The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-01-10
LADY MACBETH.

AdU l. NAODu i LIZ
When Reggie Ridpath found himself
lying perhaps 90 feet below the noun
tain road he had been ascending, his
horse kicking and plunging dangerous
ly near him, his buggy like a huge bird
of evil omen hanging in the branches of
a tree above him, he was inclined to
think that his evil star was in the as
oendant. This impression deepened
From the darkness that foated nearer
and nearer until it finally submerged
him he awoke to find himself surround
ed by physicians and his broken leg,
which they pronounced very serious
fracture done in plaster.
He surveyed it ruefully as the days
went by. The star mounted higher. His
mothers house party. the event of the
season, was at hand. There would be
fishing parties, mountain parties, pic
MICS, dances He ground his teeth at the
thought 1t was his only relief. He lay
there bandaged, shorn of his strength,
and watched the star as it reached the
zenith. Suddenly it dropped down the
horizon, and the room was flooded with
a rosy hue. She stood in the doorway
"a tall, distinguished girl, wearing a
travelling gown and hat of the most ap-
proved fashion. He had heard of her tri-
umphs abroad, he knew she had turned
the hearts and heads of New York, that
owing to a distant kinship his mother
had secured her for this house party,
that men raved over her, although they
said she had no soul--he knew all this,
and yet she came to his bedside and
greeted him In pretty friendly fashion
and called him Reggie. After that day
there was always look of bright ex-
pectancy on the boyish face as he watch
ed the door for her coming.
The weeks wore deep into June. Mrs.
Ridpath's house party was to close with
fancy dress ball. The fashionables for
miles around were invited. Many and
frequent we're the discussions as to what
should and should not be worn. Reggie
hoped to be present, but on the after
noon of the dance, six weeks after his
accident, he was forced to give it up.
81 knew wouldn't be able to dance
with you, Elizabeth, but / wanted to
see the great throng move up the stair
way and watch you receive mother
guests, be said as she sat talking to
him "Oh, am SO tired of it'll have
been chained here thousand years. "
1T won't be much longer" she said
soothingly.
"Well, l want to dance with Lady
Macbeth" petulently. "How did you
happen to choose her, Elizabeth? My.
but you will be gloriousP'
There was no mistaking the admira-
ton in his eyes.
Elizabeth had genuine fondness for
the lad. She looked at him with her
great soft eyes,
''It's long story, Reg, one 1 have
never told any one," she answered,
with little smile, half sad, half merry
"Then tell me-, he pleaded.
"Once, she began. and there was
purpose in her kindness to him, $50
long ago that it seems like dream, l
lived SO quietly that had never in my
widest dreams imagined anything like
this ball we are to have tonight had
never had a party gown or been to
dance in my life. The birds and all the
free wild things were my companions.
One day young man was brought into |
our little home with fracture some |
thing like yours Forgive me, dear, but
for that reason was interested in you
from the first. nursed him back to
health. had never seen any one like
him before. In the summer my boy
cousins sometimes spent month or two |
with Us, and / knew the village men,
but he was different 1.-THE girls eyes
rested on the lilies that cleaned in the
garden below. II have never forgotten
that summer, Reg she said simply,
and because of it men call me heartless
and cold. )"
The boy tried to speak. Somehow his
voice sounded very queer. But the girl
was talking again.
"You ask me why chose Lady Mao
beth. One day play was given in the
village near our home. 1t was hardly a
play, either, but Shakespeare's women
were given You need not smile SO in
oredulously. We had been we'll trained
l contrived a dress like the one in
tend to wear tonight. My friend was
able to go with US. / felt little fright
ened as / looked over the sea of faces.
Then just below me on the front seat |
saw him. There was a little smile upon
his face. He had seen a good many
Lady Macbeths, you know. When / had |
finished, there was silence for mo-
ment, then storm Of applause shook
the house. | could not doubt my sue
cess. and after it was over he came to
me. He did not say much, but knew
had done we'll. p"
She looked down into Reggie's pale
face and answered the question in his
eyes.
"No, my dear. we were not engaged,
NOT utter. l am proud woman, Reg,
and believe"-
"Where is he now?' the boy inter-
rupted.
81 have never seen him since. Yop
know have been abroad for years, but
he lived in your town."
She rose to leave the room.
81 think"- he burst forth indignant
ly, but she placed her hand over his lips.
"Not word, dear. One night he
told me there was a tradition in the
family that he should marry cousin
of his They had loved each other in
calm, friendly way and were engaged.
do not regret that summer, Reg. Now,
goodby. When next you see me- She
waved him adieu as she left the room.
Shortly afterward a man came in
anannounced and unexpected. He was
tall and we'll built, not strictly hand
some, but with face one would not be
apt to forget. There was look Of de-
cision about the mouth and chin. In
the eyes a shadow lurked He was Regi- |
Maid Ridpath friend, and the boy felt
honored and gratified that this. man,
some ten years his senior, had given
him his friendship.
"Where did you come from? thought
you were in Canada, Reggie said.
$50 was a few days ago, but on
my way home made it convenient to
come by here. You must return to the
city, Reg, at the first breath of fall,
and we will give you no end Of good
time to pay you for this summers
pain. .
"You must not pity me too much,
old man, the fact is And he then
told him of the girl, his mother guest,
of her kindness to him, of the approach
ing dance and the story she had just
contided to him.
"Do you think | have broken faith,
old MANI" Reggie sat up and looked