The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-01-10

what sad and wistful in expression, OF
that rare, delicate olive color one sees
in the South, with the skin OF SO fine q
texture that the red flush springs up
through the vein-tracery ut moments
the large brown eyes were
soft and dreamy, the chiseled mouth
was half parted, and the dark brown
hair, looking black as night, was worn
Greek fashion close to the head, sweep
ing in undulating lines past the tiny
rose-tipped ears. She was seated on
low sofa, carelcssly clasping one knee
with both hands. She wore simple
white frock, Just mysteriously frilled
around the little white column of
throat, and a great black-red rose
nestled in her breast. One little high
arched foot, in peach -colored netted
silk, kept swinging to the music. No
one seemed to talk to her except the
Doctor, who smiled pleasantly as she
passed, and said something to which
she answered with nod.
"Ol helia ut last said Grayton to
himself; and in melancholy vein he
wished he were Hamlet, and could lie
at her feet and watch the play.
"Poor Ophelia. divided from herself
and her fair judgment!" the quotation
was irresistible). 81 wonder what sent
her here-some brute OF man, or a
soldier-lover killed ut kassassin. Gra-
cious! hope this terrible Meg Mer-
rifles is not going to ask me to dance!'
and he moved away as he saw Wild
eyed woman bearing down upon him,
to seat somewhere near 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 sort of pitying light seemed to
glow in the sorrowful eyes. A moment
passed, and then she arose quietly and
with perfectly self-possessed grace
walked over to him--to his intense as
tonishment 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, l think was sad because you
We're looking sad."
WAS I? I suppose I always do,
then. OF course being here naturally
makes one feel sad. But we won't talk
of that" she added, quickly. ado you
care for dancing? I'll dance with you,
if you like"
Dance! with you?"
"Oh, yes, il you like: many of the
others dance, you know"
How calmly she seems to recognize
her sad state!' thought Grayton, rs he
stood up and passed his arm around
poor Ophelia's slender waist, wonder
ing how she would Zig and amhle. "
They were playing the Dream Faces,
and as they swung in undulatel
rhythm to the pretty song he felt that
few slips Of sane Il would come up to
her.
"That's right" said the Doctor. on.
couragingly; "set a good example.
Means I'm to be a tonic, l suppose,
thought Grayton; so he carried of
Ophelia for an ice.
"Iou dance beautifully" she said.
mo. you sit down and LII get you the
ice; there, now, there's a spoon and a
wafer; now you feel comfortable, don'i
you? Isn't that lovely valse?'
"ies. I'm fond OF Dream Faces the
people one meets in dreams are gener.
ally vastly nicer than the real folk.
have many dream friends"
"have you?" she SAID. looking
amused; "tell me of them."
well, You know, think I'm married
to n dream-w!fe--iu just like Gilbert's
Princess Toto, YOU know, with he,
dream husband. And she comes te
ME sometimes and scolds me ii I've
dcne anything wrong in the day; and
sometimes she's very loving, and some
times she's cross and doesn't come neal
me for weeks
He felt as il he were telling fair,
tale to child.
How charming. Do tell me more q
her. Is she beautiful? What is sht
| like"
| The fanciful coneeit seemed to anus,
her, SO he went on drawing prett,
pictures of an ideal woman: then grow
ing unconsciously eloquent. he burs
out, "in, if one could only meet he
alive, what wife she would make. !
very second self. aiding. svmpathizing
helping. loving once the cherries
of chums and the most idolized o
IDOLS
She had flushed little as he spoke
but she went on, "What pretty pic
ture! Where did You get yonr beauti
full thoughts about marriage?'
Il suppose my dream girl taugh
me-"
rs she pretty?'
Grayton wondered if deliberate bare
faced compliment would be goo
tonic for lunatic. "Ics, beautiful
She has large brown eyes, wonderful
hair, low voice, an olive oval face
she dances superbly, and she wears
black-red rose in her dress
Ophelia looked little frightened.
Forgive me, / didn't mean 10 b
rude, but she is-really, you are nc
angry with me-" and he laid his han
gently on hers
"Oh, no." then there was pause
Come, and let me show YOU som
ictures; I'm something Of an arts
mvself." and she led him into Ion
gallery, and talked art SD sensibly an
.ympathetically that here, ut all events
e felt there was very pleasant mctho
i'll her madness.
Talking art" is n recognized metho
of interchanging sympathies.
He was TO bad Judge of picture
but he preferred to affect ignoranc,
and asked the stupidest questions sin
ply for the pleasure of hearing be
talk. There was kind Of innocei
dignity about her that fascinated hin
She was more like yestal virgin thu
bacchante. SO the evening passed a
too quickly, till he suddenly hethougl
himself that there was an importai
division in the Lords that night, AN
that he was bound to he mot conten,
before the clock struck IL. and aite
that he was due Mt Lady Congleton
dance.
Must You 60 away?" she sal,
"why?'
"Well, you see, I'm one Of thos
/ u Il. I L., H.