Due de Noailles had reused the pas
sion of his own boyish heart! But when
Prissy, enticed by his kindness and his TACT
half whispered her lovers name, change
came over her listeners face. He shrugged
his shoulders.
-Henderson-non, Ona, mon
enfdnt. My ears are very open. Since COM
ing here this day they tell me wrong things
of that young man. 1 speak to many of this
scholar-of that one. question of the COL
lege men. Henderson; he is headstrong
naGtdisdnt, what may you call it? He is not
to be trusted. Your love must not go to
him, Mddemoiselle."
Prissy was aghast. More than that she
was indignant. She poured out her impetu-
GUS defense. Randolph Henderson had been
basely maligned. 1t was an enemy who had
told malicious tales against him. How could
one who held the position which Hender-
sons talents gave to him fail to meet the en-
Wy of meaner souls? The marquis still said
"Non. non!'
But Prissy, undaunted, argued fervently
on, until, whether by the force of her APP
peal, or by the power of her childlike eyes,
OF because of the inherent willingness of
even an aged man to please fair young
girl, Lafayette was moved to admit that af-
ter all, she was herself the best judge of the
matter, perhaps. Had not young Hender-
son made her his confdante for years? Had
she not tested his integrity? Had not a long
probation showed him to be upright, noble,