The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-16


70 Justify the ball being given, and q
number Of celebrities were present.
Outside it was dull and chilly, with q
thick yellow fog pervading the atmos-
phere, but within the ballroom it was
like fsiryland with the brilliant light of
the lamps, the profusion Of bright flowers,
and the gay dresses worr by the ladies.
The orchestra. hidden behind gorgeous
screen of tropical plants, was playing the
latest waltz, "A Friend Of Mine" and the
sigh and sob of the melody as it stole
softly through the room seemed to in
spire the dancers with voluptuous Ian
guor as they glided over the polished
floor. The soft frou-frou OF womens
dresses mingled with tie light laughter
of young girls and the whispered conf
dences Of their partners, while over all
dominated the haunting melody with its
weird modulations and suggestions OF
sensuous passion.
Near the door of the ball-ro ON a young
man of about thirty years of age was lean
ing against the wall in lazy attitude,
idly watching the dancers swinging past
him; but Judging from the preoccupied
EXPRESSION of his face his thoughts were
evidently far away. He was tai, dark
haired. with q short cut, well-trimmed
beard, piercing dark eyes, firmly COM
pressed mouth. and, judging from his
svarthy complexion together with Ger.
tain crisp curl in his hair, he evidt ntly
had some negro blood in his veins Sud-
denly he was aroused from his medita-
tions by a touch on his shoulder, and on
glancing up saw before him stout elder
" gentleman with white hair, rIddy
face, and rather Silenus cast Of coun-
tenance.
The one was Spenser Ellersby, only son
of wealthy West Indian planter, and
the other Horace Marion, q well-known
society man generally called The Town
Crier, from the feet that he knew all the
current scandals and retsiled them with
elaborate embellishments to his numerous
circle Of friends.
Hey! Ellersby, my boy, said The Town
Crier, on the alert to acquire new infor-
nation, have you come back once more
to England, home and beauty-hey? Been
all over the world, suppose. hey? Going
to publish book of travels, hey?"
Not me, replied Ellersby, in the slow,
languid manner habitual to him; every
one who goes half dozen miles nova
days publishes book of travels under
some fantastic title. prefer to be re-
nowned for not having done So"
Broke no new ground hey?"
NO" indifferently. Il haven't the in
stincts Of Columbus, so the old ground
was good enough for me. I've done Afri-
ca in superficial manner, called on our
American cousins, passed the same COM
pliment to our Australian ditto, in fact
done the usual thing with the usual re-
suit"
.uayI ubot'c fhaf2n
a "A sense Of being bored-I agree with
Voltaire to q certain extent, this is the
best of all possible worlds" but ono does
rs. little tired of it-however, ! have
satisfied Your curiosity, now return the
compliment. Two been away from Eng
land for two years, SO know nothing Of
life in town-come, unfold-tell me all
scandals, deaths, marriages, divorces, in
fact all the gossip of the hour.
- nv - ~ >n"nnation after Tho Town
Crier's own heart, SO ne launched out into
Q lorg description OF folly and fashion,
varied by sermons and scandal, which,
being spiced with little maliciousness,
proved quite an amusing discourse.
Ellersby listened in silence with quiet
smile on his lips, overy now and then
giving vent to an ejaculation as he heard
some special morsel CT news.
you ought to writo your memoirs, Mar
ton" no said. dryly; "thoy would be as
eossiping as Pcpys, as scandalous as De
Grammont, and as amusing as either,
but 90 on-anything more? Who arc the
new beauties?"
Hey! oh! one was here tonight. Lady
Ba'scombe."
what! old Balscom5e married. said
Ellersby in surprised tone. Il thought
he loved no one but himself-so!-and
who is the LADY,"
That's what every one wants to kncv,
. replied Marion, eagerly; he picked he:
mp dow in the country somewhere, but
she's got no pedigree-no money, no tai
snts-nothing but personal beauty"
Which is worth all the rest put together
10 q woman" interrupted Ellersby cynic-
ally. What is she like2"
Inc Town rler reeled on an auctloneer.
like description of her at once.
Tall, fair, blue eyes, beautiful COM
ple1ion, magnificent figure, and the devils
own TEMPER,
Nice set of qualifications. especially
the latter murmured Ellersby. Balls.