New-York tribune., 1892-11-27
HAPPY CHANCE.

costly flowers, went and came the many NlsltoIs ,
scme arriving late, having dropped IN from other
assemble es Others departing TO look In AT fresh
scenes the music OF the band poured forth ITS
inviting rhins, and the swish ami tlampie OF feet
and the CAV laughter and voices Of the dancers,
horc testimony 10 the fact that the entertainment
suCc' s.
In tire open doorway, lounged man, lie was
not dancing: from b!s cool utterly unrul-
He'd appearance. and the absorbed cXpress on
of his counteIIa nee, he had not joined -"
eddy throng for some & tine in ,drod IL " hasa. aii
intensely weary air. adopted by the generality OF
his s.N NOWADAYS There was a concentrated look
on his face, and his dark eyes were nNea win win
unswcr,ing gaze vOn the brilliant moving throng.
Now and again sudden light flashed from them
that irradiatcd his' quiet features IKE quicN
CLEAN of SUNLIGHT on the still, dark waters OF a
lake as his head turned to follow some one A.
that some one passed from his vision, vanishing
in the crowd of terpsf1horcan devotces, 50 dii the
brightness pass from hs face, ledNlhS IL shadoWeu
and composed ne befOIe
You are not dancing Mr.. Fanshawe, said the
voice of his hostess at his elbow, as she IghtlY
tanned his arm with her plumed fan From
cbnica is IL or do YOU wish for intrOductiOns
Rnt perhaps. she added with a slight smile, "you
are like the Of the male sex, too done up iof
mo LADY Claverton," he said. bending his tall
head toward her am honestly not in the humor
and | am engaged for one more. That Is all
"You have come here, then, Just for those two
dances 2" she said in rteresedly. Will the second
waltz be with your first partner?
Yes" he replied simply, with my only
partner" -. 49,
anu II must tell you, Mr.. Fanshawc-B -Bruce-7let me
call YOU so, have known you 80 long, ana nave
cauced Your sccrct--nar do not look So-so-S'aud-
ofish | was going 20 say. ] am Vour Trend, ana
must tell you lust this MIS- DaImalhe aims hlSh
and means 10 be the mothcr-ln.laW 0f-WcH she
thinks her dauchtcrs head Just the right shape for
a cOronet. -, c,.-o,
Forewarned IS forGarmcI and and NE T you
Bruce. and I also like Hone Dalmalne There, L
viii say no more perhaps ! have s1id too much
if so, forgive me Now mast 90.
A few minutes later. with eager lace ana glow
inc eyes prLce FaUShaWc was threading his
way throurh the maze, en- and on down
the long room, I'LL he reached the further
mariner leaned beside her, idly talking
10 and tanning her Her eyes were on her lap
seemingly intent upon the pattern OF her Draceiet,
but the rich color slowly mounting to her
dainty. rounded checks. and faint tremor-thc
sure sign Of conScio SnesS-passcd over her
She knew who was drawing near, and, try as
she wonld. the blood would bound through her
veins with delicious TapdIty, ana the pulsa'lOhs
" The next is ours think, Miss Dalmaine''
said n voice beside her.
She rose held out her hand for her fan, bowed
20 her late partner and laid the other on the new
comer's arm. The swift blush had deepened TO
richest pink now
Together they passed out of the ballroom i, int
the cool dimy 2hted peyOma tSan S
words That they unders ood each other was evil
dent for their steps turned IN the same 6lrec'lol
down the quiet path away anaO 'ne saaHw sma onr %
tain threw up high columns Of water, which fell
again with musical splash into the basin around
it. That sound emed but TO intensity the seduc-
tive charm of the spot.
1t was an ideal retreat for lovers, and these
two were lovers, though az yet unconfesSed ones.
The girl was the first. ever % recover from
the strange spell which held them both. The
slight laugh which accompanied her remark
savoured more Of nervousness than of mirth, as
she said .
DO you mean to dance with me here Mr..
FanShawe ?"
IT did not think of dancing Miss Dalmaine
Would you rather do so, or do you mind very much
if I ask you to sit this waltz ont with me ~
II is certainly very hot and crowded in there"
noddng her dainty head backward in the di-
recton of the ballroom, as she halieyaded hls
question.
say TO you tonight, Miss Dalmaine will find
fhing'" '''
further, watched her settle herself in the low
lounge and then dropped into his scat beside
her. As he had arranged il they were completely
hidden from view He lcare1 forward with his
arms resting along his knees, and hs hands toy
ing with the ribbons of her gown. But he did
rot speak for time. Family reached them the
slow soothing notes Of one Of IOwthan's dreamy
vases minglng with the clearer drip, drip Of
the water.
How lovely the palm-trees are" she said at
last pntting out one white-glOved hand TO stroke
the glossy leaves of plant rear 70 her.
"Yes," he answered abstractcdly. Miss Dai-
The GIRL knew what was coming His eyes
had spokcn what his tongue as Yet had failed TO
saw. and sudden desire TO postpore the bliss
ful and vet dreaded moment assailed her
They look beautiful, here, she went on
clingng still to the safe subject of the palms,
even as her hand clung as If for assurance 70 us
smooth broad foliage, but just ima2ine how, iar
more lovely they must look in their own place,
waving, waving about in the breeze under the glowing
Would you ike to see them 9, i9 their natlTe We
her and letting his dark glowing. eyes rest on ler
face His expression added intensity to the
simple words s d SRe bosEward and
In tropical climes? Yes, ! should like to
travel. Have You done much in that way Mr.
Fanshawe ?" she asked: ,, ,,,o ,.,,o,,
il. enioying the delicious uncertainty of these
last few moments of freedom. me passion
moved face opposite her told her mat SOON IN
another infinite or two she would have ior ever
10 Law down her freedom and accept the DONNA
ton OF her master. Although the bondage IL
one she has sought and the cords are TOPS %,
desire 10 put off that moment of abdicatlon
ayes. have travelled TOO much, often think
for there is little fresh for me to see. nave
travelled too much alone. must try companions
For the life of her she could not control the
burning blush that spread from brow 70 chm.
and She stopped quickly TO examine the elitterng
buckle OF her tiny shoe that was peeplng out
from under the folds Of her satin gown.
II thought my buckle was broken" she said,
and even her voice betrayed now her nervousness.
"No" he said calmly, adjusting his cveqlass
and gazing intcntlv at the object under con
-ideration, "the buckle and shoe are perfect.
Shall add-and the foot that they adorn r.,
shawc,'' she said, land you told me one day
you had never paid any and did NOT know, how
TO make pretty speeches. For beginner, you
promise we'll"
HIS fare lighted up as he remarked that her
speech admitted memory Of his words.
There must he beginning some time. Mine
has come now have never felt any desire 20
make the attempt before
Oh, well, never mind speeches, tell me some
thico ahout these travels Of yours, broke in the