Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-18
Blu REV. THOMAS DIXON, JR.


self control. Then queer steel-like look
came into his eyes.
1T shall be more than sorry to fail to
please you, but have no dress suit. l
have never had time for social frivolities.
1 can't afford to buy one for this occas-
ion. I couldn't be niger enough to hire
one, so that's the end of 1t. I'll have to
come dressed in my own fashion or stay at
home"
''Then you can stay at home" she snap
ped.
'Tn not do It," he coolly replied.
well, like your insolence."
I'm glad you do. I'll come as 1 come
TO all such functions, an outsider. III
sit out here on the porch in the shadows
and see 1t from afar. II I could only
dance, I assure you I'd try to fill every
number of your card. Not being able to
do so. simply decline to make FOOL
of myself"
For that compliment, I'll compromise
with you. Wear that big pompouse Prince
Albert suit you spoke in at Independence.
and I'll come out on the porch and chat
with you a while"
He sat there now in the shadows waiting
for this ball to begin. 1t was clear night
the first week in June. The new moon
was hanging just over the tree tops. His
heart was full to bursting with the
thought that the girl he loved would, In
a few minutes, be whirling over that pol
ished floor to the strains of waltz, with
another mans arm around her. He never
knew how deeply he hated dancing be-
fore-that rhythmic touch Of the human
body, set TO the melody of motion, and
voiced in the passionate cry Of music. He
felt it's challenge to his love to mortal
combat-his love that claimed this one
woman as his own, body and soul!
The music from the italian band was in
full swing, its plaintive notes instinct
with the passion of sunny Italy, a music
all southern people love.
He felt that he should choke. A SUDDEN
thought came to him. Tearing sheet OF
paper from a note book he scrawled this
line upon It:
Dear Miss Sallie: Please let me see you
a moment in the parlor before you enter
the ball room. CASTOR.
At least he would see her in her ball
costume first. Yes, and If she should hate
him for it. he would beg her not to dance
that night. He saw Mcleod bowling and
scraping in the ballroom arrayed in fault
less full dress, and glancing toward the
door. He knew he was waiting for her to
ask her to dance. How he would like to
wiring his handsome neck!"
The boy returned Immediately and said
the lady was waiting in the parlor. He
entered with a sense Of fear and con-
fusion.
She came to him with her bare arm
extended, a dazzling vision of beauty.
She was dressed in a creamy white crepe
ball gown, cut modestly decollete over her
full bust and cleaning shoulders, sleeve
less. and he'd with tiny straps across the
curve of the upper arm.
He was stunned. She smiled in triumph,
conscious of her resistless power.
Forgive me for my selishness in keep
ing you here just moment from the rest.
wished to see you first"
what? to inspect like mamma. to see
If / looked all right?"
mo. with a mad desire to keep you as
long as possible from the others"
Then she looked up at him and said
slowly and softly:
Would il please you very much IL 1
were not to dance tonight?"
81 wouldn't dare ask so selfish a thing
of you. 1t is with you a simple habit Of
polite society and you enjoy it as a child
does play l understand that, and yet if
you do not dance tonight feel as though
would crawl round this world on my
hands and knees for you If you would ask
1t. There are men waiting for you in
that ball room whom hate"
She looked at him tfndly as though she
were afraid he was about to say too much
and replied:
Then 1 will not dance tonight. III just
preside over the ball and let Helen be the
queen"
Words have no power to convey my
gratitude. l count all my little triumphs
in life nothing to this. You promised to
join me on the porch. Don't change that
part of the program. l will talk to your
mother until you come"
Castor went down stairs treading on
air. He sought her mother and devoted
himself to her with supreme tact. lie dis
covered her tastes an prejudices and paid
her that knightly Difference some young
men express easily and naturally to their
elders. He had always teen a favorite
with old people. He prided himself on it.
This faculty he regarded as a badge of
honor. AS he sat there and talked with
this frail little woman, his heart went
out TO her in a great yearning love. She
was the mother of the bride of his soul.
He would love her forever for that. No
matter whether she loved him or hated
him. He would love the mother who gave
to his thirsty lips the water of life!
Drawn irresistibly by the magnetism of
his mind and manner Mrs. Worth forgot
the flight of time and thought but mo-
ment had past when an hour after the ball
had opened. Sallie came out leaning on
McLeods arm.
Mamma, have you been monopolizing
Mr.. CASTOR for a whole hour?''
He hasn't been here half hour, Miss!'
cried her mother.
"He has been here an hour and ten min
utes. I'm going to tell papa on you just
as soon as l get home"
GO back to'your dancing"
mo. thank you, I have an engagement
to take walk with your beau. Come Mr..
Gaston.P
They walked to the spring and along
the winding path by the brook at the foot
of the hill, and found a rustic seat. They
were both silent for several moments.
Il saw you were charming mamma, or
1 would have come sooner"
81 hope she likes me-"
"She has been praislng you ever since
your visit to Independence. l never saw
her talk so long to a young man in my
life before. You must have hypnotised
her"
Il hope So"
A strange happiness filed her heart. She
was afraid to look it in the face; and yet
she dared to play with the thought.
Are you enjoying your triumph to-
night? I've had war inside
Il feel like l am the Emperor of the
World and that the Evening Star is smil-
ing on my court"
She smiled, tossed her head, leaned
against the tree and said:
II wonder if you are in the habit of
saying things like that to girls?"
Upon my soul an honor, no."
"Then thanks. I'll dream about that,
maybe"
They returned to the hotel and Mcleod
claimed her They went back the same
walk, and by freak of fate he chose the
~. 1,r.G til nit Go.