The Brunswick daily news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1903-1906, 1903-05-17
THE FALLACT OF
A FACE.

may be Cranfield's one-sided view. 1t
was the night of the Hunt ball and
he leaned against a pillar in the dane
ing room. At no time dancing man,
on this occasion he was excessively
bored; he was out of sorts; the band
was too loud; the crush was too great;
He thought regretfully Of his library
fire, and shiveringly of the long drive
home.
At the end of the room he saw heads
turned toward the door. Following
a 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 a disease.
In a brief space the crowd about the
entrance parted, and his curiosity
melted before another feeling-a feel
ing as rapid IL infinitely more strong.
He closed his eyes; then he readjust-
ed his glass.
1t was Creighton-Tommy Creighton
and his wife. He watched them move
slowly up the room, and as they moved
he felt, rather than heard, the admi-
He took long look; then he leaned
back against the pillar. seeking to re-
alize exactly where he stood.
III you ever fall in love, Cranfield,"
someone had once said, you'll be the
worst case on record, bar none"
The words occurred to him inoppor-
timely. AS a 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-
posterous-grotesque He SHE'D Wig
orously at the shadow of 1t. But not
for an instant did his eyes stray from
Mrs. Creighton's face.
q had seen her before-once be-
t- That point alone wrought self
crust. He had called one day with
Bisherthorpe, and she had given them
tea. His verdict had been, Extremely
pretty. sarcastic, and trlfie 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 tone
that. even to him, was new.
May | have the pleasure?"
She looked up with just tho 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.
." She hesitated and glanced
round for Creighton; but Creighton
had disappeared She smiled again,
and held out her card Il can give you
number Ave-" she said. will you put
down your name?"
He took the card and scrawled his
initials. Then he looked at the obvi-
ously waiting men.
Number six is also free" he said.
May -"
He would not have admitted the
feelings with which he waited for her
reply. He saw the negative trembling
on her lips, and quailed. Then to his
absurdly great relief, the saving smile
came again. and sne blushed.
you may"
The words seemed the frankest and
most delightful ne had ever heard.
There is nothing in the world so vi
vifying as hope. In a single moment
the shifting crowd had become the
universe, and he had found its core.
Like wonderfully deferred dream the
fifth dance came around, and waiting
was at an end.
Mine, think" he said.
She folded her fan, smiled at the
man beside her, then laid her hand on
Cranfield's arm.
"Shall we dancer" he asked.
"Oh! please"
He hid his disappointment, though
his ideas were curiously upset. She
seemed so enthusiastic-so buoyantly
young.
The music had quickened to its end.
when he swung her out of the crush.
His brain WAS still swaying to the beat
OF the tune as he drew her down a
passage to a distant seat. In ten min
utes of companionship she had grown
straight into his life
The carpet of the passage was verv
soft; the light of the hanging lamp
was very dim. 1t seemed to him that he
had only existed until now. He ar
ranged the cushions on the divan, and
she sat down.
do you believe in infatuation?" he
asked suddenly.
He felt afraid of what he was going
to say. He felt that his principles. his
honor-he used the word boldly-all
staple things were drifting from him
like a mirage.
Have you ever heard of a man 60
ing off his head in a single night?" he
asked afresh
She looked up at him; and behind
the uneasiness in her eyes he felt that
she was measuring him inch by inch
I'D like to ask you something" she
said IF you don't mind"
She glanced down, and then once
more glanced up.
Il want you TO tell me your name. :"
He met her gaze in blank surprise
1t was hard to De rebuked; it was in
hrman TO be forgotten-wiped off her
memoly in six weeks.