Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-12-12

the recltations and you will give mo
the benefit of your ideas rs to how
such things as you think could be fit
tingly illustrated by tabcaux vivants.
There! Will not that be new ideap
l want something that has not been
done before. We must begin prepara-
tons at once"
When they got back to the drawing
rooms move was being made by the
younger people to break into dancing.
Pallatine, having in some way be-
come free again. made his way to
where Amina sat alone against the
wall.
Aren't you going to dance?" he
said, looking at her as he dropped into
seat beside her. She wore q gown
of dark red crepe, almost high in the
neck, and her small olive-tinted head,
with knot of waving black hair,
looked like cameo. Mrs. Merriweather.
who had regained her good-humor
long before the evening" had urged
Amina to wear something II little more
youthful.
You look so prim," had said the
widow, gazing. not without COM
placency, at the Venetian vision Of
robust charms thrown back by the
mirror rs her maid gave deft touch
here and there 10 the bodice of tho
pink brocade.
II don't care about dancing" was
Animals reply to Pallatine's remark.
II don't care for this sort of thing.
anyway. Only Mrs. Merriweather is
good enough to bring me. She is al
ways good. If | were better myself, !
suppose should enjoy it more"
why don't you enjoy itP" Palla-
tines eyes had grown as serious as her
own. He had abruptly awakened to
the fact of how profoundly bored no
had been all the evening. He had not
before felt so rested and comfortable
as sitting by the side of this solemn
little girl who took so determinedlytho
air of a dependent.
Because was not made for it, ]
suppose"
We'll" Pallatine's voice sank un.
consciously, perhaps Twas not, either"
'.But your family used to be very
gay and rich and fashionable. used II
not? That makes difference. You
would naturally feel willing to give it
all up now. It's only fair to take that
into account"
Pallatine brought his fine eyes around
upon her. What an extraordinary
little girl! What could she meanp
Mr. Pallatinc was coming into the
house constantly now to direct the ar
engagements for Mrs. Merriweathcr's
great entertainment-for as Mrs.
Merrweather said what was there with
his astonishing artistic taste that he
could net dop-and Mrs. Merriweather
had never been more gorgeous Mt all
seasons in her dress, had never had her
complexion put on more delicately,
more carefully and more with the
illusion of nature. Next to her Amina
crawled about the rooms and halls like
little brown mouse.
Il don't see why you can't mt least
be Elaine to my Guineverc. Mrs.
Merriweather said complainingly to
the girl. Then if we could only have
had Mr.. Pallatine for Launcelot it
would have been perfect! He would
make such handsome Launcelot! He
is so dark and knightly-looking!" Mrs.
Merriweather's blue eyes were soft.
She gave little sigh. But. of course.
as he is to read that portion of the
poem when the curtain rises to show n
tableau of the barge and the courtiers
of Arthur assembled. he can't be
Launcelot too. But repeat that you
might be Elaine. Amina."
'Do look like the Lily Maid of
AscolatP" cried Amina, flashing sud-
denly her berry-brown face with Il
bitter gleam in the eyes on her pro-
tectrcSs.
"A wig and blanc de theatre would
make You do" said Mrs. Merriweather.
But after ali Amina held good and
another Elaine was chosen. Mrs.
Merriwcathcr would have liked well
enough to be the Lily Maid herself.
But she could not be that and the
beautiful, guilty Queen too. And
Guinevere, of the two roles, was the
stronger attraction.
When the great night came Mrs.
Merriweather' magnificent drawing.
room was crowded to suffocation.
absurd to wear a decent gown in
ouCll IL CIOWo LlllSs DuHLCN OhO llVJ
to another.
But then, my dear, this is an es.
prcial occasion! A sort of public
proclamation of coming events-ehe"
The first lady Uttered behind her fan.
Actually it would seem so! You
notice that the young man has very
prominent place in the entire affair!
Good Heavens! how old do you think
Mrs. Merriweather really ISL"
TO be acknowledgements"
''Oh. my dear! Say forty-eight!
Well, he is handsome fellow. And
romance was always her weakness"
On the improvised platform, mean
while behind the lowered curtain, a
wild scene was enacting. A rumble OF
crazy conversation arose from the
ladies' dressing-room, like the tumult
of the sea when all its waves murmur
together.
How resolutely you have kept out Of
this whole thing said Egbert PalIatine
abruptly to Amina. He found himself,
for the moment, standing alone with
her-bOth of them isolated in the vor-
tex of the confusion.
mo. But could do more by help
ing than by being in the tableaux my.
self" she said. coldly, and fastened
h,,,. H. 4 f,,l 81 ,<;n nd