Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-02-23

muttcring of brighton AS ;""yCu know
who he was?" and he whispered a name
in Grayton's ear that made that nobloman
whistle softly.
"And are there any Ophelias, whose
young maids wits should be rs mortal is
an old mans life? asked Grayton, show
inc that he knew his Shakespeare is well
rs the Doctor.
eyes; but we keep their secrets. Now
go and Dance" and the Doctor took King
Lear OFF for = cup of coffee.
1t was sad, weird sight altogether,
and rs Grayton watched it, it reminded
him of Kaulbach's dance of Death, "and
he felt oddly morbid as he thought Of his
own lonely life. lie had once loved ani
given his heart to woman whom he had
both idolizcd and idealized; he had youth,
brains and position, and with her he felt
lie could conquer the world. 1t was an
old story; she turned ont TO be as loveleSs
as she was lovely, and so he took to the
tigers. lie had got over it MI now, but
lie shuddered rs ne remembered the fret
of it all. and thought how near madness
he had been driven when he heard of her
ultimate fate, and where her life had
drirted to. So there were Ophelias here.
More like Audreys, he thought, rs he
watched some rather uncOuth gamboling
in corner. His eyes wandered around
the room, and rested ut last OH face.
1t was IN exquisite oval face, somewhat
sad and wistful in expression, OF that rare
delicate olive color one secs in the south,
with the skin Of SO fine texture that the
red flush springs up through the vcin-
tracery at moments excitement; the
large brown eyes were soft and dreamy,
the chiseled mouth was half-partcd, anG
the dark brown hair, looking black rs
night, was worn Greek fashion close TO
the head sweeping in undulating line
past the tiny, rOsc-tippcd ears. She was
seated on low sofa, carelessly clasplug
one knee with both hands. She wore 4
simple white frock, just mysteriously
frilled round the little white column Of 4
throat, aud 4 great black-red rose nestled
in her breast. One little high-archcd
foot, in peach-colorcd nettcd silk stock
ings, kept swinging to the music. No one
seemed To talk to her except the Doctor,
who smiled pleasantly as lie passed and
said something to which she answered
with nod.
"'Poor Ophclia! divided from herself
and her fair judgment'.' (thc quotation
was irgesi.tible,. II wonder what sent
her herc-Somc brute Of man, or soldier
lover ut Kassassin. Gracious, hope this
Meg Mcrrilles is not going to ask me 10
dance" and he moved away, as he saw q
wild-eycd woman bearing down upon
him, to seat somewhat nearer the pale
girl with the rcd-black rose.
For a 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 sor-
rowful eyes. A moment passed, and then
she roso quietly, and with perfect, self
possessed grace walked over to him-to
his intense astonishment sat down quietly
by his side, and said in q soft, musical
voice:
"You seem sad tonight; am sorry"
For moment he was tongue-tcd; thea
he recollected his instructions and pulled
himself together.
"Well, | think was sad because you
were looking sad"
"Was /? suppose always 60, then.
or course, being here naturally makes one
feel sad. But we won't talk of that, " she
added quickly. "Do you care for dane
ing? I'll dance with you if like"
"Dance, with you?"
90, yes, if you like; many Of the others
dance, you know"
GLOW calmly sho seems to recognize
her sad fate!' thought Grayton, as he
stood up and passed his arm around poor
Oplelia's slender waist, wondering how
she would sig and amble." They were
playing the dream Faces, and as they
swung in uadu!ating rhythm to the pretty
song he felt that FEW slips OF sane seven
teen could come up to her.
"rhat's right, " said tho Doctor, encour-
aginSly, "set good example.
"Mcans I'm to be tonic, | suppose, ="
thought Grayton; 80 he carried of Ophe-
la for an ice.
"YOu dance beautifully" she said.
"No, you sit down and I'll get you the
ice; there now, there's spoon aud Il
,yaf.r. uo,v Won feel comfortable, don Z