San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-07-30
CHAPTER XIV.
CHATIEK XIV.
This is very midsummer madness"
TyaIffh NI0

'Thls is very midsummer madness"
Twelfth Night
A thing of beauty is Riverside tonight
Col Young has laid his whole place at the
disposal OF his guests. The beautiful grounds
are lighted by gay lanterns; the low murmur
OF the fountains comes refreshingly upon the
ear. Inside the long ballroom the dancing
is well advanced. Warm as the night is it
does not seem to abate the energy of either
the musicians or the dancers. Girls in pink,
blue, green, and all cOlOrs of the rainbow are
whirling round in their partners arms.
Pretty girls, ugly girls, commonplace girls,
fat men, thin men, awkward men, in all the
glory of their swallow tails and jeweled
studs all are mingled together in joyous con-
fusion. Every one is dancing save the host
and his bride, a fair, pretty, little thing who
stands shyly by her husband to receive their
guests.
One young man, neither fat, thin, nor
awkward, is threading his way through the
thrOng to where Eleanor Hathwell is stand
ing. He does not wear jeweled studs but
plain gold, and the fit of his coat Is faultless.
81 have come for my dance" he is saying.
'YOu remember you promised"
But have not danced the first yet. am
waiting for Mr. Allen; where in the world
has he gomez
"How beautiful you look tonight" he
says with sudden impulse.
Eyes; do l not? When looked in the
glass did not know myself. All, here is
Mr. Allen. Come, do not let us lose bar
of this"
Joe Allen is an average WALTER He pilots
his companion with considerable skill
through the crowd, but after all, dancing Is
not his forte; he does not care for 1t in the
least
- am tired" says the girl, Stop"
He stops Obediently. You do not like
my step" he says remOrSefully.
A group of men are approaching, clamor-
ing for intrOductiOns. Her card fills rapidly.
The men are pushing their way in eager
haste to get to her. The other girls are green
with envy as they stare at the black wall Of
coats through which they can Just catch
glimpse of gold, bronze hair. They try to
look as. if they do not care, and whisper that
Miss Hathwell is dressed in very queer taste
and is shOckingly fast. The second waltz
strikes up, the black wall breaks, the men
turn regretfully away to seek their partners.
Eleanor looks anXiOuSly around. Has he
forgotten? Forgotten! not he. He comes to
her breathleSS, eager.
81 was so afraid you would cut me-" he
says But | could not come moment
sooner"
She gives him no reply, only smile, and
they begin. To dance well Is a gift and
rarer than one might think. 1t Is seldom we
see two beautiful dancers together, but if
you will look in at Col. YOung's ballroom
now, you will see them-a tall girl in creamy
white, tall man with clOse-cut wavy hair.
pause and pant with fatigue, but on they go.
Many stop simply to watch them. Admira-
ton is written on every face. She does not
bid him stop; She who tires quickly; she is
not tired now. And newell, he IS surely
not in love with her. 1t is not little Rose
Darrell with her childish, sunny face that he
holds. But after all he would not exchange
if he could, for these few mad moments she
is his, his only. Was ever waltz so beauti-
full?
The music comes to an end. They stop
abruptly.
"VerVw well. How many more are you go
ing to give me-"
II have not any more. Is it not too badT'
TOO bad You must cut some of these
fellows"
Take any you like" she says simply. at
makes no difference to me. ] don't care to
dance with any of them"
"Ah, here you are" cries the Colonel, hur-
rying up to them. Dial, my boy, what
dancer you are. If we had prize for the
best dancer we'd know who to give it 20 Eth,
Miss NellyY
Pm horribly Jealous" says the girl, pre-
tending to pOut Before Mr.. Carew came
was always the best dancer. didn't think
you would treat me so, Colonel"
why, bless my soul, Miss Nelly, you
ought to be satisfied with being the belle and
you get these odd striped tiowersY'
''Ihey came direct from the garden of
Eden, says the girl with a wicked little
laugh. Have you finished with my card,
Mr.. Carew?" He hands it to her gravely.
"Ah, what have you done? But, indeed,
can not give you every round dance" The
Colonel had rushed away. They are stand
ing these two, in the shadow of the window,
the thick curtains hide them quite. Hapless
young gdrcOns are searching the room and
the grounds for Miss Hathwell, but Miss
Hathwell seems very well pleased to stay
where she is
81 did not think you cared about eti-
quette," says the young man; land we
dance SO well together"
But indeed. ! can not do this. Ii is out
OF the question"
''Oh, very welt" speaking with great in
difference; ''if Pm not to have those won't
take any; no half loaf for me-"
Then go without as you care so little"
cries the girl with indignant flashing eyes,
though her heart rebels against her words.
miss Eleanor he says, taking her hand
and looking with his handsome eyes into her
angry face, why should we quarrel and yet
we always do. Give me these dances, will
not yOuY
NO" Jerking her hand Indignantly away.
Then permit me to find your partner" he
says, coldly. ale will never find you here"
"Let me see who it is firstP All, with a
Hlllc slSIl, lllc Nplot udllCtI Ill tile IOOlll.
Dallas does not seem 10 hear, his hand Is
on the curtain to push it aside. Eleanor
stretches out her hand. "Mr. Carew."
He turns back. "WellP'
IL" stopping short
"What would you tell me?' speaking in
soft low tones and bending his handsome
head close to hers. "What is it?'
She hesitates moment and then throw
ing pride, etiquette, right and wrong to the
winds, and yielding only to the impulses of
her foolish heart answers, while her cheeks
glow. like scarlet flowers and her eyes are
weighed down with shame:
You may have them ALL"
A triumphant look lightens up his face.
And you will give me every one" he says,
eagerly. "YOu will not even keep one for
that stupid Allen boy"