The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-07-24

when she looked up to Brandon with q
laugh in her brown eyes and curving
smile just parting her full, red lips
that man would give his very luck to
but had better stop
"Was there ever Il goodlier couple ?''
/ asked Jane, by whose side sat.
Never" she responded as she played,
ana, strange to say, | was Jealous be-
cause she agreed with me. | was jcal-
Gus because / feared it was Brandon's
beauty to which she referred. That I
thought would naturally appeal to her.
Had hc been less handsome should
perhaps have thought nothing of it,
but | knew what my feelings were to.
ward Mary, and | Judged, or rather
misjudgcd, Jane by myself. | sup
posed. she would think Of Brandon as
l could not help thinking of Mary.
Was anything in heaven or earth ever
so beautiful as that royal creature
dancing there, daintly holding up her
Z skirts with thumb and first finger, Just
far enough to show n distracting little
foot and ankle and make one wish he
had been born sheep rather than a
senticnt E.an who had to live without
Mary Tudor? Yet, strange rs it may
seem, was really and wholly in love
with Jane. In fact, I loved no one but
Jane, and my feeling of intense admi-
ration for Mary was but a part Of
mans composite Inconsistency.
\ woman-God bless hcr!-if she real
~ loves man, has no thought Of any
othcr-one at a time is all sufficient
but man may love one woman with
the warmth Of simOom and at the
same time feel like q good, healthy
south wind toward dozen others
That Is the difference between n man
and woman-the difference between
the good and the bad. One average
woman has enough goodness in her to
supply an army of men.
Mary and Brandon went on dancing
long after Jane was tired of playing.
1t was plain to sec that the girl was
thoroughly enjoying it. They kept up
running fire of small talk and laugh
cd and smiled and bowed and courtc.
sled, all In perfect time ana grace.
1t Is more difficult than you may
think, If you have never tried, to keep
up conversation and dance La Gal
liard ut the same timc-one Is apt to
balk the other. But Brandon's dancing
was as easy to him as walking. and, al
though so small matter, I could see Il
raised him vastly in the estimation of
both girls.
'DO you play triumph?" I heard Ma.
ry ask In the midst Of the dancing.
"Oh, yes" replied Brandon, much to
my delight, as the princess threw a
mischicvous, knowing glance over her
shoulder to see If I had heard. She at
once saw l had, and this, Of course,
settled the wager.
And" continued Brandon, 81 also
play the new game, honor and ruff,
which Is more interesting than tri-
umph."
"Oh, do you?" cried Mary. "That
Will more than compensate for the loss
of my 10 crowns. Let us sit down ut
once. | have been wishing to learn,
but no one here seems to know it. In
France, they say, it is the only game
| suppose there Is where you learned
1t. Perhaps you know their new dances
too. have heard they are delightful"
Eyes, know them" replied Brandon.
why, you are perfect treasured!
Teach me at once! How, now, master
OF the dance? Here is your friend ou&-
doing you in your own line"
~ am glad to hear it," I returned.
"If Lady Jane will kindly play some
lively air written in the time of The
Sailor Lass will tea ch the Lady Ma
ry the new Dance" said Brandon.
Jane threw one plump little knee over
the other and struck up The Sailor
Lass" After she had adjusted the
| playing to Brandon's suggestion he
stepped deliberately i'm front of Mary
| and, taking her right hand in his left
| encircled her waist with his right arm
| The girl was startled ut first and drew
away. This nettlcd Brandon a little.
| and he showed 1t plainly.
II thought you wished me to teach
you the new Dance" lie said.
81 do, but-but did not know it was
danced that way" she replied, with a
futtering little laugh looking up into
his face with half shy, half apologct-
ic manner and then dropping her lashes
before his gaze
"Oh, well"' said Brandon, with n
Frenchman's shrug of the shoulders,
and then moved off as If about to leave
the floor.
"But Is that really the way you
they dance it-with your-their arm
around my-a lady's waist"
81 should not have dared venture up
OH such n familiarity otherwise" an
swercd Brandon, with n glimmcr OF
smile playing around his lips and hid
ing in his eyes.
Mary saw this shadowy smile and
said: "Oh, l fear your modesty will
cause you hurt. l am beginning to be-
lieve you would dare do anything you
wish. l more than half suspect You
are very bold man, Notwithstanding
your smooth, modest manner"
You do me foul wrong, assure you.