Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1895-05-30
| have not seen him this

His professional services were re-
quired, and he went from here but
a moment since, wishing to be re.
membered to you and yout hus-
band answered Cora.
Il am sorry he is not with Z
said Mrs. Winter. lie is such
mirthful disposition and his gayety
is so infectious, it 10 not possible
that dullness reign where he is.
But, my dear Cora, | came near
forgetting my errand. Ny sister
wishes to see you in her room, for
some important reason, presume, :
smiling. Il trust Dir. Lloyd will
excusc your absence . few moments.
Certainly replied that gentle.
man.
As Cora retired, Mrs. Winter re-.
Marked
III Mr.. Lloyd will give me his
arm | shall be delighted to present
him to some of my guests, that he
may not feel a stranger in strange
place.
Thank you,' said Mr.. Lloyd,
and they started to make tour of
the rooms.
For long time Cora found no
opportunity for further converse
tion with him, though she frequent
ly saw him at q little distance from
herself, and always surrounded by
group of ladies and gentlemen,
who seemed deeply interested in
what he was saying. But when the
orchestra struck up one of Strauss's
waltzes he came to her and said,-
Shall have the pleasure of this
waltz with you?'
'If you wish,' she replied.
What u waltz it was OF all the
gentlemen with whom she had ever
danced, no one had equalled her
present partner. His every motion
was so easy, so full of grace. II
did not appear to her that she
touched the floor, bat rather that
she was lifted up and floated through
the air. Unconsciously she allow
ed her head to drop upon his shoul-
was such sense of ecstasy. she
scarcely dared to breathe, lest it be
dispelled and when the music
ceased, she was so dazed she could
not speak.
May / have the next waltz with
you, Miss Benton p he asked, as
he seated her. 1T is my favorite
Dance
'Oh, yes y was the response, with
an emphasis that expressed more
than was intended.
In the colloquy that ensued be-
tween them she learned that he
had been an extensive traveller in
foreign lands and he delineated
what he had seen abroad in such
vivid, brilliant, picturesque Ian
guage as brought it almost before
her eyes. Never, previously, had
she met SO interesting's converse
tionalist, and she readily compre-
hended why the others whom she
had seen conversing with him had
listened SO attentively.
Excuse me for interrupting you,
love- said Mrs. Winter, drawing
near, but there is ar almost uni
versal desire on the part of my
guests that you sing. Will you
favor us?'
Certainly replied Cora; and,
remembering what DIR. Abercombie
had said of his musical attainments,
she turned to Mr.. Lloyd with,
will you be SO good as to play my
accompaniment
with pleasure, 10 the best of my
ability he answered; and, rising,
he escorted Cora to the piano, scat.
ing himself at the instrument.
| Selecting piece of music, she
placed it before him; and his pre-.
lude at once convinced her the doc
tors laudations of his technique
were fully warranted. When she
finished her song there was lively
encore.
Perhaps you will sing with me,
she said to Mr.. Lloyd, soto voice
"A duett will be novelty at thes.
soirees, where my singing has con
stituted most OF the. vocal music
and the change will, am certain
be agreeable to the rest Of the com
pany, as assuredly it will be to me.
Il am not professional singer
by any MEANS he replied, smiling
and in so low tone his words wer,
! not audihle to any saxa Cora sh.,