The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1880-02-27
THE USUAL WAY,
90
A r U r AL r O NJ A n G Il
.,.F 30
IFeR THE oRAEGEDUNG DEMOCRAT.l
~ BYfL EsTELLE. rTr

Mr.. Trafford wis on the eve of de-
parture for his distant home, and q
farewell social party had been given
in his honor. Kate was'radiant that
night, and Tratrord seemed fully to
realize her. attractions. Weston was,
unable to secure her company at all,
and while looking at her moving care
lessly through the dance so absorbed
in conversation with her partner as
to forget when their turn came, what
was it that made him suddenly leave
the room and seek the starlight?
Did he leave the revclers 10 their
snirth, finding no enjoyment in the
mere animal excitement which held
sway over their minds to commune
alone with his own worthier feelings,
or to admire the beauties Of the stars
which one by one "swung out their
pale lanterns?" No, lie did not hold
such sweet communion with them.
"I'm n fool" is what he said to
them, because there was no one else
to hear-"a perfect idiot to come out
here with such tremor on simply be-
cause l saw him clasp her hand in the
dance, which is no more than every
body else does, and which l have
done scores of times myself and fell
no emotion either"
Star gazing is not calculated toi
steady any ones nerves especially if
Of an excitable temperament, and
Weston learned lesson there that he
had long been struggling against.
His heart was having its revenge now
for having been hushed and bade to
lie still 80 long. IIc should have
taken care to analyze his feelings
sooner, now it was too late. He did
not heed the flight of time till pres
emily couple came out to prone
made. Hidden in the recess formed
by window, he was unobscrvcd, and
was not aware Of their presence till
he recognized Katc's voice. They
had paused and were leaning owe: the
the railing. What was she saying
looking far away over the azure field !?
"Stars in the heavens, everywhere,
Stars that tremEle and wink and glow,
Stars that start back with broken glare
From the earth's dark shield below.
Over tie cloudy hill-tops, stars.
Stars where the moon strays idly by,
Stars where the twilight's dusky bars
Guard fast tare western sky.
ALI! strange old dream of seer and sage,
On which of those cleaning orDs up
yondcr,
Lurk the dark lines Of the mystic page
That holds my fatc-l wonderT'
The very question he had idly ask
ed himself, but he started suddenly
when the smooth, we'll modulatcd
tones of Trafford broke the silence,
eloquent TO at least two hearts there,
saying in manner he intended to be
impressive:
t'As seer and sage are both a
.tstrange old dream of the past, Miss
Raymond, let me be the astrologcr to
read your destiny in the stars, but
tell me first if am to share that des.
;tinyi"
Weston heard no more, for they
turned and moved off before Kate
gave the reply on which SO much de-
pended for him and his rival too, he
imagined, never suspccting that this
was but specimen Of the sentiment
al nonsense current in the intercourse
of the present day, and which finds
expression through many different
channels. Earnest himself, he judged
others to be like him in this respect.
Anxious to know the result of that
promenade, he joined the party again
and eagerly acrntinized the faces of
Kate and her recent escort TO detect
any traces Of emotion or surprise
such glances Of secret intelligence rs
might pass between them. His in
spection, however, was vain. If any
new relations existed between them
there was no betrayal of it in their
looks or actions. Puzzled he certain.
ly was. Trafford did not not resem-
BILE arejected lover as he moved about
with his usual ease and elegance.
Could Kate be heartless? Had the
serious proposal Of another made no
impression OH her, or was it all per-
feet acting? No, they could not be
engaged and seem SO careless. He
did not believe Kate was in love, she
looked too sclfpossesscd-hc had
pictured it difIerently-and TraGord,