Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-03-08
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a
ups. eyes and shoulders?
Clever. you say? Most pretty wom-
en-
.,Are not?-decidedly- law of compen-
sation. of course. Dea has TOO much
unite unfair-beauty, brain, blood
brain for what-artf'
Canning tilted his head; the light
seorched his keen. tired face; two ugly,
curying wrinkles that bracketed his
nose deepened into burrows as he
laughed.
-bah-mcn, 1t takes brain TO
bag birds. That's Gayns dancing with
her. He's the latest and got money.
She'll give him a week at least"
\ waltz wave had swept her close to
them. 4 swish of foamy skirt, watt
from a rose, a laugh like a flute, and
the gorgeous, writing current drew
her in.
Ferris got upon his feet quickly, look
ing after her. He did not know that
he had moved till he heard Ganning's
laugh. He sat down and tried to copy
it, but failed.
See here" said Canning.
Ferris looked down. \ tiny fluff of
lace lay at his feet.
one of her tricks" sneered Gan
ming
Ferris picked it up. \ morsel Of
lawn and lace. With a quaint little
crest in the corner, and a fragrance as
fresh as a shower.
mot n ballroom breath" unused Fer
rS. Canning was right-it took brain.
1--WE this two step with her" said
Canning. I'm return the thing if you
like"
Ferris hand closed over it. The 9th
er saw It and smiled. His smile was
more unpleasant than his laugh, and
Ferris tossed the handkerchief toward
him awkwardly--so aWkwardly that it
fell to the floor Canning smiled again
and picked it up.
Pull yourself together, man." he
said.
He touched her hand an hour later in
the cOtillon Canning was her partner
again. His pale. close lips curved
slightly as Ferris colored warmly AT
the touch. Her heavily scored card Of
fered nothing, but he took her TO a
draft for three minutes and talked
about himself He generally talked
about the women.
She was gowned in some French Gre
alton that changed tint like cloud at
sunset. y big topaz at the waist line
hlazed like an evening star. Tiny
SWirs Of hair were matted upon her
moist forehead. He had seen just such
on the damp brows of children when
they were asleep. Her eyes he found
hcwildcring. They were younger than
he had expected, with Il certain dawn
like look, but the mouth was that OF a
woman, with the naughty upper lip of
the well born English girl.
They were guests at the same hotel.
He saw her every day for awhile; then
every hour. Blessed or cursed with
nature of romance and fire, he loved
her as such men love. AS unreasona-
hlo as vehement, he claimed her very
breath. He WINGED when Canning
spoke to her. He suffered horribly
when he saw them in the waltz. Gayns
made him jealous; Canning drove him
mad,
Why 10 you dance with him" he
said 70 her one evening. crushing her
WalLi fingers in a cold, unyielding
grasp
She laughed her amber colored eyes
sparkled like drops Of champagne.
'Otlello, you hurt my handsw
81 believe you used to care for that
telIow' he said sullenly. Swear to
ne, Dea, YOU did not"
She tore her hands away and raised
one tragically II swear" she c.ied.
Hamlet, this timer"
80 she's giving you a fortnight"
taid Canning one morning.
Ferris faced him quickly; he was
titp pale about the mouth. Il don't
understand you" he said.
'It YOU understand Dea it's suifi-
'.ant.' he smiled his inscrumhlc
smile My rooms ut your service, y
he added. I'm of for more royal
sport It's cooler ! believe than your
quarters; better snap it up while you
rau"
Ilc laft the next evening Ferris
drew long free breath. Absurd. too,
Ls jealousy Of Canning, What had be
eyer done: Danced with Dea as much
o., 4uy others loved her not rs well.
Do" gan 10 have sort of friendly
l"a- I9r the fellow rs he entered the
I'H just made vacant by his depar-
'" and hastily dropped his traps.
.. night was Intensely warm, the
Ia.. sitting He crossed TO an open
window aud pulled back a gaping
'.aa 4 flood Of silvery fame stream
'l u rs from 4 searchlight-heated to
N#le heat it seemed to him. for the
very moon was hot, He turned, as II
sunlight, then all at once stopped
anyway tn the shining path across the