Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-06-04

UDulty
ant manner, for In spite of his fash
ing eyes and smiling lips there was
grave, ascetic expression behind oil,
something OF melancholy. too in the
turn of his straight manly body.
Medallion standing apart, watched
him musingly. He had not seen that
first glance at Marie or Maries glance
In return. but he felt there was some
thing strange and uncommon In the
man. He had the bearing OF gentle.
man. and his voice was that of edu-
cation and refinement. The girls sim
pered and whispered among them
selves, and the men turned with one
consent to Marie.
well, 1t must be Marie" said An.
tome. "She's the prethest girl in the
parish"
Yes, Marie, Mariew said others.
Alphonse had mind to speak, but
he dared not, for he saw that he could
not contradict Antoine. and he also
saw that Marie would be handed over
10 this handsome stranger.
"Good!' said the stranger. .Then
let it be Marie" not looking toward
her that is" he added, ''if Marie is
willing"
Now they made way for her to come
forward and said. .Here-here she is"
Marie came down slowly, not look
ing ut the stranger, and his eyes did
not dwell upon her face. They rose no
higher than her neck. where she wore
a little cross of gold.
Good" he said again, "goodl"
Then as she came nearer he contin-
ued in an ofThand way. MY name is
Camille, Marie
She did not more than whisper the
words. m. Camille" and held out her
hand, still not raising her eyes to his
| face.
He took her hand and clnsped it. As
| he did so . sound almost like u moan
| broke softly from her lips. There was
SO much noise and chattering that per-
haps no one noticed 1t except Babette
and Medallion. but they Were watch
ing-watchinS.
All at once Marie broke away with
n wild little laugh "Chut" she said
as she danced i'll among the other girls,
changed all in nn instant. Hell be
tired of me before the things over"
EYES," said Medallion under his
breath; ''as he was before. Yet Pm not
SO sure either"
| Medallion was only specializing.
Ten minutes afterward NJ. Camille
was seated on little platform at the
| end of the room, raised about six inches
from the floor, playing for the dancers.
Marie WIGS dancing with Alphonse.
"You think he's handsomei" asked
Alphonse furtively.
oh he's so vain!'. she said. look
at the way he switches the bowl"
"And listen how he calls off the
dances" continued Alphonse, delight
ed; mot half SO good as Nigord. And
such airs; such airs! Who's he, any
how? We don't know; likely some
| scalawag from Quebec"
perhaps he's prince" said the girl,
laughing.
Prince? Bosh! Where's his mus
tache?" Alphonse stroked his own
carelessly, one arm around Marie's
waist why, he's shaved like priest"
Something peculiar flashed into Ma
rie's eyes. and she looked for mo-
ment inqulringly at Alphonse. "Yes,
i just like priest" she said.
The dance went on. NJ. Camille's
clear, resonant voice rang out over the
heads of the dancers: Ladies' chain
there you go-rlght and left-balancc
to partners promenade ALL" And SC
on. the words bending and INJECTING
to the music like Il song, with here
aud there laughing phrase thrown In
ut stumbling haDitant or pretty
compliment to some blushing girl
whose eyes, as well as her feet. danced
a reply 10 the master of the revels
Never was such music heard in the
parish of Pontiac. Nigord's sun had
gone ont In darkness, and NJ Camille's
was ut high noon Already had Me
dallion made friends with the fiddler
and had become at once NJ. Camille:
lieutenant in the tocund game, for Me
dalton had no vanity, and he knew F.,
man Of parts when he found him unt
loved the man for the parts.
In the third dance Marie took hel
place on a chair beside NJ. Camille
The crowd gave little cheer for her
for them both-before the dance began
ana then they We're all hard ut II, nee
and toe knee ard elbow, warm Shout
der 10 warm shoulder, enjoyment pant