Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-02-07
CHAPTER ".

Unless a man is a boor it is impossible
for him to do just as he pleases at a social
gathering. While l stood watching Mar
garet and Rodney, who had not yet seen
each other. l felt a light touch on my arm.
Turning, / met the smiling glance Of my
hostess.
"Let me fnG you n partner for the
c%otillon," she said. "As one of the best
dancers in the city. we cannot spare you"
l was far from being pleased with her
suggestion, but l saw at once that there
was no escape. A few moments later,
therefore, / was seated beside Il vapid
young woman, who seemed to feel that
she had secured a prize. She smiled and
Chartered in a way which chilled me and
convinced me that her current and mine
would never flow in the same direction.
Margaret, with the same blase youth by
her side, was seated near the head Of the
line. Rodney, who did not dance. stood
in the shadow of a portiere at the end of
the room.
This is going to be a delightful ger
man." simpered my partner.
Il fear so-if can't prevent it," / an
swered, absently. looking toward Rodney.
"Why, what do you mean?" she asked.
"Oh, excuse me. l didn't quite catch
your remark. Yes, yes, you are right"
I felt that the girl was wondering at my
strange demeanor, and so drew myself to-
gether and paid s~tricter attention to her
ceaseless talk. But l could not get my
mind off the drama which was passing be-
fore my eyes. l knew that Rodney was
watching Margaret and myself, and I
could not discover whether my fiance had
seer either me or my rival. She had not
looked toward me and she seemed to be
unconscious of Rodney's presence.
What a beautiful girl is Margaret
Durand," remarked my vis-a-vis. rather
e%nviously.
"Yes, and he knows it,"
"He? Who?"
"He. They. Anybody. Everybody.
See!"
Again my partner gazed at me in sur
prise. She had begun to think that / had
been taking too much wine, l suspect, for
her high spirits suddenly deserted her.
The orchestra at that ome struck
up a waltz and the c%otillon had begun.
Margaret and her partner sat next to the
leaders. and soon afterward I was dane
ing with my fiance, who had Loyalty given
me her first favor.
"Why haven't you spoken to me?' she
whispered.
"Why are you here" I returned.
Because / wanted just one last dance
before I was laid on the SHELF" she an
swered, rebelliously. won't you for
give mel"
"Of course 1 will" And I drew her a
bit closer than the etiquette of the waltz
strictly warrants.
At that instant we passed the p~ortiere
at the end of the room.
Good heavens! there's Mr.. Rodney"
exclaimed Margaret. in an agitated tone.
Didn't you tell him what you promised
to?'
YES; and it wasn't an easy bit of work,
either"
As l left her ut her seat I saw that she
was quite pale and l returned to my place
forebodingly.
why is it that some men dance so
much better than others?' asked my part
ner, who had just been waltzing with a
clumsy youth.
Currents, / suppose" was my reckless
reply.
Fortunately it was our turn to dance at
that moment, and I managed to escape
the worst effects my random answer
might have produced.
''Ch. there's Mr.. Rodney mt the end Of
the ROOM" exclaimed Miss Loquacious
when we were again seated. "He's such
a striking looking man. / have only met
him once, but l was fascinated with him.
It's too bad he doesn't dance"
"He does" / said. "He dances on men
and women"
What a queer man you are" exclaimed
my puzzled partner.
AZ the german went on l began to hope
that my vague fears regarding Rodnev'l