The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-03-25
A Drecden
Shepherdess
BY F. B. Wright
copyright, 1903, by t. c. Mcclure.

schoolmistress. The children had been
stupid and mutinous and at the worst
time had come a supervisor. to criti
else the lack of discipline. Miss Win
throp was too young, he had said
Perhaps the board should get more
experienced teacher.
What that meant Cicely did not dare
to think, and now, crouched in the
darkness by the garnet window, she
was trying to forget her worries, fol
there was to be a garden party and
masquerade ut the Stonington place
near by. From the window she could
overlook the grounds, all twinkle
with innumerable Japanese lanterns
see the house itself, its lighted porches
its windows lively with many colored
passing figures, and watch the ladies
arriving at the entrance and floating
in like white moths out of the summer
night.
At first 1t was enough just to sit
there, head on sill, watching it all and
hearing the swing and rhythm of the
faint dance music. But little by little
came over her longing to have some
part in the gayety her whole young
spirit craved. She was young too.
She was pretty-as her mirror told her.
She had loved dancing in the old days.
All, those days! They seemed so far
off, and yet only two years separated
them from the present. Now life was
SO different-nO more girlhood, no more
pleasure, no more pretty clothes or
jolly parties. That last one, the one
just before her father died-that had
been bal masque too. The costume
was in her trunk now-as If she would
ever get the chance to wear it again!
And yet, why not? A sudden thought
set her heart humping. Why not go
to this one? Only for a moment. 1t
was masquerade. No one would
know her. She could slip in through
the shrubbery unobserved, mingle with
the crowd and then The plan was
very dazzling to the little girl in the
garnet window.
-
Two hours later Cicely-no, not Cice-
ly, but Dresden china shepherdess-
who had stolen away from her own
life and forgotten all it's cares, found
herself one Of a hundred or two other
gay, fantastic conundrums, who chat
ted, laughed, banded repartee, flirted
in obscure corners, sat on shadow
porches or .glided beneath soft lights
to the dreamy music Of hidden or
chestra.
The life and movement, the kaleido-
scopic play of color, the sheen and
ulster of silk and satin, the CLEAN of
snowy arms and shoulders, the fra
GRANGE of flowers, the admiration Of
her partners, filled the girls heart with
delight, and her courage rose to the
occasion. She was surprised to find
how behind the protection of her mask
she could act her part even as if she,
too, belonged to the party.
Once in the swirl of q waltz she
caught sight of herself in a long mir
ror and doubted her eyes. Could that
be she, that dainty, graceful madcap
with her cheeks flushed, her eyes spar
king through the Sits in her visor,
her hair in golden disorder at her neck
that Cicely Winthrop, with her own
living to make and shabby clothes to
wear? And the music-it seemed to
lift her on its wings and bear her over
the floor rs lightly as any thistledown.
That was what her last partner had
said, cavalier of Charles H., when at
the end of dance they were sitting in
the dimly lighted conservatory.
'Thistledown! / believe that's what
you are, or else fairy. No shepherd
ess could dance as you do, not even
one ont Of Vatican, and besides where
are your sheep? You haven't even one
little innocent snow white lamb!'
1--WE escaped for moment from
them"
"Faithless shepherdess! Aren't you
afraid of wolves?'
"Awfully! One came into the sheep
fold today, very savage one"
"The poor lambs! My heart bleeds"-
ut needn't. They only eat shepherd
nsses.'
"The brutes! Do you have to fight
them single handedW
Cicely nodded. Its hard some
times"
Don't you need an assistant shep-
herd to help? like to kill wolves, and
adore sheep and-shepherdesses."
''You wouldn't If you could see them
rs they really are. The lambs are not
, bit adorable, only stupid and tire
some, and the shepherdess-she'd be
wearing shabby gown and big shoes
md her hair Untitled. No; you'd best
'emain with the court"
"Hang the court! I'd heaps rather
% shepherd. Won't you take me on
rlal?"
There was just note of earnestness
n the cavaliers voice, and Cicely tried
o turn 1t away lightly. II don't think
you would do at all. You are much too
Inc gallant"
II may not be as fine as / SEEM" he
'eturned. II may be something quite
lifferent."
THAT'S It. You might be a wolf, you
know. and then what would happen to
ny flock? No; can't take the risk"
'''The1 when is the shepherdess COM
ng to court again.
Never, I'm afraid. You see, she's
MY allowed one evening of In years,
Ind, besides. she has no court costume.