The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-07-24
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The princess stood rrcsolute for a
moment in evident hesitation and an
! noyancc.
"You are grieving because 1 think
you bold. And yet you stand there
laughing at me to my face. l think so
more than ever now. know It, Oh,
! you make me angry! Don't! l do not
like persons who anger me and then
| laugh ut me-" This turned Brandon's
smile into II laugh, which he could not
hold back
Mary's eyes shot fire, and she stamp
ed her foot, cNclaiming: "Sir, this goes
beyond all bounds. l will not tolerate
your boldnCss another moment" 1
thought she was going to dismiss him,
but she did not. The time had come
when he or she must be the master.
1t was battle royal between the
forces on the floor, and enjoyed it and
felt that Brandon would come out all
right.
lie said good humorcdly: What!
Shall you have all the laugh in your
sleeve at my expense? DO YOU expect
to bring me here to win wager for
YOU made on the assumption Of my
stupidity and lack of social accom-
piiShmcnts and then complain when IL
comes my turn to laugh? | think am
the one who should be offended, but
YOU see | am not
"CaskOdGn, did you tell himY" de-
mandcd Mary, evidently referring to
the wager.
lie said not word of it," broke In
Brandon, answering for me- 'I should
have been dullard indeed not to have
seen 1T myself after what you said
| about the loss of your 10 crowns. SO
let us cry quits and begin again."
Mary reluctantly struck her flag.
Very well, l am willing" she said
lauGhingly; "but, rs to your boldncss.
| still insist upon that. I forgive Won.
however, this time" Then, half apollo.
Ectically, after all, it Is not such
SrlcVouS charge to make. l believe II
never yet injured any man with wom-
en-. They rather like it, l am afraid.
however angry it makes them. Don't
they, JancI"
Jane, of course did not know, so
we all laughed, rs usual, upon the
slightest prctcNt, and Mary, that fair
bundle of contradictions and quick
transitions, stepped boldly up to Bran
don, with her colors flying In her
checks, ready for the first lesson In the
new dance.
She was little frightened Mt his arm
around her waist, for the embrace was
new to her-thc first touch OF mnn-and
was SHY and coy, though willing being
determined to learn the dance. She
was an apt pupil and soon glided soft
~ and graciously around the room with
unfeigncd delight, yielding to the new
situation more easily rs she became
accustomed to 1t.
This dance was livclier exercise than
La Galliard. and Mary could not talk
much for lack Of breath. Brandon kept
the conversation going, though, and she
answered with glanccs, smiles, mods
and monosyllablcs, n very good vocab-
ulary in its way, and very good way,
too, for that matter.
Once he said something to her in n
low voice, which brought a flush to her
checks and caused her to glance quick.
ly up into his face. BY the time her
answer came they We're nearer us, and
heard her say: 81 am afraid | shall
have to forgive you again II you are
not careful. Let me see an exhibition
OF that modesty you so much boast"
But smile and Il 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 Il chair, exclaiming:
"Thc 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 l had ever before seen, THAT is,
| 1t Is delightful If one chooses her part.
| ner."
This only made matters worse and
gave Brandon an opportunity
"Darc l hopeT he asked, with n def
erential bow.
"Oh, yes; you may hope. tell you
frankly 1T 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 Brandons
attitude was more that of an equal
than she was accustomed to. and her
royal dignity, which was the artificial
part of her, rebcllcd against it now and
then I'm spite of her real inclinations.
The habit OF receiving only adulation
and living OH Il pinnacle above every
body else was so strong from continued
practice that it appealed to her rs q
| 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 Ii, that she