Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-11-06
IN PARTHENIA'S GARB.

IL NHb ~ INV 'hih Nv
had come as lngomnr, she AS Par
thena. He had graduated from llnr-
ward only The june previous, aud ms he
was accustomed to spend his vacation
with his family in Europe or on tho
scabonrd no had scarcely been home
for four years. This was tho first
event of his homecoming, so not only
was he comparative stranger, but
the few recognizable faces were mask
cd from view. The accident Of their
costumes had assured him his first
dance with Partheuia aud fortune had
given him the rest.
As they danced together 1t was as II
they were moving in II dream. In the
CAV oddies of bright costumes, in tho
strange jumbIing of the garments of
al ages and all climes they too seem
ed inlcd to cling together, and thus 10
alone. In the mystery of her presence
he forgot himself and his ISOLATION,
content with the thought that for the
moment there was harmony between
them. Often utter strangers are Mt
tnchcd by the subtle ties OF sympathy
aud in tho first hour of intercourse ARE
induced 10 touch on heart secrets that
years of friendship could not elicit
Once she seemed to question who ho
was.
You have been to collcgc--lO llnr-
ynrdp' she said rs they were dancing n
qundrllc.
lie looked at her inquiringly Fora
moment she fnnced he recognized her
voice.
mo" he answered. as he took her
baud in the grand right aud left. Then
regrottng even masquerade iuIse-
hood. or perhaps with his vanity
aroused to know why she had thought
him college man, he waited until
they were together again, aud asked
tho reason lor tho question.
Nothing she replied, softly.
"Only | ouoo had n friend at Harvard,
very dear irIeud.'
THAT il such distinctive misGor-
tune, " '' remarked, with touch of
smi'i .uy,
ST., cd saddcr and moro thought-
ful alu d,d not reply His curiosity
wns aroused; possibly he was touched
with the dreamy regret of her voice.
II once lived in Cambridge,' he
said tentatively "Ond know many col
lcge men,
She shook her head and was silent.
II knew Elholbcrt Perry and Earle
Marvin.
she VAS startled
Yes, sue replied, after u moments
hesitation, Mir. Perry is engaged to I,
Miss Craig aud Mr. Marvin is now in
in Europe
lilo bit his lips in porplrXjty, Yet
why need he seek to discover who she
WASP
However she seemed dissatisfied,
you know MIR MnwiNP' she asked.
He laughed consciously. "Ios, /
have heard OF him. He was II wild
hNrumscarum fellow, woll known in
his class, bat II great prig.'
"llo had many triondsP she asked,
wisHulIy.
"Al first sight people liked him.
Then he demanded abruptly: DO
you know himP'
NO" she answered, after n slight
hesitation. Tuon she said: II hnyc
heard he was very popular"
She danced very we'll, As often
happens with girls of her restrained
disposition, she became strangely inn
puslyo with the excitement of motion,
When they ceased and went together
into the conservatory She was beaming
with glndnoss.
How pleasant" she exclaimed.
"Ah 1t makes me feel us II were a
girl again, aud Thought OF nothing but
Friendship aud howorsm
lie was amused at her assumption oil
maturity.
"Rcally,n he said, with Il SLY irony
you bear your age wonderfully; YOU
are remarkably we'll preserved.
She laughed ut the odd banter Of his
tone.
DO YOU really think me SO youugP
she asked little piq.ed,
An he said with a nnvuis HING
look, you are rs young as the un.
holding lily us young rs tho rosebud
at dawn
"rhut is true" sho said domurcly
MY mother has often told mo that
vas born young"
Very soon she rolapsed into hen
mood Of silence. After all, he Thought
her better thus. As she clung to nj,
arm she brought him dreams of hi,
boyhood, when he had cared for one II,
lovely ms She perhaps, but not so long
forgotten. They walked out into TIA,
hall and assembled the central stair
way, where they could overlook the
dancers beneath. lie leaned his hrat
against the baluStrade, She sat clasp
ing her knee and gazing ut him ab
stracledly, She was under the strange
~ imaginative influence of the mas
querade. Perhaps it was just thi:
very dream influence that pleased hin
SO, for is not all friendship, all passion
dreamP Certain it was that ms they
sat together strangers though the,
were. there was perfect understand
ing between them-so perfect, indeed