Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-10-01
SO NEARLY LOST
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By CHARLES GARvIcH

flashed into her heart a feeling of
gratitude to the colonel, that he,
in a fit of generosity, had her taught
dancing.
Eyes, IL you like, but"
mo but" he said. Comet"
A waltz was just beginning, and he
put his arm around her waist and
started.
Though Joan did not know it, her
partner was ore of the best dancers in
Europe.
With a sense of pleasure in the
moment, as the poet says, she resigned
herself to the fecting happiness.
The room and its hot crowd seemed
to disappear; she was conscious only
of the strong arm that supported AMI
guarded her, and surrendered herself
to the ecstasy of the moment.
Gradually couple by couple gave in,
and only half a dozen pairs were
dancing; the rest watching Lord
Villiars and "the girl in cream" as
they seemed to float around the room.
And Joan, lifting her eyes, saw
Julia and EmmeIine standing by the
wall looking at her with envious,
angry glances, but the next moment
she became oblivious of them and all
else save the delight which filled her
whole being.
How beautifully you waltz, Miss
JOAN" murmured Lord Villiars.
Have you learned that-alone-also!"
VERY nearly she said, dreamily.
do not put you out? / do not know
the new waltz, the German, they call
1t, do they not?"
YES" he said But this will do.
and you are not tired?" he murmured,
as the band, seeing the great earl stlll
dancing, began another round.
moi" said Joan. This is my first
dance. and am fresh. But we will
leave off II you like"
moi" he said. 81 wish 1t could go
on for ever"
Joan stopped dead short, and flush
ed.
81 ts--2k am tired now" she said,
quietly.
Lord Villiars bit his lip. He had let
the speech slip out unawares, and it
had frightened her.
She slipped her hand from his
shoulder, and stood with downcast
eyes for a moment, then said:
"Will you take me back to my seat,
please?"
He offered her his arm, but instead
of taking her to the staring group OF
dowagers and chaperons, led her to
the doorway.
You will be stified IL you go and
sit in that hot corner! Come into the
COOL" and he led her into sort or
courtyard formed by the arches of the
old town hall in which the ball was
held.
Joan sat down and drew long
breath Ga relief as the cool air famed
her flushed face. Her heart was beat
ing wildly. with the excitement of the
dance, perhaps, but there still echoed
in her ears his murmured words, Il
wish IL could go on for ever!"
How silent you are!" he said, bend
ing over her. Are you angry with
me, Miss Joan?"
NO" said Joan, slowly.
II am glad Of that | thought you
might me-" he returned. 81 though
had offended you by what said just
now"
He was silent for a moment, then
do you know what l was think
ing?"
Joan shook her head.
II was thinking how differently fate
had treated you and me. My great
complaint is that have exhausted all
the pleasure that there is to be got in
this world, and you-but no. you don't
complain. do you?-and you have had
none. And | was thinking how
should like to be a magician. and wave
a wand and alter Il all for you-how
should like to show you the sunny
side OF life. and all that makes ex-
istence worth having"
Perhaps II you did" said Joan. 1T
would make me really unhappy. You
see, shouldn't like to come back to
the shadow again" And she looked
up at him with smile.
He stood watching her, noting the
play of her beautiful eyes, which
seemed TO mirror every thought-the
movement of her graceful head-the
golden CLEANS of her chestnut hair
shining in the light from the ball
room.
A wild longing was gradually rising
within him: a longing to take her
away from this spot, from the drearv
cliffs, and. worse than their solitude
the society of the two powdered
painted girls and their father. who
tyrannized over her; to take her with
him into the world, and watch those
lovely eyes brighten. those lips curve
with a smile of happiness.
II was a mad. an impossible dream
and he crushed II down; but II rose
again and again as he stood looking Of
the beautiful face, with it's dreamy
/ far-off look