The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-01-31

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 astonishment sat
down quietly by his side, and said in a
soft musical voice:
You seem sad to night; am very
sorry"
For moment he was tongue-tied;
then he recollected his instructions and
pulled himself together.
''Well,I think was sad because you
were looking sad.''
"Was l? l suppose always do,
then. Of course. being here naturally
makes one feel sad. But we won't talk
care for dancing? I'll dance with you
if you like
E.Dance with you?"
80 yes, if you like; many of the 9TH
ers dance, you know"
''How calmly she seems to recognize
her sad state!' thought Graytofi, as he
stood up and passed his arm round
poor Ophelias's slender waist, wonder
ing how she would zig and amble.'
They were playing the '.Dream-F Faces
and as they swung in undulating
rhythm to the pretty song he felt that
few slips of sane II could come up to
her
''That's right" said the Doctor, en-
couragingly; ''set good example"
''Means I'm to be u 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's a spoon and q
wafer; now You feel comfortable, don't
you? Isn't that Il lovely valse?"
Eyes, I'm fond of Dream Faces
the people one meets in dreams are
generally vastly nicer than the real
folks. | have many dream friends"
Have you?' she said, looking anus
ed; tell me of them"
''Well, you know think I'm mar
ried to a dreamwife like Gil
bert's. Princess Toto, you know, with
her dream-husband And she comes
TO me sometimes and scolds me if I've
done anything wrong i'll the day; and
sometimes she very loving, and some
times she's cross and doesn't come
near me for weeks
He felt as if he were telling fairy
tale to child.
"How charming! Do tell me more
Of her. Is she beautiful? What is she
ike?"
The fanciful conceit seemed to amuse
her, so he went on drawing pretty pict-
ures of an ideal woman; then growing
unconsciously eloquent, he burst ont,
"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 cheeriest of
chums and the most idolized of idols"
She had flushed a little as he spoke,
but she went on, What pretty pic
ture! Where did you get your beautiful
thoughts about marriage?"
Il suppose my dream girl taught
me-"
''Is she pretty?''
Grayton wondered if deliberate bare
faced compliment would be a good
tonic for lunatic. Eyes, beautiful.
She has large brown eyes, wonderful
hair, low voice, an olive oval face,
she dances superbly, and she wears a
black-red rose in her white dress"
Ophelia looked a little frightened.
Forgive me, l 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 pause
''Come and let me show you some pic
lures; I'm something of an artist my
self;n and she led him into a long
gallery, and talked art SO sensibly and
sympathetically that here, at all events.
he felt there was a very pleasant meth
cd in her madness.
Talking art'' is recognized meth
cd of interchanging sympathies.
He was no bad Judge of a picture;
but he preferred to affect ignorance,
and asked the stupidest questions SIM
ply for the pleasure of hearing her talk.
There was kind of innocent dignity
about her that fascinated him. She
was more like a vestal virgin than
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 a mot con-
tent before the clock struck II, and
after that he was due at Lady Congle-
toms dance,
'.Must you go awaya" she said;
:swhy?'
"Well, you see, Tn one of those
much-abused people that the Radicals
call hereditary legislators, and am not
abolished yet; | must be in our house
at H."
OF course she could not have Under
stood word he said, for she murmur-
ed to herself, Poor fellow! so young,
| toor'
He rose and held his hand out
Good night; thank you for very
charming evening"
Good night, " said Ophelia, tenderly,
II should like a little memory Of this
meeting; will you give me that rose?
I've been longing for it all the evening" -
''Of course | 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 filled with tears he couldn't un-
derstand, but she left him with quiet
| bow and went back to the dancing
room.
You've been enjoying yourself,
see" said the Doctor, as Grayton came
to say good-by, though must say it
was rather selfish of both of you.
Selfish! why, did all ! could for
her, poor dear girl.
Poor! why, my dear Lord Grayton,
she has six thousand q year of her
ownr
Dear me! and what is done with itp''
''She does what she likes with it; she
helps all the big charities, and she
helps me and Copswood in particular,
and she generally does a lot of good TO
our poor people-picks. up some one
she takes a fancy to, and cheers him
up bit. She's one of my best tonics,
and this is the first time l have noticed
that she never danced once with pa
tient; that was your fault, you know. "
Good gracious! Then she-isn't-a
"a patient herself?"
The Doctor laughed till the tears
rolled down his jolly face. "Biess
my heart, no! That's Lady Mary Petit
grew, daughter of old Lord Polonius,
| and Sba'S inst one Of the cleVpreSt and