The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-02-11
BY HEXRY NEWBNZ

capt. EStcourt.' she said, you are
positively not dancing! A sailor too,
and at a sea lords ball!'
Pray do not trouble about me, Lady
Glamorgan," he replied; II am in no
hurry to begin"
mo, no." she said, Il must find you
some pretty craft at once: I have good
patronage to bestow just now, and you
may choose between a strong ally or
a rich onvoy both making their first
voyage"
His grave eyes lit up with a smile in
answer to her playful tone New
ships" he said. ARE never lucky; ia
rather have one taken from the en-
envy"
There was an undertone Of unex-
pressed meaning in the words; she
caught it. and looked at him with kind
ly interest.
IF you are waiting for some one"
she said. "of course ! 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 a lady to be curious, but all good
women of her age are very naturally
interested in a young romance: and it
Is not astonishing that she found time
now n again to glance in Estcourt's
direction.
For a long while he did not change
his position, and she began to fear that
he was doomed to disappointment. But
at last there was a stir near the door.
n she hurried forward to receive the
new guests.
An elderly dowager in green satin,
n a equity old nobleman in a star and
spectacles hobbled in and paid a brace
or 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 of?"
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 a very
different pair. A gentleman with iron
gray hair and mustaches. wearing a
red ribbon across his plain evening
dress. was plotting a lady through the
throng that blocked the entrance. with
a courtesy and a~droitness that con-
spicuously 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 Mashed 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 oil white and gold. scarcely less
brilliant than herself; round her neck
ana on her brow We're diamonds. and
she wore them lightly, like a queen.
An murmured the countess to her
self, as she came forward, 1T is Madame
de Montaut; a prize taken from the
enemy! / understand, but ii is a bold
game for so quiet a man.
She shook hands with her guests and
retreated a little to watch their meet
ing with this a~udacious young captain.
It was evident at once that he was al
ready in favor with Col. de Montaut Mt
any rate; the lady too, after a few mo-
ments' talk between the three, accepted
Estcourt's arm and continued her pro-
gress down the room.
A quadrille was just ending; in an
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; Il long to be
one of them myself"
His brow contracted slightly. Don't
you think" he suggested, a little timid-
ly, that we had better choose Our seat.
before the rush comes?"
"Oh, no, thank you she replied.
laughing. Il shal not need a 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 I have not been dane
ing"
And pray, IL l 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
dancer she interrupted, mischievously.
And even then i 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. if she should be Madame de
Montaut."