Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-07-28

very temples
@Oh, has that fellow Ridgeway 10
sense whateverY" She continued, with I'LL
wOmans horror of ali interrupted love
scene. for at the instant Ridgeway had
darted forth, watch III hand, with tri-
ulnphant shout: '.Timei My halfr'
And without word, with one swift
upward glance into Brewster's longing
eyes-a glance fairly brimming over
with meaning Winifred released hcr-
self from the half encircling arm ana
placed her hand on Ridgeway's sleeve.
Another moment and she was being
whirled away under the guidance Of a
very different partner
Miss Berrien's fan, said Brewster.
bowling a moment later before her
mother. II was charged to place it in
your hands His heart was beating
high. The music seemed thrilling.
throbbing through his veins. He longed
to hold forth both hands and say: Read
my secret. Know my heartl love her.
oh, love her. But there sat Mrs. Van
Ness, the bankers wife, with broad sym
pathy and approval glowing in her good
natured face.
'Ah, Mr.. Brewster, ii wasn't easy ID
give up half that dance-was It, now
Why do you do such things in the
army.
"There were only four waltzes, Mrs.
Van Ness, smiled Mrs. Berrien. t.Mr.
Brewster had had one and had claimed
this, and Mr.. Ridgeway had had none At
all, and Winifred and I both thought he
ought not to be denied entirely It is
the only round dance he knows
Saying no word. Brewster had dropped
behind Mrs. Berrien's chair.
"He doesn't know that any too well.
said Mrs. Van Ness to herself. Where
could lie have learned ID danceY' Tie
iloor was crowded at the moment and
unusually slippery, so that reversing or
avoidance Of collision was rendered the
more difficult even for experts. Twice
had Ridgeway bumped into somebody OF
other without grievous disaster, but now,
as luck would have it, came catastrophe.
In tile effort to check himself sudden
II just as he seemed shooting into con
tact with slender light battery man
whom he could not have touched had he
tried, the young fellows feet flew frola
under him. Left to herself, Winifred
would no more have fallen than bird.
Drowning men clutch at straws and
poor, rich Ridgeway's instant impulse
on feeling himself going was to clasp
her the tighter, dragging her with him
in his ignominious crash. His tumble
was bad enough, though he was unhurt,
but hers was worse. With violent shock
her head struck the polished floor and
the room swan around. A dozen men
flew To aid her, but Brewster seemed to
have seen it coming. He leaped through
the air and, bending over the PROSTATE
Ridgeway, had her up in his strong
arms and over at the window before
another hand could touch her.
"Quick, Hunt, some water lie or
dered. his teeth firmly set. Then how
his eyes sofrened as Tie looked down into
her pdllid face. -Oh. my darling. Inv
daFlingr lie murmured in that little.
shell like ear; and then, with wild anx-
iety IN her eyes, Mrs. Berrien burst
through the sympathetic circle
1t was all over in moment. The
music never ceased. She was stunned
only for All instant, and then, though
Mrs. Berrien would have interp0scd.
like the little heroine she was. Winifred
was on her feet and holding ont her hand
to poor. bewildered. miserable Ridge
way.
"But come, we must finish the dance,
she said. and in SO saying riveted the
chains Of his serfdom.
III wouldn't dance with him again,
:said Mrs. Vance, who had an opinion To
express on every subject why, he
almost broke her head.
IF she didn't she'd break his heart,
Mrs. Vance" was old Kenyons reply, as
ne watched the scene. THAT girls a
lady"
Am not to be hOn0red tonight, Mr..
Brewster said low voice i'll his ear
rs lie stood silent, anxious, preoecupied
by Mrs. Belriens side, his eyes follow
ing Winifred about the room. The very
intonation made him turn cold
Il beg your pardon, Mrs. Knowles; I
saw only moment ago that you We're
here
She was leaning On her husband : arm.
Not half bad fellow If he il a blind
fool. said those of his own sex who
knew him. Years her senior, he was
yet her slave. Witness his coming out
from town this late November night
solely 1T her behest to attend d dance to
which neither was bidden
.Ah, | wonder YOU saw at all, INV
friend, with that fision before your
eyes; and presume that was why you
had no time to come in person with youi
invitation"
mo invitations are sent out for these
little dances, Mrs. Knowles
There, there, lin not going to MP
braid You here. Mr. Knowles, wunltl
you ret me "A glass Of water. hr. Brew
ster, viii you not present me to Mrs.
Berrien? We have exchanged calls. but
have not yet had the pleasure
What could he do2 The request was
as audible to Mrs. Berricn as to him.
and. even AZ she spoke, Mrs Knowles
passed around ia front Of him Sd AZ al
most to face the majors wife. taking
the introduction As a matter Of course.
He glanced appealingly at Mrs Berrien
as he mulmured the name. He blessed
her in his heart of hearts for the calm
courtesy with which she greeted the
local celebrity lie bit lis lips with
yexation at Mrs. Knowles very first
words:
II could not resist the longing 10
know You, Mrs Berrien, for | am utter
~ lost in admiration of your lovely
daughter She, daring to speak of one
SO pure. SO innocent, so utterly beyond
herl Turning impatiently away, lie en-
conntered Major Berrien's eyes fixed
upon him with look that was not good
to zee. He stepped forward, hoping to
explain, but BerTien, who had just en-
tered the room after an absence of over
half an hour, whirled sharply about.
plainly indicating that he did not wish
to speak This was bad enough lie
had ieen near the seventh heaven III
bliss. He had almost touched the gates
Of pearl Now they were rereding
through clouds and darkness, fading ia
the distance. But worse was to come.
Mrs Knowles had seated herself by
Mrs. Berrien's side, pouring forth rapid
compliment and confidence. The mnsic
had ceased. Ridyeway, with WinifreH
on his arm. was approaching slowly.
checked every moment by man "
woman. who begged to hear that she