Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-09-17

II
-, ~ slblc to move in the
-! AoeS'. ball room. The char
\hNA lty on account Of which
"A the entertainment was
" being held was popu-
ar one, some great ladies had taken
nc thlyg up and made it success.
and n many of the men and nearly
MI th" gir's wero l.: fancy dress, the
scene was striking aud brilliant
Among the Henritta Marias. the
Amy Robsarts, Flora McDonalds and
other characters that filled the rooms,
one glrls face took my heart captive
the instant beheld 1t. She did not
look more than seventeen, though she
may have been year or two older, fair,
-lender. with sunny hair and milky
white complexion. She was dressed
10 represent the Snow Image of Haw-
ihornes charming fantasy, and the
character suited her style of beauty
admirably. She was pale as the snow
wreath that crowned her head, and she
seemed almost as fragile as the lcicles
that were her only ornaments.
The girls beauty was indeed re-
markablc. Peop'e turned and looked
at her as she moved here and there :;
and whenever she stood still she was
instantly surrounded by small crowd
of men eager to get their names put
down on her programme. | noticed.
however, that there was q sad. ab-
stracted look in her eyes. Her heart
vas not in the ball room.
In spite Of all my efforts l failed to
get an introduction to the girl who
had fascinated me. | failel even to
learn her name. But none the less
had fallen In love with her-like a
fool. | had fallen In love with q
stranSer-a vision that in all likeli-
hood should never see again, that
would be for me as feeting and unsub-
.'antlal as the Snow Fairy whom she
represented.
There was one other person at the
ball who attracted my attention. This
WAS q tall, dark man, with a thick,
hort, black beard, n man considera-
bly, over the middle height, and evi-
iently possessing a strong will rs we'll
f" powerful body. More than once
this man approached the Snow Fairy,
snd on each occasion she seemed to
me to shrink from him, as if she in
some way had cause to fear him. They
we're evidently connected, but what
The relationship between them was |
could not be sure. for the man seemed
too young to be her father Surely, |
eAld TO myself with a jealous pang,
surely he cannot be her lover?
I" whole evening | pestered my
trends IN the hope of getting, in some
lhdlrect way, All Introduction to the
E1ri who had fascinated me, but | was
quite unsuccessful. Once her eyes
met nlne What she read there | do
Dot know, but she suddenly turned
ASIDE, her pale cheeks showing n sud-
len glow Of rose color. Eexed with
myself tor making her blush, | turned
away IN the opposite direction, and
TOOK care not to approach SO near her
again.
Inc evening wore on, and it was
evident that my ambition was not to
oe Gratlted. About 3 o'clock | left
We hall room and, mutfied in nv
NICK ulster, was making my way along
Side street which led to the main
'horonghfare where hansoms were to
De found, when | heard rush of hv-
'ag feet behind me.
turned, and there, close to me,
wood the Snow Fairy, a white opera
COAX Wrapping her from head to foot,
ma her sweet, sad face looking out at
ne irom within :. hood of swansdown
| stood and stared, too much sur
prised to think or form conjecture
Is II re letter box near?" she
easged ont. for she WAS breathless, as
nucA from excitement. it seemed 10
me, as from the exertion of running.
N, please, please tell me. Where
ehali | look for one she went on.
without giving me time TO collect my
thoughts
! don't know where the neares,
ieter box is, ! replied, "but ! can
EASILY ind out. II you will intrus,
Your letter TO me I Will see that 1t 1t
POSTED.
No, cannot; ! dare not trust II
20 any one Do try to find out fol
me
nc words died away on Ger EKs
ior she, as we'll as /. had heard th'
noise OF some one running up to US
eAd the next moment the man Will
ie short black beard stood over Us
rage knotted the veins on his forebea'
II! they seemed TO be near bursting
i'age' Tor the space Of two seconds
sept HIM speechless During thos
'NO seconds the girl crept perceptlbl