Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1903-05-07
THE FALLACY or
a FACE.

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Cranfield holds that the beginning
Of his courtship was unique; but that
may be Cranfeld's one-sided view. 1t
was the night Of the Hunt ball and
he leaned against pillar IN the dane
ing room. At no time dancing man,
on this occasion he was excessively
bored; he was cut Of sorts; the band
was too loud; the crush was too great;
He thought regretfully Of his library
fire, and shiyeringly Of the long drive
home.
At the end of the room he saw heads
| turned toward the door. Following
! very human impulse, he turned his
own in the same direction. He was IN
quisitive, but the desire to know IS
! quite as infectious as disease.
In brief space the crowd about the
entrance parted, and his curiosity
melted before another feeling-a feel
| ing as rapid if infinitely more strong.
He closed his eyes; then he readjust-
ed his glass.
| 1t was eighton-Tommy Creighton
and his wife. He watched them move
slowly up the room, and as they moved
! he felt rather than heard, the adml-
ration that hummed in their wake.
He took long look; then he leaned
back against the pillar, seeking to re-
| alize exactly where he stood.
eff you ever fall in love, Cranfeld,"
| someone had once said, you'll be the
worst case on record, bar none
! The words occurred to him inoppor-
tunely AS man he was not excep-
tional; but there were things at which
he drew the line. Making love to
married woman, curiously enough,
came first on the prescribed list. The
feelings that surged through him as he
let the pillar support him were largely
made up of fear The thing was pre-
observation-disclosures He SHE'D Wig
orously at the shadow of it. But not
for an instant did his eyes stray from
Mrs, Creighton's face.
He had seen her before-once be-
fore. That point alone wrought self
Bisherthorpe. and she had given them
tea. His verdict had been, Extremely
pretty sarcastic, and a trifle cold.'
He screwed in his eyeglass and leaned
still further back He saw Creighton
introduce four men. Then his control
gave way. He forced an opening in
the crowd; but when he reached her
side and spoke, his voice had a tone
that, even to him, was new.
MAY I have the pleasure?'
She looked up with just the faintest
surprise. Then her eyes fell On the
facings of his red coat, and she smiled
the friendliest and most perfect
smile he had ever seen.
Il She hesitated and glanced
round for Creighton; but Creighton
had disappeared. She smiled again
and held out her card. Il can give you
number five" she said. will you put
down your name?''
He took the card and scrawled his
initials. Then he looked al the obvi-
ously waiting men.
Number six is also Free" he said
''May IL"
He would not have admitted the
feelings with whicn he waited for bel
reply. He saw the negative trembling
On her lips, and quailed Then to his
absurdly great relief, tGe saving smile
came again, and sle blushed.
"You may"
The words seemed the frankest ant
most delightful ne had ever heard.
There is nothing in the world so vi
vifying as hope. IN single momen
the shifting crowd had become tn
universe, and he had found it's core
Like a wonderfully deferred dream tn
, fifth dance came around, and waitiu,
was at an end.
mine, l Think he said.
She folded Ter fan, smiled at tn
, man beside her, then laid her hand o.
Cranfeld's arm.
"Shall we dance?" he asked.
''Oh! please.
He hid his disappointment, thoug
his ideas were curiously upset Sh
| seemed so enthusiastic-sO buOyantl
| young.
The music. had quickened to it's enc
when he swung her out of the crust
His brain was still swaying to the bea
CT the tune as he drew her down
j, | roccopo IN distant seat In ten min