The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-01-04
CHAPTER VIII.
gALAs. HAVE A RIvAL.-

with young AuLtfOn Nf"c!.
The ancient Sibyi tar!Sbrookc said &C,
but then She said may oOiisA things,
and saw twice as far through a miit-
staro as other Fcope.
Wien Accr nGt9n TctUr..S to the more
immediate scene Of g&ycty, he tirdS Il
dance on tLc grass in progression. the
muSi, hidden b huI i 81 !c&:y screen
and Sowcry banks loun';inG the ball
room Their waS Mcrriou Rae rip. Ing
through an intricate figure with AubHron
Crecy, her passionate, darH'ing glance
and heightened beauty bctraying the tri-
umph Of the moment 10 her. and here
was Loveday, ancing in and ont among
the dancers unattended, her wild and
brilliant graces fresh as ever, as il 10
prove her care free independence OF
Aubcron'S smiles
Toward her Accrpgton wendS his way
with melancholy sweetness, and, catch
ing her eye, without word woocs her TO
him by the sheer force o. his dominant
gaze. To see her struggle against him,
whirl past with defiant glance, circle
round the grassy mead, AID fit back, q
little nearer each revolution, lurcd by his
eyes-those deep. dark, mournful eyes
that seem TO brood over grief and wrong,
and TO plead for sympathv-tili at last
she is cloSe TO him, laughing out Sil-
very echo OF the waltz. She sweeps him
the presentation courtesy" and comes
up to Ic.over with fairy feet pointed,
and q look of pctulant waywardneSS,
crying:
"Here | am. Coonei: now speak quick
ly, for my turn comes next to dance.
Il did not summon you, Sprite," said
Accrngton, very softly, and looking
deep into her upraised eyes, without q
smile.
"But-ycs. you did! You--"
Looked at you, that was ALL" muir
INJURED the gentle tones in her ear: but
pcklapS l mcSmcrizcd you little.
Perhaps he did,
She tried 10 look at Lin independent
". but could not endure, without emo
tion, the earnest beseeching OF his gaze.
81 thought mamma had sent for mo
saw you talking with her." said Love
day, turning away, but slowly.
"Yor will give me one waltz" asked
he, staying her in spite OF erseif.
Size hesitated, glancing Involuntary
at Aubcron with a trace CT anxiety,
which Accrington instantly OWNED as
the wish to avoid doing anything which
might not be to Aubcron's taste.
1T Is but little thing for carcworn
man like me TO ask from your buOyant
yOutl, that you should give me back five
minutes of ny by-gone days OF happi-
ness" said he wistfui!y. "Sh2ll you
dislike it so much?"
NO, ho, no, no, " faltcred she. abashod;
81 shall waltz, with you for my next
partner" And with that he let ncr go.
In few minutes Mcrrion Rae was
discngaged, and Accrington seized the
opportunity.
Her grace sent me to amuse you,
Queen of Scots" he said, airily, leading
her for a promenade.
~ am qu!escent, returned the LADY,
abSently; do your best.
Fair queen, ! bcSeech your aid."
s'Tis yours, Sir Colonel. Speak,"
II love lady,"
"Eh bicn! So do most men
sAlas, have rival
impossible Who could rival Colonel
Accrington?"
sweet demoiselle, you are Pleased to
laugh at me; yet am in trouble.
.Did YOU not offer to amuSe me?"
"True. Well. you may laugh, yet help
me, and l will be ontent."
~ help you. Is it possible?"
@Are you not as wise "a you are witty
as good as you are pretty? You GER
tainly can, II you will, do much to extri-
cate ne from dilemma"
aAh, now am dying to aid You, your
flattery is so sweet. Only show me how
can be Of use to YOU"
Suppose a cavalier, much like that
| dark. browed fellow Accrington, loved
sunny tressed Aurora like"
.Mlss Dellamere, for instance, inter
posed Merr on, laughing mischievonsly,
as he stopped and looked at her. "Oh.
have not been blind, dear Colonel, and
wish you every success
THANK you, Lady Merrion; now l
shall tell you the obstacle. Suppose
| this lady was half prom sed, by the par
enfS to young man who loves hor"-
CIerrion started and changed colorl-
.but only with fraternal love-" pro-
ceeded Accr.ngton, who had not lost
this sign of emotion. "for his whole heart
is II ntly given to another, and that
other"
"IIa! ha. ha! quite a Comedy OF En-
rors,' " laughed Merrion, Gcfantiy meet
ing his significant glance, though her
brilliant face glowed with rich bushes.
And now, what part can play in all
| this? Or havc you yet to come to that
point?"
"And that other" resumed Accrington,
boldly, has only to accept Lis atten-
Nuns for few days, during which she
nav be- endeavoring to teach her own
heart to respond to his thus the first
named lady will fee! herself free to love
.,;Il o,d