Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-04
CHAPTER ".

Unless a man is a boor it is impossible for
him to do just as he pleases at a social gather
ing. While 1 stood watching Margaret and
Rodney who had not yet seen each other,
felt light touch on my arm. Turning I met
the smiling glance of my hostess.
Let us find you partner for the cotillion,"
she said. "As one of the best dancers in the
city, we cannot spare you"
was far from being pleased with her sug-
gestion, but saw at once that there was no es-
cape. few moments later, therefore, was
seated beside vapId young woman who seemed
to feel that she had shared prize. She smiled
and chartered in a way which chilled me and
convinced me that her current and mine would
never flow in the same direction. Margaret
with the blase youth by her side. was seated
near the head of the line Rodney, who did not
dance, stood in the shadow Of the portiere at
There is going to be a delightful german"
simpered my partner.
II fear soft can't prevent" I answered
absently, looking towards Rodney.
why, what do you mean?" she asked.
20, excuse me! / ddn't quite catch your
remark. Yes, yes. you are right"
1 felt that the girl was wondering at my
strange demeanor; and SO drew myself together
and paid stricter attention to her ceaseless
talk But could not get my mind off the
drama which was passing before my eyes. 1
myself, and / could not discover whether my
fiancee had seen either me or my rival She
had not looked toward me. and she seemed to
be unconscious of Rodney's presence.
What beautiful girl is Margaret Durand,"
remarked my vis-a-vis rather epviously.
"Yes. and he knows itp'
"He2 Whof
He. They. Anybody. Everybody. Seer
Again my partner gazed at me in surprise.
She had begun to think that had been taking
too much wine, suspect, for her high spirits
suddenly deserted her.
The orchestra at that moment struck up
waltz and the cotillion had begun. Margaret
and her partner sat next to the leaders, and
soon afterward was dancing with my fiancee,
who had Loyalty given me her first favor.
why haven't you spoken to mef' she whis-
pered;
Because l wanted just one last dance before
was laid on the shelf" she answered rebelll-
ously. wont you forgive me?'
'Of course will, !" and drew her a bit closer
to me than the etiquette of the waltz strictly
warrants.
At that instant we passed the portiere at the
Good heaven, There's Mr.. Rodney" ea.
claimed Margaret in an agitated tone. "Didn't
you tell him what you promised tor"
Yes. And it wasn't an easy bit of work,
As Ileft her at her seat saw that she was
quite pale, and 1 returned to my place fore
bodingiy.
"Why is it that some men dance SO much
better than othersr' asked my partner who
had just been waltzing with a clumsy youth
'Currents, 1 suppose" was my reckless reply.
moment, and managed to escape the worst
effects my random answer might have pro-
duced.
so there's Mr.. Rodney at the end of the
ROOM" exclaimed Miss Loquacious when we
were again seated. "He's such striking look
ing mani have only met him once, but was
fascinated with him. Itis too bad he doesn't
dance"
He does" said. HE dances on men and
women"
what queer man you arer exclaimed my
puzzled partner.
As the german went on. began to hope that
my vague fears regarding Rodney's course were
groundless. l danced with Margaret several
times and found that she had regained thor
ough command of her nerves. Nevertheless,
Rodney did not stir from his place near the
portiere, and the attention he had begun to at
tract seemed to make no impression on him.
The hostess stood at his side for few mo-
ments and several men went over and shook
hands with him. Still he stood there, like an
avenging spirit, cold. motionless, infexible. At
no anger but contempt. This circumstance
gave me food for thought Why had his feel.
ings toward me SO suddenly changed?
what did the leader say to you about the
next f1gure?" asked my partner.
HE Thought was lying" 1 remarked quick
1y, as the explanation of Rodney's change of
mood came into my mind on the instant
Dance please" said the leader to us at that
moment, and again was able to escape the
consequences OF my lapsus linguR.
The strain was under had begun to wear
sleep the previous night. and realized by the
ragged manner Of my dancing that was
played out" as the saying goes. Under such
circumstances, the position 1 was in be-
came torture. / watched Margaret closely.
How beautiful she was! loved her more
passionately every moment. longed to stand
up and cry out: Move on, gentlemen. Miss
Durand belongs to me-" To sit there in such a
state of mind, and see thar electromagnetic
hawk poised to swoop down on his prey was
agony. 1 alternated between hope and fear.
Perhaps he would not get a chance to speak to
her; perhaps he did not have his device with
him; perhaps, if he thought that had lied to
him, he would defer his experiment until a
more convenient time. On the other hand,
why did he come to dancing party? And
having come. why did he not move on?' What
did he neal by standing in the shadow of q
curtain, like a stage assassin, making himself
conspicuous, and worrying Margaret and me-
1t was not until the first intermisslon that 1
obtained any surcease from these tantalizing
questions. As 1 passed through the hall with
my partner on my arm. i saw Rodney going
upstairs. "Ah." thought .he has given up
the contest for tonight He is going awayn
] felt like new man. My spirits returned and
the nonsensical little creature at my side