The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-21
CHAPTER X.
A DANCE FOR A LIFE.

A DANCE FOR A LIFE.
Tho proposition was received with
Shouts of approval
"Yo' don't mean yo' kin dancer
s'Reckon."
Good gall Clar the way 70 dance!"
''yo' niger. tune that banjo! IT'S
lucky To- yo' yo' got 4, strings an all. er
we'd "a made strings outen yer hide"
The camp was on a circular piece or
hard ground so cut of from the sun by
surrounding trees and bushes that no
grass grew. The few scattered sprouts
were soon cleared away. Ginger sat
down on the log which lay near by.
twanged his banjo. tightening or loosen
ing string, and then gave preliminary
flourish.
Jaqueline took OF her sunbonnet. threw
Il few feet away and stepped on TO
the clearing. There were mingled fear
and defiance In her face that set my
heart to fiuttering. Though did not
know she was carrying out a preconcerted
plan, somehow II got into my head that
she was about TO dance for my liberty
I'm other words. for my life. The thought
maddened me. An impulse seized me TO
throw Off the mask and defy the whole
band. Helen. seeing the desperate resolve
expressed I'm my face, gave me look.
that recalled me TO a sense or my help
lessness.
Jaqueline began sailing about, keep
ing time TO Ginger's music, moving hither
and thither with uncertain steps, as
bird will fit back and forth before dart
ing away In its flight, or as a musician
will sweep his fingers over harp before
beginning his melody Gradually the
music grew quicker. and Jack. gathering
confidence, forgot everything but the
dance.
Since the entry OF the two girls into
the camp had suffered one terror after
another in quick succession. and now IL
struck me that in case Jack succeeded
In fascinating this lawless group some
OF them, fired with a desire Of possession.
would break through all restraint / had
been wonderstruck that two defenceless
girls should dare TO come among them,
and now 4 was stupefed that Jack should
dance before them and that Helen should
permit her TO do so. But who shall meas
ure the strength OF woman's weakness?
Mother Nature had taught Jack and
Helen their power, and they went about
their work with not n tithe OF the fright
that possessed me-
Meanwhile Jaqueline had drifted into
the dance and was whirling. bending.
floating. every muscle alive with its es-
peciai motion. At times she would lull.
a fitful wind. start again with renewed
fervor. At no time could there be dis
covered aught but delicate refinement In
her movements, and now II was her pur-
pose TO attract without exciting her spec
tators Stimulated by frequent bursts OF
applause and by the rapt attention OF
the men surrounding her, she found her
main incentive In a far deeper, nobler
motive, feeling, as she did. the critical
situation. the dread responsibility, for
human life resting upon her.
What n singular scene The ring OF ugly
faces momentarily softened by the sight
of grace and beauty: the captain. his
sharp face turning with the dancer and
following her wherever she. goes; Pete
Halliday, standing with folded arms.
lowering from under the broad brim OF
his sombrero grinding his quid: Ginger's
black face cleaning with pride at furnish
ing the music for his young mistress, In
spring her with his own inspired melody;
little Buck. standing between two lank
guerrillas in 'butternut" staring at his
cousin and forgetful OF her danger In his
interest In her work; Helen Stanforth.
standing apart. her strong face wearing
the expression OF a general who watches
a cavalry charge Intended TO turn a posi-
ton on which hangs the fate of the day.
The guerrillas. not one OF whom would
hesitate to slit a throat at the slightest
prospect of gain were watching the little
soubrette not only with admiration, but
with respect. Once during her perform
ance one of the men applauded with
ribald remark He was standing by the
captain, who stretched his arm, brought
II down with backward stroke and sent
the man sprawling. Jaqueline saw the
act and the approving looks OF the out
lava who were I'm no mood to have their