Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-01-03


She had no rival. He was hers-at least.
for the time being, and she resolved to
make tfe most Of her opportunity
/ Always an admirable dancer, she put
4 forth extraordinary efforts to Guido herself.
With Fairfax, all was unconscious abandon.
ment to the moment. His spirits infected
hers. The music was ravishing. In a
dream they seemed to float around the room.
Passing by one of the windows, he dexter
ously guided her toward 1t, and, arm in
arm, by tacit consent, they passed dut, on
to the balcony.
Fountains played softly around them in
the moonlight. The delicate subtle per-
fume of flowers was waited by, On the
balmy cir. The music, softened by dis
lance, was breath of poesy and tender
ness, while the glorious moonlight glittered
and shimmered through the pattering leaves
overhead.
This was her opportunity. But it was
( his, too. Her will was no longer predomi-
nant. She was half in love with, and most
decidedly interested in, this original strange
fellow. She could not deciphcr him; yet
knew that he was worthier, better and far
more to be respected than the society tops
who had hitherto surrounded her.
On the other hand, he simply admired this
magnificent creature. That was all He
had cold bloodedly formed a plan That plan
required the assistance Of the Lady Lydia
He was himself again; self-possessed,
knowing what he wanted, what were the
best methods by which to obtain it; and,
above all, thoroughly self-reliant
Lydia, on the contrary, seemed to have
lost her usual aplomb and keenness. She
realized that he was more than a match for
her, and that her will must submit to his,
this time, at least.
With sigh, she awaited his remarks.
$50 the Princess Natalie Is your friend."
asked he, boldly opening the battle.
Eyes, my dearest friend she answered,
half-sadly, her large, thoughtful .eyes, all
the time, quietly observing the effect of her
s'Poor Natalushka She lost her brother
recently, aud has never quite recovered
from the blow. Hers is strong, affection
ate nature that, loving once, loves for
eyer.v
Lydia could see the CLEAN in her COM
panion's eyes as she said this.
"She is spending her summer here, but
leaves soon for Lake Maggiore, where her
family is staying. 1t was there her brother
was killed. For that reason, she greatly
dslikes the place Her stay there is always
short She lives very quietly here and
avoids society. She came tonight, solely to
CRAFTY the MARQUIS and his wife,
"But, said she, suddenly, observing how
eagerly he was listening, and thinking that
he had forgotten himself, ''if you don't know
her, why were you so disturbed at her sud-
den appearance on the stairsf'
Fnirfax was on his guard in an instant
"Ohln replied he, with cleverly-uttered
t~l,
''only because she reminded me of recent
little incident in my career"
as that incident secretf inquired she,
archly.
II think 1t scarcely worth while relating"
answered he, with faint smile.
'sWell,n said Lydia, shrewdly dropping
the subject, ito return to Natalie, one effect
Of her brothers death upon her is that she
shuns not only society but, in every way,
mems society-especially that of young
men. Suitors there would, but may not be /;
for she refuses not only to speak with
them, but even to see them"
The willy speaker observed Fairfax close
ly during these words, but the face of that
individual was as immovable as that of a
statue.
"Come,n said he, "let us 20 buck"
The same waltz was still in progress in
the ballroom. The Same enhancing
strains enticed the nimble dancers to per-
form feats of grace and skill, but Fairfax
was no longer the same. He waltzed me-
chanically
Lydia perceived the chang and felt
piqued at il, but was more annoyed with her.
self for allowing such an interest in an un-
known American, so far below her in rank.
Presently she said:
''Let US stop and go into the hail.
There she found her chaperon, who re-
minded her Of the late hour.
Turning Unexpectedly to Fairfax and
looking him full in the face with her mar
velous eyes, she held out her hand with the
sweetest of smiles and said, in manner
that ought to have melted the most frigid
heart;
, ''Mr. Fairfax, am very glad to have met
you, and | hope that we may meet again.
Will you not call upon us, here, with your
ff'iendi And, should you come near us in
England, trust you will look us up
Fairfax, in a stiff, pre-occupied way,
bowed assent and thanks.
Lydia blushed angrily, but quickly recov-
ering herself, babe him goodnight in
her most charming manner
"Come Arthurri called his CHEEKY friend,
Dick; ''come, Fairfax, old man, we must be
going"