San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-07-31
This story was commenced July sO.l
copyrighted. Al Rights ReSered)
OF MANY MOODS.


and II who always held my head 50 high"
Come, he says taking her hand, the
music is well begun now"
Again and again they whirl down the long
room. Fat, comedy, chaperOnS look at them
with Mortified amazement. Her enraged
partners come to her for their promised
Dances but TO one and all she gives the same
reply: 81 am engaged to Mr.. Carew."
There are two quadrilles. These she gives
their rightful owners. Alas! why are there
not more of these good old harmless square
dances? Col. Young feels uneasy as he
their dancing too much. Shes making her
self deucedly conspicuous" he mutters to
himself FLOW horribly fast" murmur the
girls who are mad with envy because the
handsOmest man in the room has not
deigned to notice or speak to them tonight.
Helen, unfortunately, is outdoors wander
ing about with the Professor.
The ball is at its height, still they dance
together. And Dallas, lie is enjoying this
night with a mad enjoyment that he never
felt before. Tomorrow he Will be the same
and will look at things with his customary,
cool, practical eyes, but for ton light he is in
tOXicated with pleasure. lie has forgotten
Rose Darrell with her money and her doll
ish face. lie is thinking only of this beauti-
ful girl whose heart is thrObbng against his
At the end of one of these waltzes Allen
comes to the gIrl asking COldly if she intends
going TO supper with him.
Yes" says Eleanor, haughtily, laying her
hand on his arm and together they enter the
supper room. He finds seat for her
behind a tall Switchboard covered with
flowers and leaves her. Just in front of her
a group of young men (Stags evidently are
standing. They have been drinking a triie
more champagne than is good for them and
their voices are raised. Through the flowers
their words reach her ears distinctly.
"Oh, yes, awfully handsome; cold as an
iceberg though"
'Cold!' cries the other. "Ha! hal Can't
agree with you. Carew seems to have thawed
her out considerably"
"Oh, Ddrs good hand at that; he's
touched the right chord, but | never thought
he'd tool Nelly llathweil."
Eleanor cheeks blaze; her eyes shine like
fire; she rises to her feet.
You think it's onc-sded case thenY'
says the first young fellow, inquirlngly.
'Ah, yes; Eve that on good authority; on
the wrong side, too Ha! haI
Lucky dog | WISH"
But Eleanor hears no more She has
rushed from the room into the empty ball
room, and thence to the friendly window
1t is low down to the ground and she steps
out Oh, to go nywhere-anywhe to be
alone. TO be free from the modification
she has brought upon herself Her eyes are
full of angry tears. She can scarcely see as
she hurrieS down the grayeled walk, and,
turning suddenly. comes face to face wifi,
Dallas Carew.
"What is the mattcr?7 he cries, startled as
well he may be. what is it? You are not
hurt, Nelly?'
mo: only angry"
Not hurt. only angry" he rejoins, smil-
ing. And what has put you out, little
girl?'
at was what heard some one say" she
answers, choking back sob. And, oh,
how | want to 90 home. / will not stay
here"
Il will take YOU home" I think he di.
vines the reason of ner anger.)
But the carriage will not come for three
hours yet and will have to wait Oh can
not"
Let me rUlU you home, he says, sudden
ly. There is Il boat out there and the river
will be beautiful in the moonlight. viii
yOu?"
YES"
He has not expected so ready an assent
but she, she does not think for an instant
She has thrown her sCrUplcS away; she does
not reflect that she is here with another man;
she only feels great longing to get away
and she is with Dallas Clrcw
but you must have something around
YOU" he says. wait, | will get it, and
leave word for your sister that you have gone
home with me-"
So he brings her soft white shawl and
wraps il tenderly about her and together
they go down to the river.
There among the tall river weeds and
emily she takes her place and the young man
follows her. Down the quiet stream, away
from the music and lights, they float. 1t is
so still, SO still, only the sweep of the oars to
break it. Above tieir heads the moon, that
pale cloud maiden, shines steadily down
upon them. Under the willow trees they
pass on to where the acacias hang their
heads so heavily weighed down with bios
SONS. and the fragrance comes
Sweet as the scent of orange groves
Upon some tropic sea-"
Dallas has shipped his oars now and the
little boat floats on. He is running his dress
snit this foolish Young man, but would he
not ruin twenty such for this? All, gladly.
Is il the moon that gives such glory to her
face? Had any one week ago told him
thai any woman could make his heart throb
and his pulses beat as his are doing now. he
would have laughed in scorn, and yet is there
some witchinp about this girl, this girl sit
ting fair and straight before him in her white
cIinging gown and strange, odd flowers at
her breastP Has she enthralled and be-
witched him with her wOndrous eyes?
e vet they have not spOken, She is not
looking at him. She Is staring overhead at
the great silent stars. They are nearly home
now for the distance is not great A purple
heartsease has slipped from its home amid
the masses of her hair. The young man
leans forward and lifts il gently.
81 NAV have this flower? You will not
take this from me and tear il to pieces,
SelIyPo
"Son Her voice is so low he can but
hear her.
IA month ago. she saws, half sadly, 81
,vonid not have done what have Tonight
for any man living. All, me, how | have
fallen.h
"You have done nothing wrong" he says,
uneaSiIy. Dlying his oars with switter strokes.
at is wrong, / should not have come.
I ought not TO have danced with YOU. Why
did Won make me? No one else could have
made me / did il for YOU"