The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1891-12-25
ROSE JAFFREY'S LOVER,

Was there madder little bit of beauty
in all the town than Rose Jaffreys was3
Mad in her love of dancing, of music, of
dress. of lovers, of life! Not that she loved
the lovers, nor one of them. She let them
love her and hover around her for want of
better. But the one she might, she could,
she would have loved only looked on while
she danced
"Why shouldn't dance" she said to her
demure cousin Margaret, because Gordon
Penmore looks daggers at the dancerss
You should see his (Gordon's) eyes as he
watches me lying in Hayden Roth's arms
in that new figure, and floating, floating,
floating And Pm not really lying in his
arms at all, you know, but taking care of
myself like piece of cut steel. don't
know why Gordon Penmore should make
it his affair at all. Oh, how should hate to
he obedient to his whins-to any mans
whims."
And before she had we'll ceased speaking
the little sprite's face was buried among
the sofa cushions, and she was shaking
with gust OF sobs "The ideap' she cried,
springing to her feet the next moment.
"Crying for all am worth because Cor
don Penmorc isis in existencel What
should care for the great arrow pointed
eyes? Twill let him see tonightl'
And she did, as she danced at Mrs. Bad
don's ball-danced rs the waves dance, an
lightly, as gayly, as tirelessly. She stopped
suddenly-stopped just where he stood, at
the conservatory door.
1T makes one almost giddy," she said,
smiling family.
"Quite," said he gravely.
Thanks, Mr.. Roth. Now I am going
to remember my promise for the rest of
the waltz in favor of my cousin Margaret.
If you want to do me favor you will take
her out. And will stay beside Mr.. Pen
more till you bring her here"
"You don't approve Of all this, do your
she said, looking up at Gordon.
Don't approve", he repeated.
"No. you don't approve of it. And
wonder what you are here for You know
you are just as-as wicked in countenanc-
ing the wrong by looking on as I am in do.
ing it. Oh, what lovely airl How can
you keep your feet still?''
''You can't" he said, smiling.
"Oh, if you only knew anything about
dancing" she exclaimed, "you couldn't
either. 1t is like having wings. Ahi that
air is simply delicious"
swell, let US try it," said Gordon Pen
more, ~ can waltz on occasion. Let me
see if dancing is all you say it is-that is"
remembering himself. 'if you will do me
the honor"
"Oh, honorl" said Rose, laughing like
mischievous sprite. "You know you don't
regard it so ats all You look at it almost
as degradation. All the same, you are
dancing! And will show you that you
have never danced before" And then
Gordon Penmore, with Rose in his arms,
her soft cheek flushing under his eve, her
sweet breath warm on his bending face,
her heart beating SO that he could feel its
throbs, was whirling in the maddest
waltz of the night But waking from the
dream they were just beside the conserva-
| tory door once more, and, neither exactly
knowing how, they had wandered down
one of the dewy alleys, and had paused as
if to breathe the bewildering odors in the
shadow of group of lemon trees. Nei.
ther of them spoke, till slowly. as if drawn
by an unwilling fate, their eyes met in a
long deep gaze, and his head bent, his
arms were around her, and their lips met
in the strong sweet kiss of passion that
belonged to the eternities.
When next morning Gordon PenmOre
came, Rose crept into the drawing room
like u guilty child.
81 thought-oh, thought" she whis-
| pered, after he had reassured her, ethat
you-you despised me-