The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1896-09-26
Spelling 4 SCHEME.

The crowd became thicker every
moment. until II became almost Inn
possible % move IN the ball room.
The charity. on account Of which the
entertainment was being held. was
popular one; some great ladies' had
taken the thing up and made Il a sge-
cess. And as many Of the men, and
nearly all the girls we're In fancy
dress. the scene was striking and bril-
liant.
Among the Henrietta Marias. the
Amy Robsarts. Flora McDonalds and
other characters that filled the rooms
one girls face took my heart captive
the moment bcheld H. She DID not
look more than seventeen, though she
may have been a year or two older
fair. slender with sunny hair and to
represent the Snow Image Of Haw-
thornes charming fantasy, and the
character suited her style OF beauty
admirably. She vas pale as the snow
wreath that crowned her head, and
she seemed almost as fragile az the
lclcles that were her only ornaments.
The girls beauty was, Indeed. ie.
mnrkable. People turned and looked
M her as she moved here and there;
nnd whenever she stood still she was
Instantly surrounded by small crOWd
Of men, eager 10 get their names put
/ down on her programme. ! noticed
/ however. that there was sad, ab-
stmctcd look In her eyes. Her heart
was not In the ballroom.
In spite Of all my efforts. ] failed 10
get an introduction 10 the girl Who
had fascinated me. I failed. even. 10
learn her name. But. none the less,
had fallen IN love with her-like a
fool. had fallen In love with
stanger-a vision that, IN all hkeil-
hood | should never see again. but
would be for me rs fieetlng nnd unsnD-
stantial as the snow Fairy whom she
represented.
There WIS one other person at the
hall who attracted my attention. This
was a tall. dark man, with a thick,
short. black beard. a nan considera-
} hly over the middle height. and cyl.
! IDENTIFY possessing n strong will ~ well
, as a powerful body. More than once
this man approached the snow fairy'
, aud on each occasion she SEEMED 70 NE
10 shrink from SIN. ns II she. In soms
way. had cause 20 fear him. They
D were evidently connected. but what
I the relationship between them was
/ could not be- sure. for the man seemed
too young 10 be- her father. Surely.
= said To myself. with n jealous pans
I, surely, he cannot be her lover.
The whole evening ! pestercd M
! friends IN the hope Of getting, IN SOM
Indirect way. an introduction 20 IN
girl who had Fascinated me; but ] wa
quite unsuccessful. Once her eye
met mine. What she read there ] d
not know, but she suddenly turnel
y aside. her pale cheeks showing a sud
> den glow Of rose color. Nexed wit
!. myself for making her blush. | turne
!, away in the opposite direction. And
. took care OF 10 approach 80 near
her again.
y The evening wore on. and Il was ev
Ie dent that my ambition was not 10 ]
n cratlhcd. About , o'clock I left q
a ballroom. and. mufiled IN my thie
= ulster. was making my way along
side street which led 20 the ma
al ihoroughfare where haIsoms were
as be found. when heard a rush Of 4
10 ing feet bchind me.
turned. and there. close 90 m
stood the Snow Fairy a white olirl
cloak whipping her from head 10 fo'
aud her sweet. sad face looking out
e. me from within a hood OF swansdow
IN / stood and stared. too much ~
A prlsed a. think or 20 form comic
=. ture.
g is there a letter box nearr .
" rasped out. fcr she was hrcathless.
much from excitement. u SEEMED
49, me. as from the excrtion OF runnit
'Oh. please. please tell me. Whe
shall | look for OneTT she went 4
without giving me time 60 collect
thoughts.
Il don't know where the nearest J
ter box U.s." replied. "but ] can cas-
| and out. II you viii entTust your
| ter 10 me I win see that Il Is posteI
| "No: I cannot: I dare not entrusl
TO anyone. DO try ind out for me
The words died away on her u
for she. as well as !. Ind heard
Il noise Of some one running up 20
aud the next moment the man "
the short. black beard stood over
\ Rage knCitcd TIE veins ON his a.
y head until they seemed % be M
Al bursting. Rage. for the space Of I
n seconds. kept him speechless. Dur
these two Seconds the glrl crcpt !
4 ceptIbly nearer 10 me, and someth
Il smooth, stilt. thin. like piece Of th
II pastch0anl. was pressed into my 10
slipped Il at once Into the pocket