Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-04-17

Jane, Of course lid not know, SO
we all laughed, L.: usual. upon the
slightest pretext, and Mary, that fair
bundle of contradictions and quick
transitions, stepped boldly up to Bran
don, with her colors flying in her
cheeks ready for the first lesson in the
new dance.
She was little frightened at his arm
around her waist, for the embrace was
new ia. her-the first touch Of man--and
was shy and coy, though willing. bein
determined to learn the dance. 81
was an apt pupil and soon glided sof
~ and graciously around the room wit a
unfeigned delight, yielding to the new
situation more easily as she became
accustomed to 1t.
This dance was livelier exercise than
La Galliard. and Mary could not talk
much for lack Of breath. Brandon kept
the conversation going, though. and she
answered with glances, smiles, mods
and monosyllables, very good vocab-
ulary in its way, and very good way,
too, for that matter.
Once he said something to her In a
low voice, which brought flush to her
cheeks and caused her to glance quick
" up into his face. By the time her
answer came they were nearer US, and
I heard her say: II am afraid shall
have to forgive you again If you are
not careful. Let me see an exhibition
of that modesty you so much boast"
But smile and flash Of the eyes
went with the words and took all the
sting out of them.
After time the dancers stopped, and
Mary, with flushed face and sparkling
eyes, sank into a chair, exclaiming:
1.-THE new dance is delightful, Jane. 1t
is like flying, your partner helps you so.
But what would the king say-and the
queen? She would simply swoon with
horror. 1t is delightful, though" Then,
with more confusion in her manner
| than I had ever before seen, THAT is,
It is delightful If one chooses her part
ner."
This only made matters worse and
gave Brandon an opportunity.
"Dare 1 hope" he asked, with def
erential bow.
"Oh. yes; you may hope. tell you
frankly it was delightful with you.
Now, are you satisfied, my modest one?
Jane, | see we have forward body
here No telling what he will be at
next" said Mary. with evident impa-
thence, rapidly swaying her fan. She
spoke almost sharply, for Brandon's
attitude was more that Of an equal
than she was accustomed to, and her
royal dignity, which was the artificial
part of her, rebelled against 1t now and
then in spite Of her real inclinations.
The habit Of receiving only adulation
and living on pinnacle above every
body else was so strong from continued
practice that it appealed to her as
duty to maintain that elevation. She
had never before been called upon to
exert herself in that direction, and the
situation was new. The servile ones
with whom she usually associated
maintained it for her; so she now felt,
whenever she thought Of 1t, that she
was in duty bound to Chamber back, at
least part of the way, to her dignity,
however pleasant it was personally
down below in the denser atmosphere
Of informally.
In her heart the princess preferred,
upon proper occasions, such as this, to
abate her dignity. and often requested
others to dis ense with ceremony, as in
fact she had done with us earlier in the
evening. But Brandon's easy manner,
although perfectly respectful and ele-
gantly polite, was very different from
anything she had ever known. She
enjoyed it, but every now and then the
sense of her Importance and dignity
for you must remember she was the
first princess of the blood royal-would
supersede even her love of enjoyment.
and the girl went down and the prin-
cess came up. Besides, she half feared
that Brandon was amusing himself at
her expense, and that in fact this was
new sort Of masculine worm. Really
she sometimes doubted if it were a
worm at all, and did not know what to
expect nor what she ought to do.
She was far more girl than princess,
and would have preferred to remain
merely girl and let events take the
course they were going, for she liked
it. But there was the other part of
her which was princess, and which
kept saying, Remember who you are"
SO she was plainly at loss between
natural and artificial inclinations con-
tending unconsciously within her.
Replying to Mary's remark over
James shoulder, Brandon said:
"Your highness asked us to lay aside
ceremony for the evening, and if have
offended can but make for my excuse
my desire to please you. Be sure
shall offend no more" This was said
SO seriously that his meaning could not
be misunderstood. He did not care
whether he pleased SO capricious per
son or not.
Mary made no reply, and it looked as
If Brandon had the worst of it.
We sat few minutes talking, Mary
wearing an air of dignity. Cards were
proposed, and as the game progressed
she gradually unbent again and be-
came affable and familiar as earlier in
the evening. Brandon, however, was
frozen. He was polite, dignified and
deferential to the ladies, but the spirit
of the evening was gone since he had
furnished it all with his free, offhand
manner, full of life and brightness.
After short time, Mary's warming
mood failing to thaw our frozen fun
maker, and in her heart infinitely pre-
! 10 CHI