Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-10-14
THE SECOND QUADRILLE,

THE SECOND QUADRILLE.
"Who is that uninteresting Dr. Stein
who was introduced to me before:
How do you come to this acquisition,
Ircne!" Baroness Elelia asked of COun-
tess Irene Balfur, the young hostess,
in the ballroom
1T is very simple" replied the lat
ter. "Dr. Stein is a mineralogist. He
has been stopping down in the village
for several days to take advantage of
our quarry for the purpose of his re
searches. Papa became acquainted
with him, and in consequence of his
usual cordiality he has brought this
baser mineral among our set of select
precious stones.
This plebeian pebble, however,
seems to consider himself quite on
par with us. He was artless enough
to ask me for dance the second quad
rlle-think of tito ask me when /
promised the last extra a week ago!'
well, it seems he was not discour-
aged by one refusal; l, too, have just
declined his invitation for the second
quadrille Besides, l did not save the
dance to give it to this DR.. Stein!'
A bevy of y&lng ladies, all in dainty
ball gowns, gathered about Irene and
Elelia. 1t transpired, to the amuse-
ment of them all, that DR.. Stein had
been refused the same second quad
rule by each of them.
All declined on the same ground
that they would not squander such Il
dance on an uninteresting civilian
without name or rank.
What a deplorable contrast between
his appearance and that of the lieuten-
ants of the CuirasSierS and officers of
the HusSars in the ballroom! 1t would
be ridiculous to dance with such a
man.
Il call that loyalty" said Irene
Bravo! girls! Now my stepsister is
the only one left. There she is! l am
really curious to know-Inez! Do
come here! Did DR.. Stein ask you for
the second quadrille? she asked Of
the young lady approaching.
Yes, just Il moment ago"
And you gave him the dancer?
'Yes-why shouldn't ~
"Ah! l thought so. Then let me tell
you that you accepted after he had
been refused by us all for the same
dance"
80 much the better that l still had
the Quaurllle unenSaSeQ.
You are indescribably artless, or at
least you pretend to be So"
IF you purposely offended DR.. Stein
l am glad that l can make some
amends. He is papa's guest, and l
shall treat him rs such," Inez answer
ed, calmly, and departed
''See!' said Irene to Elela, 'She is
Just as unbearable all the time, so diff
ferent from u.s."
lnez was the daughter of Count Bal
fur by his first marriage with a woman
of limited means. The second time he
married a countess of great wealth
and the poSsessor of many estates.
Irene was the only child of this sec
ond marriage and the sole heiress of
her mother. Inezs prospects of an
inheritance from her father We're not
very brilliant, and consequently, at
four and twenty, she was still unmar-
ried, in spite Of her winning ways and
extraordinary amount of common
sense, which had soon influenced her
to Jealous activity.
She was at the head of the large
household and took upon herself all the
work which her stepmother disdaincd
to do. Besides, she found time for
deep study and intellectual work. The
eighteen-year-old Irene, charming,
brilliant creature, was the spoiled dar-
ling of her mother and of society.
She tyrannized her father and the
entire household. The Countess had
begun to make a match between her
and Prince Ysenloh, distant relative.
She did not know him, but was sure
that he was extremely wealthy and
very peculiar. Instead of enjoying
a tn or, IL,
and to research, seeking his sole re-
creation in travelling around the
world. Upon the advice of the Coun-
tess he fell in with her plans, since,
with his thirty-five years, it was high
time to think of marrying, as he wrote
to her.
The Countess was expecting his ar
rival at Kumerau Castle in the near
future with intense interest She did
not doubt that Irene, with her irrcsis-
tible charms, would soon cure him of
his peculiarities and change him to an
enjoyable as well as obedient husband.
Why don't you dance, DR.. Stein p
asked Irene, sarcastically, when she
happened to come upon him during an
intermission. He had been leaning
meditatively in the recess of window,
not taking part in the dance.
Because found no partner" he re-
torted, with queer smile.
TOO bad! l am afraid you will long
for your stones and will find life
among us unbearable"
She looked down upon him and play
ed with her fan.
And do you find the life you lead
bearable, Countess"
What a singular question:
Il should think a person of your tai
cnt would not feel satisfied with it.
Grace, versatility, elegance and a little
wit are certainly necessary to success
fully conduct these dances, hunts.
lawn tennis and billiard games, playing
charades and singing duets, to arrange
social games and theatricals, but no
understanding, no intellect, no self
sacrificing activity-nothing of that
which makes the true worth of hui
man being"
DR.. Stein, not all people are created
to dig for minerals, to work leather or
to invent machinery. We, too, have
our rights. We aristocrats are the
blossoms on the tree of civilization |
grant you that what we are, with our
refined taSta orr harmonious Dhvsicol