Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-08-23
AFIDDLER OF
FORTUNE D 3
By HARRIET
PEARL SKINNE Err.

when Dorothy Durham entered
the ballroom. She was accompanied
by her aunt, Mrs. Parker Durham, and
as the two paused for an instant in
the doorway, watching the myriads of
dancers go floating by, the girl pre-
scented picture fit for the brush OF
Titan.
She was tall and finely proportional.
Her red-brown hair was piled in
glorious masses, her brown eyes were
flashing with girish excitement, her
cheeks were delicately flushed, and
her whole being was vibrant with pleas
ure and anticipation. She was dressed
In a gown of gauzy white, which left
bare her exquisite arms and throat,
and her only ornament was single
white rose fastened carelessly in her
% auburn hair.
Instantly that she was discovered
mods and smiles greeted her from all
parts of the room, and it was evident
that she was easily the favorite of the
younger set at the lake. Her dances
had all been promised beforehand, so
her card was tossed aside while she
graciously accorded to each of the
young gallants the waltz or deux-
temp he had previously begged.
Never had Dorothy appeared more
joyous and certainly never more beau
tiful than tonight, but this thought
continually thrust itself upon her at
tention:
Just one week of fun, and then
comes Saturday, and-Paul Churchill.
But have this one week of grace, and
shall certainly make the best of the
time"
For Dorothy's father had, upon a re-
cent eastern trip, met with his old
school chum, Henry Churchill, the now
famous New York millionaire, and
they, in the delight of their reunion.
had coneocted a plan whereby they
might cement their lifelong friend
ship, ultimately combine their vast
fortunes, and insure the future well
rare OF their children. A marriage be-
tween Henry Churchill's only son. Paul.
and John Dunhams only daughter.
Dorothy, was arranged, pending only
the consent of the young people, which
the dutiful children would scarcely
1aa to accord. The gentlemen had de-
cided that the twain should meet at
Delavan lake, and Dorothy, who was
motherless, had arrived to-day under
the care of her fathers sister.
"Of course 1 shan't be compelled TO
marry him." thought Dorothy, "but II
i can possibly tolerate him, 1 shall feel
that l must do it for pspa's sake"
Tonight, however, she was deter
mined to forget her impending ordeal
and to enjoy every minute OF the
time.
Suddenly, as with Howard Moore
she waltzed slowly past the musicians
PLATFORM. her eyes met those Of the
uoiinist. For an instant she was spell.
bound as she met that earnest, com.
polling gaze. The color left her cheek
and for the first time In her life she
lost the rhythm of the music
I'VE are out OF time, Miss Dunbar
my fault entirely beg your par
don" --
Her partners words recalled Dor
Othy to herself, and with a quick fiust
she dropped her eyes and whirled avvay
BOLD, yes, very-and presumptueus
perhaps lfttle-but rude, not a bit
His look wasn't even one exactIy O;
Sdmtration, but just of kind of inter
est. Pshaw, what do 1 care what thi,
Addler's glanoes meant He certainl,
plays divinely, though" she medi
tated. assn .ruT} yU.a.s F.. ID.
All about the room Dorothy heert
comments upon the musician and hi
art. o7-" l1-.tit- ,~e~ s'|-
He's new-came to-day. Tremen
dous tone-so much better than Ia,
other onel"
Next morning Dorothy ran acros.
che green sward toward the hotel ten
mia grounds, where three other prett,
Girls In short skirts awaited her
Hurry, Dorothy" called one.
'tA Il had four letters to read sh
spologized breathlessly as she tool
her place. Happening to glance mad
vortently toward the adjoining net
where two men were playing singles