The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-01-17

''Mlss ArmadaIe snels here. she
is my guest this summer, returned Miss
Eliot with calm surprise.
"True. Mr.. Craig mentioned your
names. had just come in by the train
as YOU drove to the station" persisted
Forsyth.
81 know. We were forewarned of
your arrival. of course, on account OF this
dinner"
..Craig and / are old friends" said
Forsyth vaguely.
IF Miss Eliot had been very brilliant
herself she would have wondered per-
haps that Victor Forsyth, of whom she
had heard so much, did not appear more
brilliant. She was rather relieved at
his quiet way. She had already said to
herself: 'sHe is very nice fellow. No
one would suspect he was worth half a
million. Now" She added mentally,
cit will be pity if he, too, is going daft
over Hope Armadale. She has destroyed
Alan's peace of mind, and that is enough.
though he is such firt.
The dinner went on; Forsyth had no
longer but one idea. It was to gain an
other look at the enchanting face that
had apI cared and disappeared. Furtive,
almost feverish, he watched the end Of
the table. He could see that Craig had
eyes and thoughts only for the lady be-
side him. At times moody look came
over his handsome face which Forsyth
never remembered to have seen there
| before. But Miss Armadale did not
come fairly within range again.
When they rose from the table For
syth had but one motive. It was to get
presented to Miss Armadale. For that
reason he devoted himself to Lucille
Eliot as the most likely means Of ac-
complishing his purpose. But Craig and
Miss Armadale had disappeared from
the drawing room. Forsyth thought
the figure in the long white cloak which
passed and repassed the windows on
Craig's arm was she, but he had no ex-
cuse for joining them.
Presently there was strong touch on
the keyboard of the piano, gliding into
q measured waltz. The servants were
rolling up the long rugs that covered
the hardwood floors, and setting the
chairs against the wall. Some one was
inviting Miss Eliot to waltz. She ex-
cused herself to Forsyth, and he re-
manned standing watching the door.
Two or three couples were moving to
slow waltz time up and down the floor.
Forsyth's attention was caught by some
one clapping their hands together smart
ly and calling out in peremptory way,
'sFaster!"
It was Hope Armadale. She and Craig
had entered by a side door, and stood
together at the extreme end Of the long
room. She had a bunch of blue violets
in her bosom, which Forsyth was sure
she had not worn at dinner. Had she
just accepted them from Craig? Was
he her lover? he was placing his arm
about her waist. Forsyth had never
before seen poetry" in woman's mo-
tion. His senses swan as Hope Arma-
dale came flying past him.
'sFor PHYS sake, Mr.. Victor Forsyth,
have you left your manners in Ger
many? Don't you see there aren't
dancing men enough to go round:" It
was Clare Craig in blue wrap and silver
| bangles, who had come up to him un-
perceived.
.But, Miss Clare-I don't waltz
ridiculous. Gomez" She seized his
hand. ..Hold me tighter. You are a
great deal too tall for me"
'No matter. We are getting on all
right
! ssOf course we are"
"And-when you are through with
me, won't you introduce me to the tall
est lady in the room?"
!; "The tallest lady, Hope Armadale?
"Yes."
'sOf course will, just to tease Alan.
SIS" - Forsyth's heartbeats almost
choked hints Alan engaged to Miss
A-madale:''
.'He'd like to be-.
Forsyth could have hugged the eltish
; Clare for the comfort Of her saucy
words.
"Come," she said, suddenly stopping
midway in a revolution, disengaging
herself and catching her small hands
around her partners arm. "Alan has
gone for her cloak or something. Now
is your chance. Mr.. Forsyth wants to
waltz with you, Hope, because you're
TALL" she went on, all in breath. II
don't show him off enough" she was
saying. Then her hands were unclasped,
and she was gone.