Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-06-03
6Y HENRY NEW4QLZ

i6I HENRY .NEM4NZ
she said. "of course 1 will not trouble
you; good fortune to the brave- and
she left him glowing with mingled con-
fusion and gratitude. She was far too
great lady to be curious, but all good
women of her age are very naturally
interested in young romance: and it
Is not astonishing that she found time
now and again to glance in Estcourt's
direction.
For long while he did not change
his position, and she began to fear that
he was doomed to disappointment. But
at last there was stir near the door,
and she hurried forward to receive the
new guests.
An elderly dowager in green satin,
and equity old nobleman in star and
spectacles hobbled in and paid brace
OF homely compliments. AS they passed
on, Lady Glamorgan glanced back
over her shoulder. and saw to. her sur
prise that Estcourt was coming for
ward through the crowd with a look
of relief upon his face.
"The Milbricks?" she asked herself.
What can the man be thinking OFF,"
But as he drew nearer she saw that
his eyes ignored this absurd old couple.
and were fixed intently upon some one
beyond. She turned to the door once
more. just in time to welcome very
different pair. A gentleman with iron
gray hair and mustaches, wearing a
red ribbon across his plain evening
dress. was plotting lady through the
throng that blocked the entrance, with
courtesy and adroitness that con-
spfcuously distinguished him from all
around.
AS for the lady, whoever looked upon
her turned to look again. She was fully
as tall as her companion. but scarcely
more than half his age; her dark blue
eyes flashed fearlessly upon all they
met; her lips were red with life and
curved with the pride and laughter of
youth; the slight flush of her marvellous
complexion and the spring of her step
reused the beholder's pulse in sympathy
with her splendid vitality. Her dress
was OF white and gold. scarcely less
brilliant than herself; round her neck
and on her brow were diamonds. and
she wore them lightly. like queen.
An! murmured the countess to her.
self, as she came forward, sit is Madame
de Montaut; a prize taken from the
enemy! 1 understand. but it is bold
6oHAe Luz So quiet man.
She shook hands with her guests and
retreated little to watch their meet
ing with this audacious young captain.
1t was evident at once that he was al
ready in favor with Col de Montaut ut
any rate; the lady too, after few mo-
ments' talk between the three, accepted
Estcourts arm and continued her pro-
gress down the room.
n1la6ri11o i,,c
other moment the dancers would be dis
persing. two and two, in all directions
to the seats and more secluded corners
Estcourt led his partner across to the
farther door; there she stopped him and
turned to look at the dance Her eyes
spanked, and her foot began to beat
time upon the floor.
Splendid" she cried: IT long to be
one Of them myselfv
His brow contracted slightly. Don't
you think" he suggested. little timid-
ly, that we had better choose our seats
before the rush comes?"
"Oh, no, thank YOU" she replied,
laughing. II shall not need seat for
a long time yet; we have only just ar
rived. But perhaps you have been here
longer and are tired Of dancing al.
ready?"
Il have been here an hour or more, ("
he replied. "but have not been dane
ing"
"And pray. If I may ask. for what
| other purpose did you come so early?"
This directness confused him. IL
got here too soon," he said. land had
to wait outside by the abbey"
Where, of course, you could not
| dance?" she interrupted, mischievously.
"And even then was almost the
first here" he continued; "and-and-''
"And so you resolved to dance only
with the latest conner, by way, I sup
pose. of striking the balance right?"
He pulled himself together, and made
an effort to play his part In the game.
Balance or not" he said. earnestly,
II resolved to dance only with the lat
est conner. IL she should be Madame de
Montaut."
"And so you SHALL" she answered
merrily, as the dancers broke of from
their first figure and made for the door
/ in pairs; that is. as soon as these poor
| things have rested; in the meantime let
! US walk in the empty room till they
come back"
| She took his arm once more. and her
touch seemed to send tremor through
; 1llLl 4IOIl uSdu " lOOL, Lney stepped
| forward into the great ballroom, hung
! with mirrors and gaily colored flags,
| and brilliant with thousand lights
| that threw a dazzling sheen upon the
broad expanse of polished floor. She
talked with animation, and he answered
almost mechanically; the intoxication
Of pride mounted to his head and
| numbed his senses as he made his tri-
umphal progress before the eyes of the
elder ladies on the dais, the long line
! Of dancers sitting out against the walls
| and the herd Of solitary men standing
each with folded arms. at the bottom
Of the room. Their whispers reached
| him with faint incense, and he scarcely
! knew himself for mortal like the rest
/ But now the band struck up again;
the crowd returned, and he found him.
| self floating with his radiant partner
through the upper heaven of perfect
rhythmic motion. Suddenly. as 1,
seemed. the music stopped; he mastered
the swimming sensation in his brain
| and turned to look at her. Her eyes
| beamed back upon his with frank sym.
pathy.
"Glorious! she exclaimed. What q
= v,ify