Marble Hill press., 1895-02-07

been reached. There was . sharp
click of the castanets and the first
bars Of the coming dance. 1t was the
Cachouca, and Lollipop was radiant.
1t was the dance she had most longed
to see. She hoped to do it herself
some day, perhaps, and here was a
rare chance for seeing how it might
be done. Though of course" Lolli-
pop reflected, every dancer has her
own ideas. sun and Moons may not
be just like mine, but how interesting
it will be-"
Now Sun and Moon, in white and
gold, walked on to the stage very
quietly, but she walked like god
dess should. She came forward to the
footlights and acknowledged the
greeting of the house. She smiled a
little, and stepped back little, and
Lollipop saw that Sun and Moon was
beautiful. She felt, she couldn't tell
why. sudden. curious sinking at her
heart. She almost knew then how it
would be. In another moment she
! did know. absolutely.
Sun and Moon flung her arms up
ward. They were bare and rounded,
and the red castanets in her firm
white hands marked the rythm of the
dance. There was swift springing
motion, now forward now back, now
to one side, now to the other. the
lovely arms flung now over her head,
now swiftly lowered almost to the
ground. The supple waist. now
swaying, now bending backward,
forward: the rapid feet moving with
perfect precision. and underlying
every motion of the beautiful form
made one feel the sense of strength,
of vitality, the grace and power of
some wild creature bounding in the
freedom of the forest.
Sun and Moon threw her head back
ward and the white throat quivered
in the light. She tossed her arms
again and curved her wrists, bewitch-
ing coquetry in every gesture. She
invited, welcomed banished in
flash of time. She swept in swift.
graceful curves around the small
stage, like bird on wing; she
stopped in full fight, and on tip-toe
stood motionless, a vision of statu-
esque grace and sumptuous beauty.
every line delight to the eye: her
face was now that of a siren, now
that of a merry child. Was ever such
beauty, such matchless grace, such
poise, such art?
A few moments only-the dance
lasted 10 more-but Lollipop had
time to more than get point" to
learn whole lesson.
Sun and moon was recalled She
danced again. Then Lollipop rose.
Lets 60, Sam" she said
AS they went down the stairway
leading to the street, Sam spoke to
Lollipop and she turned upon him
with sharp exclamation.
keep quiet" said she.
whats the matter?" said he.
But Lollipop did not reply, at least,
not just then. But presently she
said slowly and in a strange voice:
Sam, I'm done. I'll never step on
a stage again.
Whats that for?" said Sam. 81
think l see you stop dancing
"Dancing" cried Lollipop. Dane.
ing. I've never danced I've cap.
cred. and hopped, and skipped, and
made a fool of myself: but as for
dancing! Don't talk to me, Sam Mar
tin. I'm done"'
Sam noticed then that her cheeks
were wet with tears, but he made no
comment, which showed him to be
possessed of little wisdom. Lolli-
pop bade him good night pleasantly
enough, and he decided that she must
have been tired.
A few days later Sun and Moon re.
ceived a package containing pair of
satin dancing shoes somewhat worn.
Notwithstanding the gift she was
highly offended and threw them
away; and thus ended Lollipops car
eer as dancer
She readily found employment as a
saleslady and does her very best to be
good one.-Kate Fields Washington.