Mexico weekly ledger., 1889-06-13

'NJF 'ND '@NN@ssN
gazing steadfastly with her great earnest
eyes at Fairfax.
Her figure was encaSed in a Superbly-fit-
ting dress of cream-color. In her right hand
she held O bouquet Of roses, white, red and
yellow; while. above her lovely brow, fast
ened among those dark tresses, glittered a
golden star, from whose center a pure dia-
mond shot forth brilliant rays, reflected
from the myriad lights below.
The old Marquis, with powdered white
hair and cue, knee-breeches and antique
buckles, and talking to her with the name
less grace of the French school, while he
carried her long cloak on his free arm,
made, with her, so charming a picture as
they came slowly and with graceful dignity
down the steps, that every body uncon-
sciously ceased conversing to gaze admir-
ingly upon the pair.
1t was Just at this moment that Fairfax
CHANGED to look up and catch her eye upon
him. She, too. seemed q little confused at
being detected in gazing so fixedly at o
stranger, and, flushing slightly, turned to
her escort and asked him some impronptu
question.
Lady Lydia, his watchful companion, per-
ceived the confusion on the part of Fairfax
with evident surprise, and said, quickly:
"Ahi you have already met my friend, the
Princess, then!n
Rarely thrown Off his guard, and wonder
fully quick at recovering himself, he an
swered, slowly and quietly:
"You are mistaken. If you refer to the
lady coming down the stairs, I never saw
her before this evening"
This was quite true, for it was after six
O'Clock, when she was watering her horse
at the pool.
Not so easily forced to retreat, Lydia de-
termined to follow~ her attack with a
coup d. ctat. Easily and gracefully slipping
her arm through his, she remarked:
"Let me present you, then"
Was 1t intuition, timidity or a feeling that
b Princess was a being from another
world and must be worshiped at a dis
tance-what was it that caused Fairfax to
start back with a look of alarm and hastily
exclaim:
"No. Please do not do that"
He saw his error Immediately, as did
Lydia. Smiling sarcastically, she re-
marked, in ironical tones:
"You appear to be extremely disturbed at
b idea of meeting Il mere stranger, Mr..
Fairfax; and one so attractive, too"
Just here the Marchioness entered from
an adjoining room and, seeing the Princess
prepared for departure, fastened toward
her, saying:
"Surely, my dear Natalie, you are not
going, without, at least, one song. I have
stopped the waltz for the express purpose
Of hearing you sing"
Smiling sweetly, her charming guest re-
piled:
certainly, # you wish it, but it must be
only one"
Going to the piano, the Princess played a
few soft chords and began her song.
Since the fatal moment every occurrence
a been so opportune, SO peculiarly and
strangely appropriate, that it seemed to
| Fairfax as if he were in a land of enchant-
ment, or dreaming. But six hours had
| elapsed since he had seen, only for a mo-
ment, and become helplessly fascinated
| with the most lovely being he had ever be-
held. Fortune had also wiled it that he
should not only learn the name of this fair
stranger as well as the haunts of her ar
tistic labors, but, also, should become the
present possessor of certain valued belong
ings of hers, while, to cap the climax, he was,
> now, not only IN her presence, but one of his ia
vorite ballads, that had been ringing through
his brain, ever since he had read it en-.
graved upon the handle of the recovered
hife-that very song she was actually now
singing, with u voice glorious and strong;
and, yet, so sweet and deeply sympathetic
that it thrilled every fiber of his being with
q pleasure so subtle that it was akin to
pain. Many did not restrain their tears,
and all were visibly affected. When she
finished, no applause followed. The unusual
silence was far more commendatory. A
gentle pressure Of Natalie's hand by the
Marchioness, and o quiet: sThank you, my
dear,' from the old gentleman, spoke vol
umes of praise.
Her cloak, trimmed with white ermine
was thrown over the Princess beautiful.
neck and shoulders; her own white fingers
deity encased the shapely head in its rich
covering, leaving the far-shining star still
visible.
Kissing the Warehouses, she turned tx
the guests, who rose unanimously, and
making a pretty bow, took the arm of the
Marquis and walked down the hall towart
the door. AS she passed by, Fairfax heard
her say:
''That song has haunted me all the ever
ing and / can not get rid Of it,"
He i~nvoluntarily started, for had he no
been in the same predicamenta
ga few hours ago." continued she, &c
discovered that 1 had lost q precious gif
that my brother gave to me, just before h,
died. The first few bars of that, his ia
vorite ballad, were engraved upon it. I an
WHY oetA SbSl u ioSo
Here Fairfax lost her words. He wa
seized with an almost uncomfortable desir,
to hasten after her and restore the los
knife to its proper owner. Blu theL Lad.
Lydia, who had been watching him with tn
eye Of a lynx, remarked, sarcastically:
"Surely you don't intend pursuing an en-
tire stranger, after refusing an introdue
ton to hersn
Recalled to his senses, Fairfax regarde
his fair tormentor q moment, half in er
treaty, half in defiance; then, assuming hi
usual bravado spirit, gave her his arm.
He was filed with joy. 'otto," ther
was only her brother and not a lover.
Success had crowned all the young man
efforts. He had discovered far more abou
the Princess thar he had even dared to hop
for, and-far above ani-had been honore
by more than a passing glance from her.
Awih delirium of joy came over hin
The turn in the tide of his life had, at las
come. He would take ii.
Abandoning himself to the delight of th
moment, he waltzed as he had never waltze
before and found q worthy companion
Lydia, who moved through the dance wit
marvellous ease and grace. Neither ha
) ever before met with such a partner. The
dancing was so remarkable that all Ii
others paused to watch them. The orche
ira was inspired and the music transpor
ingly sweet.
!, In the case OF Fairfax, this display w,
|. : simply q vent to his suddenly aroused an
: violent feeling-the expression of passion
, ate Joy. With the girl it was the effort of
viii stirred by pique. Wealthy, titled, q
: ! mired, afeaHs accustomed to easy conque,
and fiattery, b was, from the first, Al
noyed by the lack Of interest which th
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