The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-08-20
CHAPTER XI.

going on in the room where Fairfax,
Colonel noring and Mr.. Vernon were
grouped together under such peculiar
circumstances.
Mrs. Vernon and Pauline were alert
and facile hostesses, and as the GUS
tom of the time permitted them a wide
latitude in their method OF entertain
Ing, it was easy for them to make the
most of the occasion.
Everybody felt the charm OF the
place, with its iowery ~vistas, its effect
Of amplitude, its surprises OF light,
shadow, color, perspective and its per-
vading air of generous wealth and
hospitable welcome.
Lieutenant Ballanche could not
have been altogether unaware that he
was one of the chief attractions of the
occasion, yet he showed no sign OF
such consciousness. Everywhere he
was met with smiles and with words
and looks OF approval. This was prob
ably due as much to his military repu-
tation as to his fine form, his c!ear-cut
face and his extreme ease and grace
Of manner.
When ho danced with Mile. Marie
de Sezannes the thought flashed
through the company that never had
q handsomer couple been seen in New
Orleans society.
Mademoiselle de Sezaunes was a
dark brunette, tall, stately and of
superb form, with the perfect skin,
teeth and eyes which have always
made creole beauty so distinctive and
emphatic. She was richly dressed.
with just enough Of dark scarlet show
ing in her gown to contrast excellently
with her complexion. She was loaded
with jewels till she glittered like a
savage princess, but her manner was
exquisitely refined and modest. Tall
as Lieutenant Ballanche was, Made
moiselle de Sezauues's head rose
above his shoulder as she leaned on
his arm.
Paulire had been dancing with q
short, dark-eyed young man, who was
now telling her what a friend her
father had been to him. The reader,
being present, would have recognized
this gentleman at a glance as n OF
our acquaintances Of the Pearl River
woods, known in history as John A.
Murrell, but passing upon the present
occasion as Wilfred Parker, son Of a
rich Tennessee farmer. They stood
for q brief space near the festooned
railing of the stairway, and Parker's
quick restless eyes soon singled out
Mademoiselle de Sszannes and Lien
tenant Ballanche.
"Your pardon, but who is the young
lady on the ~lieutenant's arm?" he in
quired in his brusque but fairly modu-
lated voice.
1t is one of my sweetest friends.
It is Mademoiselle Marie de Sezan-
les."
"She is superbly beautiful"
eyes, every one says so; and she is
as good as she is lovely"
"Her face shows that. The lieu
tenant looks as if he were in love with
her. All. What is tho licuteu-
ants name?"
"Ballanche. He is the famous
young Indian fighter. He was with
General Jackson"
"These fighting men make their
way easily with the young ladies. 1
wish 1 knew how to fight"
Lieutenant Ballanche thinks that
we may have fighting here"
"Not tonight"
"You choose to make light on avery
serious subject, I fear. He says that
the British are going to attack New
Orleans"
eff that is the case, I shall set out
for Tennessee in the morning. 1t
makes me nervous to think Of dan
ger"
Pauline looked at him to see whether
he was chatting or speaking seriously.
Although he met her eyes with a bold,
almost boyishly frank gaze, there was
something in his face that troubled
her.
He laughed, and said that he did
not think there was any danger OF an
attack being soon made.
The lieutenant came up with Made
moiselle de Sezannes on his arm.
Both were evidently in high spirits.
Pauline presented Wilfred Parker,
and then some duty called her away.
When the eyes of the two men met
it was like flint meeting steel, 80 cold
did they appear and so sharply flew
out the commonplaces of polite but
meaningless intercourse. Parker very.
much desired a further acquaintance
with Mademoiselle de Sezannes; for ne
understood at a glance that she was rich
as we'll as beautiful. Ballanche had
no thought of permitting the young
lady to leave his side 80 long as he
could hold her.
Parker saw this, or felt it. and at
once drew upon his OF bold
ness and enterprise. Self-reliance
was ine1haustible in him, and he al
ways had an e1pedient which just
fitted an e~xigency. Mademoiselle de
III IL