The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1894-10-24

man of intense earnestness, laboring under
some great sorrow which he was bravely
struggling to repress just that sort OF
character calculated to awaken interest in
the soul of romantic maiden.
A large staircase wound down from
above and touched the floor few steps be-
yond him.
A hush suddenly seemed to come over the
noisy hall, and Fairfax, all at once, became
aware of the fact that some person or per-
sons were looking at him.
Have you never felt that you were being
watshed' So he, then, felt and glanced
quickly upward to discover who was observ
ing him
Had it not been for his self-control, he
would have started violently. AS it was,
great wave of color surged over his face,
and he quickly looked down again, half turn
ing his back to the staircase to hide his con-
fusion.
Coming down with stately steps and lean
ing on the arm of the Marquis, courtly old
gentleman of perhaps eighty was Natalie,
gazing steadfastly with her great earnest
eyes at Fairfax.
Her figure was encased in a superbly-fit-
ting dress Of ream-color. In her right hand
yellow; WHILE above her lovely brow, fast
ened among those dark tresses, glittered
golden star, from whose center pure dia-
mond shot forth brilliant rays, reflected
from the myriad lights below.
The old Marquis, with powdered white
hair and cue, knee-breeches and antique
buckles, and talking to her with the name
less grace Of the French school, while he
carried her long cloak on his free arm,
made, with her. so charming picture as
they came slowly and with graceful dignity
down the steps, that every body uncon-
sciously ceased conversing to gaze admir-
ingly upon the pair.
1t was just at this moment that Fairfax
CHANGED to look up and catch her eye upon
him. She, too, seemed a little confused at
being detected in gazing so tlxcdly at a
stranger, and, flushing slightly, turned to
her escort and asked him some impromptu
question.
Lady Lydia, his watchful companion, per-
ceived the confusion on the part of Fairfax
with evident surprise, and said, quickly:
"Ahl you have already met my friend, the
Princess, thenw
Rarely thrown off his guard, and wonder
fully quick ut recovering himself, he an
swered, slowly and quietly:
"You are mistaken. If you refer to the
lady coming down the stairs, never saw
her before this evening"
This was quite true, for it was after six
o'clock, when she was watering her horse
at the pool
Not so easily forced to retreat, Lydia de-
tcrmined to follow up her attack with n
coup d. etat. Easily and gracefully slipping
her arm through his, she remarked
''Let me present you, then"
Was it intuition, timidity or a feeling that
the Princess was a being from another
world and must be worshiped at a dis
lance -what was it that caused Fairfax to
start back with look of alarm and hastily
exclaim:
"No Please do not do that"
He saw his error Immediately, as did
Lydia. Smiling sarcasticllly, sho re-
marked, in ironical tones:
''You appear to be extremely disturbed ut
the idea of meeting a mere stranger, Mr..
Fairfax; and one so attractive, too"
Just here the Warehouses entered from
an adjoining room and, seeing the Princess
prepared for departure, FASTENED toward
her. saying:
"Surely, my dear Natalie, you arc not
going, without, at least, one song | have
stopped the waltz for the express purpose
of hearing you sing"
Smiling swcetly, her charming guest re
Piled
Certainly, if you wish it, but it must be
only one"
Going to the piano, the Princess played a
few soft chords and began her song.
Since the fatal moment every occurrence
had been so opportrnc, so peculiarly and
strangely appropriate, that it seemed tc
Fairfax as if he were in Q land Of cnchant
ment. or dreaming. But six hears had
elapsed since he had seen, only for mo-
nent. and become hclplessly Fascinated
with the most lovely being he had ever be
held. Fortune had also willed it that he
should not only learn the name Of this fail
stranger IS wei IS the hauu-s OF her ar
tistic labors, but, also. should become the
present possessor Of certain valued belong