Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-10-31
In PARTHENIA'S GARB.

had come as Ingomar. she as Par
thenia. He had graduated from Har-
ward only the June previous. and as he
was accustomed TO spend his vacation
with his family in Europe or on the
seaboard he had scarcely been home
for four years. This was the first
event of his homecoming. so not only
was he a comparative stranger. but
the few recognizable faces were mask
ed from view. The accident Of their
costumes had assured him his first
dance with Parthenia and fortune had
given him the rest.
AS they danced together 1t was as il
they were moving in dream. In the
gay eddies OF bright costumes. in the
strange jumbing of the garments Of
all ages aud all climes they too SEEM
ed fated 10 cling together. aud thus he
alone. In the mystery OF her presence
bo forgot himself and his isolation,
content with the thought that for the
moment there was harmony between
them. Often utter strangers are at
tached by the subtle ties OF sympathy.
and in the first hour of Intercourse arc
induced 10 touch on heart secrets that
years of friendship could not elicit.
Once she seemed to question who he
was.
You have been to colege-to Har-
vard?" she said as they were dancing
quadrille.
He looked at her inquiringly. For
moment she fanced he recognized her
voice.
mo" he answered as hc took her
hand in the grand right and left. Then
regrctting even masquerade false.
hood. or perhaps with his vanity
aroused to know why she had thought
him college man. he waited until
they were together again. and asked
the reason for the question.
Nothing" she replied. softly.
'Only once had friend at Harvard.
o very dear friend"
That is such n distinctive misfor-
tune" he remarked. with q touch Of
smiling irony.
| She seemed sadder and more thought
full and did not reply. His curiosity
was aroused; possibly he was touched
with the dreamy regret OF her voice.
II once lived in Cambridge" he
| said. tentatively. 'and knew many col
lege men,"
She shook her head and was silent.
Il knew Ethelbert Perry aud Earle
| Marvin.
She was startled.
Yes" she replied. after moments 9
hesitation, mir. Perry is engaged TO u
Miss Craig aud Mr.. Marvin is now in
in Europe"
lie bit his lips in perplexity. Yet
why need he seek to discover who she
] was?
However. she seemed dissatisfied.
you know Mr.. Marvin?' she asked.
He laughed consciously. Yes
have heard of him. He was wild
harumscarum fellow, well known in
his class. but "A great prig."
He had many friends?" she asked,
wistfully.
AT first sight people liked him"
Then he demanded abruptly: DO
you know him?"
No." she answered. after slight
hesitation. Then she said: Il have
heard he was very popular"
! She danced very well. As often
happens with girls of her restrained
disposition, she became strangely i'm
pulsive with the excitement Of motion.
When they ceased and went together
into the conservatory she was beaming
with gladness.
How pleasant" she exclaimed.
"Ah. it makes me feel as II l were a
girl again. and thought Of nothing but
friendship and ilowcrsp'
Ho was amused at her assumption OF
maturity.
Really" he said. with a SLY irony.
you bear yonr age wonderfully; you
are remarkably well preserved.
She laughed at the odd banter Of his
tone.
do you really think me so youngp'
she asked little piqued.
''Ah." he said with a languisbing
look. 'you are as young as the un-
iolding lily, rs young rs the rosebud
at dawn"
THAT is true" she said demurely.
my mother has often told me that
Iwas born young"
Very soon she rclapscd into her
mood OF silence. After all. he thought
her better thus. As she clsag to his
arm she brought him dreams of his
boyhood. when he had cared for one as
lovely as she. perhaps but not so long
forgotten. They walked out into the
hall aud asccnded the central stair
way, where they could overlook the
dancers beneath. He leaned his head
against the bauslrade. She sat clasp
ing her knee aud gazing ut him alb
stractcdly. She was under the straug gc-
ly imaginative influence OF the mas
querade. Perhaps 1t was just this
very dream influence that pleased him
SO, for is not all llfriendsbip. all passion,
dream? Certain 1t was that as they
sat together. strangers though they
were. there was perfect understands
ing between them--so perfect. indeed.
tnat Tor long Time hcitner spoke or
wished to speak.
He had been watching the gay move
ments OF tho quatlrillc. The motley
dancers in the parlors beneath wove
in aud out in turmoil Of movement
aud color. lie felt peculiarly isolated
among such mirth and gayety. A
stranger in strange land is not half
so lonely as stranger in the home OF
his people.
| Al last. rs IL recalling his fancies. he
turned and said. fixing his gaze upon
Ser mask: Il am so glad that came
as Ingomar."
She was listening. but did not mind
his words. Perhaps II was the rich
strength OF his voice that caught her
ear.
because. you SEQ. my costume priv
iiegcs me to devote myself 10 Parthe-
MIA"
She seemed pleased ut this aud re-
pcatcd; II have enjoyed our dances
very much"
'.And may have the waltz after the
uumaskingp' no said. smiling at the
naivette Of her remark. because.
you see. rs yet have known only
Parthenia. And !. too. have enjoyed
our dances."
| She shock her head softly. mo,
] shall 60 home I@fors The unuiask'
''s"