The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-01-26


away, as he saw wild-eyed woman
bearing down upon him, to seat some
what nearer the pale girl with the black
red rose.
For time he watched her; then he
tried to magnetic her. At last their
eyes met; he stared her full in the face
She never shrank from his look, only a
sort of plying light seemed to glow in
the sorrowful eyes. A moment passed
and then she rose quietly and with per-
feet self-possessed grace walked over to
| him-to his intense establishment sat
down quietly by his side, and said in
soft musical voice
"lou seem sad tonight. lam sorry"
For moment he was tongue tied;
then he recollected his instructions and
pulled himself together.
"Well think 1 was sad because you
were looking sad.'
WAS l? suppose l always do then.
Of course being here naturally makes
one feel sad. But We won't talk of
that" she added quickly. "Do you
care for dancing? I'll dance with you,
if you like"
"Dance! with you?"
20, yes. if you like; many of the others
dance, yea know"
How calmly she seems to recognize
her sad state y thought Grayton, as he
stood up and passed his arm round poor
Ophelia's slender waist, wondering how
she would Jig and amble." They were
playing the Dream Faces" and as tn, v
swung in undulating rhythm to the pretty
song he felt that few slips OF sane seven
teen could GENE up to her.
chats right" said the Doctor encour-
agingly; ''set good example," means
I'm to be tonic, suppose" thought
Grayton; SO he carried off Ophelia for an
ice.
You dance beautifully" she said.
No, you sit down and I'll get you the
ice; there now, there a spoon and
wafer; now you feel comfortable, don't
you? Isn't that lovely valse ?''
Eyes, Pm FOND of Dream Faces; the
people one meets in dreams are general,
vastly nicer than the real folk. l have
many dream friends
Have you ?" she said, looking amused:
tell me of Them
We'll. you know. think I'm marrieG
TO dream wife-just like GIlbert's Prin
cess Toto, you know, with her dream
husband. And she comes to me some
times and scolds me if I've done anything
wrong in the day; and sometimes she's
very loving. and sometimes she's cross
and doesn't come near me for weeks"
He felt as if he was telling fairy tale
to child.
GLOW charming! Do tell me more
of her. Is she beautiful? What is she
like ?''
The fanciful conceit seemed to amuse
her, SO he went on drawing pretty pic
lures of an ideal woman; then growing
unconsciously eloquent, he burst out:
"Ah, if one could only meet her alive.
what a wife she would make A very
second self, aiding. sympathizing, help
ing, loving-at once the cheerest OF
chums and the most idolized of idols"
She had flushed little as he spoke, but
she went on: What pretty picture :!
Where did you get your beautiful
thoughts about marriage?'
Il suppose my dream-girl taught, me"
lis she pretty?"
Grayton wondered if deliberate bare.
faced compliment would be a good tonic
for lunatic. Yes, beautiful. She has
| large brown eyes, wonderful hair, a low
voice, an olive oval face, she dances SUI
perbly, and she wears a back red rose in
| her white dress"
Ophelia looked little frightened.
Forgive me, didn't mean to be rude,
but she is-really, you are not angry with
me?' and he laid his hand gently on
hers.
80, no.' then there was a pause.
"Come, and let me show you some pic
lures; I'm something Of an artist myself"
| and she led him into long gallery, and
talked art SO seusibly ard sympathetic
ally that here, at all events he felt there
was very pleasant method in her mad
| ness.
Talking art is recognized method
of interchanging sympathies.
He was no bad judge of picture; but
he preferred to affect ignorance, and
asked the stupidcst questions simply for
the pleasure of hearing her talk. There
was a kind of innocent dignity about her
that fascinated him. She was more like
a Eestal virgin than a Bacchante. So
the evening passed all too quickly, till he
suddenly bethought himself that there
was an important division in the Lords
that night, and that he was bound to be
mot content" before the clock struck
eleven, and after that he was due at
Lady Copgleton's dance.
Must you 60 away - she said; "why9'
"Well, you see. I'm one of those much
abused people that the Radicals call He.
reditary Legislators, and | am not boil
ished yet; | must be in onr House at
eleven"
OF course she could not have nnder-
stood word he said, for she murmured
to herself, Poor fellow! so young. too!'
He rose and held his hand out. Good
night; thank you for very charming
evening""
Good night, said Ophelia, tenderly.
81 should like a little memory of this
meeting; will you give me that rosee I've
been longing for it all the evening""
"Of course I will; why didn't you ask
for it before ~ and she took it from her
dress and fastened it in his coat Il shall
see you again. there will be another dance
here soon. How is it that | never saw
you before at one ~
"This is my first dance here" he said
gravely.
Why it was that Ophelia's eyes sud-
denly filed with tears he couldn't under
stand. but she left him with quiet bow
and went back to the dancing room.
you've been enjoying yourself, see,"
said the doctor, IS Grayton came to say
good by, though must say it was rather