Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-08-24
THE SECOND DANCE.

lIs
who was introduced to me beforei How
do you come to this acquisition, IreneS'
Baroness Elelia asked of Countess Iren,
Balfur, the young hostess, in the ballroom
1T is very simple" replied the latter
"Dr. Stein is mineralogist He has beer
stopping down in the village for several
days to take advantage of our quarry fol
the purpose of his researches Papa be
came acquainted with him, and in conse
quence 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 q par with us.
He was artless enough to ask me for a
dance, the second quadrille-think of It'll
to ask me when promised the last extra a
week agol'
We'll, it seems he was not discouraged
by one refusal. l, too, have just declined
his invitation for the second quadrille. Be
sides, did not save the dance to give it to
this DR.. Stein''
A bevy of young ladies, all in dainty ball
gowns, gathered about Irene and Elelia. 1t
transpired to the amusement of them all
that DR.. Stein had been refused the same
second quadrille by each of them.
All declined on the same ground-that
they would not squander such a dance on
an uninteresting civilian without name or
rank.
What a deplorable contrast his appear
ance and that of the lieutenants of the
cuirassiers and officers of the hussars In the
ballrooml 1t would be ridiculous to dance
with such a man.
~ call that loyalty" said Irene. bravo,
.Rirlsl Now, my stepsister is the only one
left. There she is. / am really curious tc
know-Inez Do come here Did DIR. Stein
ask you for the second quadrillep she
asked Of the young lady approaching.
Eyes, just moment ago."
'And you gave him the dancer"
"Yes-why shouldn't IS''
"AhI l thought sol Then let me tell
you that you accepted after he had been re-
fused by us all for the same dance"
80 much the better that still had the
quadrille unengaged."
You are indescribably artless, or at least
you pretend to be So"
''If you purposely offended DIR. Stein,
am glad that can make some amends. He
Is papa's guest, and shall treat him as
such. Inez answered calmly and departed.
''Seel' said Irene to Elelia, 'she is just
as unbearable all the time-so different
from us.
Inez was the daughter of Count Balfur
by his first marriage with woman of linn
tied means. The second time he married
a countess of great wealth and the possess
or OF many estates.
Irene was the only child of this second
marriage and the sole heiress of her moth
er. Inez's prospects of an inheritance from
her father were not very brilliant, and con-
sequently at four and twenty she was still
unmarried 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 house
hold and took upon herself all the work,
which her stepmother disdained to do Be
sides, she found time for deep study and
intellectual work. The 18-year-old Irene, a
charming, brilliant creature, was the spoiled
darling 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, a distant relative. She did not
know him, but was sure he was extremely
wealthy and very peculiar. Instead of en-
joying life he was devoting himself to study
and research. seeking his sole recreation in
travelling around the world. Upon the ad-
vice OF the countess he fell In with her
plans, since, with his IS years, it was high
time to think Of marrying, as he wrote to
her.
The countess was expecting his arrival
at Kumerau castle in the near future with
intense interest She did not doubt that
Irene, with her irresistible charms. would
soon cure him Of his peculiarities and
change him to an enjoyable As well as
obedient husband.
why don't you dance. DIR. Steinf" asked
Irene sarcastically when she happened to
come upon him during an intermission- He
had been leaning meditatively In the recess
OF a window, not taking part In the dance
BECAUSE ! found no partner" be re-
torted. with queer smile.
TOO badl am afraid you will long fo- |
your stones and win find life among US un- |
bearable."
She looked down upon him and played
with her fan.
"And do you find the life you lead bear
able, eountessf"
What a singular question:
II should think a person Of your talent |
would not feel satisfied with Il. Grace, |
versatility, elegance and little wit are GER |
tainly necessary TO SUCCESSFULLY conduct |
these dances. hunts, lawn tennis and bill |
Hard games. playing charades and singing
duets. TO arrange social games and theat-
ricals. but no understanding. no inteliecL
nO self sacrificing activity-nOthing OF that
which makes the true worth 0f a human
being"
''Dr. Stein. not ali people are created 70
dig for minerals. 20 work leather or 70 in
vent machinery. We, tea. have our rights
We Aristocrats are the blossoms on the tree
Of civilization. ] grant you that what We
Ars with our refined taste, our hArnOni0us
physicai and spiritual culture and our en-
nobled humanity We owe 70 the work Of
esatar.s.. bat wears wholly thai which ths