The Portland daily press., 1893-04-29

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him walking up and down and every
now and then chuclzling to himself, and
that night he talked to her good deal
about dancing and dancing men, asked
what they usually said and did, what
dances were most popular, what steps
were gone through, with many other
questions bearing on the subject.
"Then for couple of weeks he kept
much to his factory and was very
thoughtful and busy, though prone at
unexpected moments to break into a
quiet, low laugh, as if enjoying joke
that nobody else knew of.
"a month later another ball took place
in Furtwangen. On this occasion it was
given by old Wenzel, the wealthy tim
Der merchant, to celebrate his niece's be-
trothal, and Geibel and his daughter
were again among the invited.
when the hour arrived to set out,
Olga sought her father. Not finding him
in the house she tapped at the door of
his workshop. He appeared in his shirt
sleeves, looking hot but radiant.
Don't wait for me- he said; you go
on; I'll follow you. I've got something
to finish
Gas she turned to obey he called her.
Tell them I'm going to bring young
man with me-such nice young man,
and an excellent dancer. All the girls
will like him. Then he laughed and
closed the door.
"Her father generally kept his doings
secret from everybody, but she had a
pretty shrewd suspicion of what he had
been planning, and SO to certain extent
she was able to prepare the guests for
what was coming. Anticipation ran
high, and the arrival of the famous
mechanist was eagerly awaited.
Sat length the sound Of wheels was
heard outsids, followed by great COM
motion in the passage, and old Wenzel
himself, his jolly face red with excite
ment and suppressed laughter, burst in
to the room and announced in stentorian
tones:
"'Herr Geibel-and friend
"Herr Geibel and his friend entered,
greeted with shouts Of laughter and ap-
plause, and advanced to the center of the
room.
"'Allow me, ladies and gentlemen
said Herr Geibel, 'to introduce you to
my friend, Lieutenant Fritz. Fritz, my
dear fellow, bow to the ladies and gen
tlemen.'
'sGeibel placed his hand encouragingly
on Fritz's shoulder, and the lieutenant
bowed low, accompanying the action
with harsh clicking noise in his throat
unpleasantly suggestive of death rat
tie. But that was only detail.
"'He walks little stiffiy' Old Giebel
took his arm and walked him forward
few steps. He certainly did walk stiff
ly. But, then, walking is not his forte.
He is essentially dancing man. I have
only been able to teach him the waltz as
yet, but at that he is faultless. Come,
which of you ladies may introduce him
to as partner? He keeps perfect time;
he never gets tired; he won't kick you or
tread on your dress; he will hold you as
firmly as you like and go as quickly or
as slowly as you please; he never gets
giddy, and he is full Of conversation.
Come, speak up for yourself, my boy
''The old gentleman twisted one of the
buttons at the back of the coat, and i'm
mediately Fritz opened his mouth and
in thin tones that appeared TO proceed
from the back of his head remarked
suddenly, May have the pleasure? and
then shut his mouth again with snap.
''That Lieutenant Fritz had made
strong impression on the company was
undoubted, yet none of the girls seemed
inclined to dance with him. They looked
askance at his waxen face, with its star
ing eyes and fixed smile, and shuddered.
At last old Geibel came to the girl who
had conceived the idea.
s''It is your own suggestion carried
out to the letter. said Geibel, IAN cleo
trio dancer. You owe it to the gentle
man to give him trial
"She was bright, saucy little girl,
fond of frolic Her host added his en-
treaties, and she consented.
''Herr Geibel fixed the figure to her.
Its right arm was screwed round her
waist and held her firmly; its delicately
jointed left hand was made to fasten it.
self upon her right The old toymaker
showed her how to regulate its speed
and how to stop it and how to release
herself.
"'It will take you round in COM
plete CIRCLE he explained. BE careful
that no one knocks against you and al
ters its course
''Then the music struck up. Old Gel
bel put the current in motion, and An
nette and her strange partner began to
dance.
"For awhile every one stood watching
them. The figure performed its purpose
admirably. Keeping perfect time and
step, and holding its little partner tightly
clasped in an unyielding embrace it re-
volved steadily, pouring forth at the
same time constant flow of squeaky
conversation, broken at brief intervals
of grinding silence.
How charming you are looking to-
nightp it remarked in its thin, faraway
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