Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-07-30
4 BLACK BUTTERFLY.

of physical infirmitios, were CON-
WINGED that dancing is n hollow van
ity, and therefore abStained from it,
but not from comments upon people
and frocks, which have been def
nitely proved not to DO vanitios and
are INDUCED in by the most potent,
grave and reverend seigniors and
have their sanction.
She was dancing with Taunton,
waltzing the long stepped, fast glid-
ing waltz which tho cavalry is apt
to affect, and which has in it the
dash and vorvo commonly supposed
to be attributes of that gallant
ranch of the service.
1t was case of true love and had
not run smooth. Miss Rossini was
torn between n desire to obey her
parents and tho wish to give way to
Taunton's entreaties. The outcome
of the conflict has been written be-
forehand in the book of life these
thousands of centuries. A weakness
OF will-sweetly feminine, but try
Ing when it is not oneself who
wields the power-was her worst
fault. Her promises were governed
entirely by the speaker of the mo-
ment. To her father she swore eter-
nal remuneration of Taunton; to
Taunton, eternal fidelity in her love,
and yet, if untruth is to be judged
only by its intention, she was not
guilty of falsehood.
Tho time had passed, some two
weeks before, when she might with
honesty tell her father that she
would give the first lieutenant up
forever. Moreover, Captain Rossini
had begun to loso faith in tho prom
ises. At last she-replied to his re-
monstrances one day that she loved
Taunton, that he loved her and that
she meant eventually to marry him.
AT this she turned first red and then
pale, but remained firm against all
the paternal wrath poured on her
head with q vehemence and force of
language calculated to impress her
with the deep respect a child should
nourish toward the author of its be-
ing. To his choice epithets she made
no reply.
The humor of the situation struck
her even then-the vast paradox of
parental reverence. But she showed
the obstinacy which lies at the bot
tom of even u weak nature, which is
part of the instinct of self preserva-
ton, and she held her tongue.
Tho strain was telling on her, how
ever. She was greatly changed from
the girl who but six months before
had come back from school to the
gayety and adulation of u big army
post. The suffering gave sweet
ness to her rather cool prettiness,
which lent her charm. The garrison
was sorry for her. 1t did all in its
power to help along the meetings of
this much enamored couple and sue
ceeded only too we'll.
Captain and Mrs. Rossini were per
sons of type not prevalent in the
service, with an eye very much to
the main chance, worldly wise to q
degree. A rich man back east"
who had taken n fancy to the little
boarding school miss and who sent
numerous letters, rolls of music,
books and boxes of candy, was looked
upon as a far better match than a
first lieutenant, even q most eXem-
plary first lieutenant, as Taunton
certainly was. When Taunton s at
tentions had become too marked, he
had been forbidden the house, and
Lucia had been commanded to re-
pulse him. The mere fact that she
promised faithfully to do so in pres
enoe of her fathers wrath had no
influence on her when once she was
thrown with her lover. 1t was
choice of evils-whether she should
oppose her parents or Taunton-and
she chose the former as less unpleas-
ant.
Just at first they kept their meet
ings secret, but once they were dis
covered they threw aside conceal
ment and saw each other openly I'M
der the very eyes Of the powerless
father and mother. They took long
rides among the foothills, long walks
around the outskirts of the garrison,
Taunton striding along with his fine
head very erect, his gray eyes see
ing nothing but the girl at his side,
who picked her way daintily among
the litter of tin cans and broken bot
ties and old horseshoes that marked
the approach to the post.
There were no leafy bowers under
which to stroll and no velvety sward
to press their feet upon, but they
could we'll afford to ignore the sur
Youndings. 1t is only later in life
that we learn the value of the back
ground of the picture. By common
consent they avoided straying to the
creek, where the willows and cotton
woods were thick and green. The
mon" and their sweethearts held
that field. AT the hops, too, they
danced together a great deal of the
time and made no secret of their in
fatuation.
Captain Rossini looked savage, and !
Mrs. Rossini was manifestly uneasy,
but an open scene was not to be |
thought of, public opinion being
against the parents. There were
bad half hours and fearful nights
for Lucia after each defiance, but
there was more sweet in Taunton
love than bitter in her father 8 fury.