The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-14

McMaster ran lightly up the steps
and into the hall. Invested himself of
Top coat and hat and entered the IL
brary.
DO you wish to see my father ?"
asked the occupant, with a pretense
at courage denied by frightened eyes.
NO" his eyes rested on the fair
young face with its rich color that be-
longs only to first, sweet youth.
If you do not want to see my faith
er, whom would you like to see? There
was a tinge of haughtiness in the girls
voice.
And if should tell you. my pretty
maid?"
She turned on the light; everything
was golden and bright and rich.
He wondered why a frightened Look
lurked in the gray depths of her eyes.
She was absurdly young, almost a
child, but there was no reason why
they should not sit down and talk
amiably until their friends put in an
appearance.
Unless you state your business"
the girl spoke haughtily, II must ask
you to leave
Leave Jack HOLSTERS house." in
dignantly.
"Oh, you are a friend of theirs? Faith
er and l have the house rented"
McMaster crossed the room to where
the girl stood, and said: MY train
is delayed for hours. Jack and his
wife are old friends. You will pardon
my intrusion-good-n night
will you not forgive me and take
tea with us?" the girl asked, with
charming hospitality.
The man who hesitate. stays. Nc
Master, who had passed unsca thed
through a dozen seasons, felt a tug at
his heart strings when the girl lifted
her gray eyes to his.
Father isn't coming to tea; has gone
out of town. and won't be home until
midnight" the girl said, with dismay.
looking at a note that had been given
her. He promised to take me to the
dance to-night-the best dance of the
season."
Lets 60" McMasters leaned to-
ward her; there was an eager note in
his voice.
II would love it," In the girls voice
a lingering regret.
Il will send your father the family
record. 1 will satisfy him as to my re-
spectability. Comets but an hour
out of our lives!"
"Have you seen a pumpkin lying
around?" she asked, demurely, land
have the little mice turned to milk
white steeds?'.
That dance! The lights, the flowers,
the music, the glitter of jewels, the
fash of bright eyes, the CLEAN of white
shoulders. McMaster's arm encircled
the girlish form. They f1oated down
the long room. The touch of her
white, cool fingers; the perfume of her
hairI Was it music, was it madness
this sweet strenuous whirlwind of
thought that possessed him? She was
but child he told himself. The mu-
sic throbbed in the hall. 1t made him
think of his old dreams; he seemed to
feel those dreams pressing with spec
trail softness against his side. How
red the lips behind the mask; how fair
the brow under the shadowy hair!
When the dance was done it seemed
as though they had been friends
through long and happy years. And
afterwards came the dash home over
the snow to the accompaniment Of
musical, jingling bells.
In the library the lights burned low,
but the freight leaped and sparkled
behind the fire dogs. The girl slipped
from her furs and stood, one foot on
the fender looking down into the fires
heart. How sweet she was! Her soft
girlish laughter cut the stiffness of the
room. One, two, three-the clock told
off the hours up to II.
"Cinderella"-it was part of the en-
chantment-"I must CO." McMaster's
voice was full of regret.
The pretty smiling face took on
look of CONSERVATION. THE front
door is being opened she whispered.
what will we do! Father will never
understand"
Run" he said: know the house"
She vanished like wrath.
The library door led on to the porch.