Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-10-24

to a court ball at the palazzo Quir-
male. She would be looked upon as
one Of a questionable class, and no
matter how high her rank and station
would run the risk OF election
from the doors, as on one occasion
did unfortunately happen to an Eng
lish peeress, who, ignorant or ltaiian
customs, went to al evening reception
In Rome arrayed In a very low bodice
with straps instead Of sleeves. Her
remonstrances were vain; she was po-
litely but firmly refused admittance,
though told she might gain her point
by changing her costume, which l be-
lieye she wisely did
Some Of the grandes danes present
at the ball that night wore dresses
the like of which are seldom or never
seen out of Italy-robes sown with
Jewels, and thick with wondrous I'M
broldery, such as have been handed
down from generation to generation
through hundreds of years. AS an
example Of this, the Duchess Of Mar
ini's cloth of gold train, stitched with
small rubies and seed pearls, had for
merly belonged to the family Of Lor-
EMO de- Merici. Such garments as
these, when they are part of the prop
erty of a great house, are worn only
on particular occasions, perhaps once
in a year: and they are Laid carefully
by and sedulously protected from dust
and moths and damp, receiving as
much attention as the priceless pic
lures and books of a famous historical
mansion. Nothing ever designed by
n great modern tailor or milliner
can hope to compete with the magDi-
icent workmanship and durable ma
terial Of the fiesta dresses that are
locked previously away In the old oak
en- Golfers of the greatest Italian fami-
lies-dresses that are beyond valua-
ton because of the romances and ira
gedies attached to them, and which,
when worn, make all the costliest "trip
peries Of to-day look fimsy and paltry
beside them. like the attempts OF a
servant to dress as tastefully as her
mistress.
Such glitter OF gold and silver, such
scintillatioGs from the burning eyes
OF jewels such clOud-ike wreaths of
floating laces, such subtle odors of
rare and exquisite perfume, all things
that most keenly prick and stimulate
their senses We're round me in fullest
force this night-this one dazzling, SUI
preme and terrible night. that was
destined to burn into my brain like a
seal OF ~scorching fire. Yes: till l die
that night will remain with m as
though it were a breathing, sentient
thing; and after death, who knows
whether 1t may not uplift, itself in
some tangible awful shape. and con-
front me with it's flashing mock lus-
ire, and the black heart of it's true
meaning In its menacing eyes, to take
its drear place by the side Of my
abandoned soul through all eternity.
I remember now how I shivered and
started out OF the bitter reverie into
which l had fallen at the sound of
my wife's low laughing voice.
You must dance, Cesare," she said
with a mischievous smile. "You are
forgetting your duties. You should
open the ball with met"
| rose at once mechanically.
What dance is it?' 1 asked forcing
a smile. Il fear you will find me but
a clumsy partner"
She pouted.
"Oh, surely not! You are not going
to disgrace me?-you really must try
and dance properly just this once. 1t
will look so stupid IL you make any
mistake. The band was going to play
a quadrille; / would not have it, and
told them to strike up the Hungarian
waltz instead. But I assure you 1
shall never forgive you IL you waltz
badly-nothing looks so awkward and
absurd"
l made no answer but placed my
arm round her waist and stood ready
to begin. / avoided looking at her as
much as possible, for it was growing
more and more difficult with each
moment that passed to hold the mas
terry over myself. l was consumed
between hate and love. Yes, love-
Of an evil kind, l own. and I'm which
there was no shred OF reverence-fll-
ed me with a sort of foolish fury.
which mingled itself with another and
manlier craving, namely, to proclaim
her vileness then and there before all
her titled and admiring friends. and
to leave her shamed in the dust of
scorn, despised and abandoned. Yet I
knew well that were / to speak out,
to declare my history and hers be-
fore that that brilliant crowd-I should
be accounted mad, and that for n
woman such as she there existed no
shame.
The swinging measure of the slow
Hungarian waltz, that most witching
Of dances, danced perfectly only by
those Of the warm-blooded Southern
temperament, now commenced. 1t
was played pianissimo, and Stole
through the room like the fiuttering
breath of a soft eawind. | had al
ways been an excellent waltzer, and
my step had fitted in with that Of
Nina as tremendously as the two notes
Of a perfect chord. She found il SO on
this occasion, and glanced up with a
look of gratified surprise as I bore her
lightly with languornus, dream Ike
ease of movement through the glitter
ing ranks OF u guests, who watched
US a~dmiringly as we circled the room
two Or three times.
Then all present followed oud lead,
andin a couple of minutes the ballroom
was like a moving fio~wer-Garden in fuIl
bloom, rich with swaying colors and
fainbe@-lika radiance; while the music,
growing stronger and swelling out in