The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-05-17

1S~S1 dance. Evelyn:
with pleasure. I'll
EO7I never get through the eve
l9A @Nl ming if 1 dance every one
as Eve been doing. Where shall we
sit?'
There are the stairs"
"Frightfully draughty, and no good
for connected talk. Somebody with
profuse apologies is always moving up
pnd down them. Let's SIT in that little
Acove. We get the fresh air there,
md can watch the dancers"
Cecil Hammond gave the girl his
arm, and they crossed to the place she
had indicated. He liked Evelyn Hind
lev, not only from a sense Of duty be-
cause she was his fiancee's sister, but
for her own sake, too. When he first
= became engaged to Constance, the eld-
er of the two girls, he had small idea
that he was to acquire so bright and
interesting a sister-in-law. Three
months after his own engagement he
heard with great satisfaction that his
friend, Norman Payne, had proposed
to and been accepted by Evelyn.
Payne and he, planning double we'd
ding some day, had drunk the health
of each others future bride.
you're rather quiet tonight, Cecil.
Perhaps you'd prefer Constance to be
here instead of me-"
Not in the least! I've danced with
her three times already, and"
That's about her allowance. eh?
Evelyn looked at him with roguish
smile.
Il didn't mean that, but people think
it silly if engaged couples dance fire.
quently together. It's by Constance's
express wish that I am limiting the
number"
"Just like Constance. She always
keeps stern eye on what's proper. l
wonder how you and she will hit it
when you're married"
Really, Evelyn, do I say or Go very
improper things:"
"No, but you're far less serious than
she is. There, Cecil, don't look so glum
about it. Of course you'll assimilate
beautifully-as nicely as Norman and
I will. It would be monotonous
world if people didn't fall in love with
their opposites sometimes"
The girl spoke lightly, but a certain
uneasiness, not to be dismissed at
once. entered Cecil's mind. 1ndisputa-
bly he loved Constance. but it was
strange that in her presence he was
frequently tongue-tied, while with
EVELYN conversation maintained with
out difficulty constant flow. Some
times he wished Constance would
think less and talk more-neXt moment
he found himself angrily dismissing
such a desire. Constance possessed
more sterling qualities than conversa-
tional ones. Constance was perfect.
The land be gan popular waltz, and
one after another the couples took the
floor. From their post Of vantage Cecil
and Evelyn watched the animated
scene. It was no ordinary suburban
hop" limited in point Of numbers, but
an annual affair organized by their
large and sociable tennis club. and
everybody seemed to be on the best of
terms with one another.
"See, there's Constance dancing with
Norman Evelyn exclaimed. "We've
got cueerly divided up. She's smiling
at US and shaking her head, and Nor
man is looking. too. They proba: l-'
think that we're both very lazy"
"Neyer mind. We've thoroughlJ
earned a rest. How we'll they keep
STEP"
Il was just noticing +hat - better
than you and Constance do"
You're in miscLievous mood to-
night. Evelyn. But you're quite right.
Somehow Con AM. I never get into
quite the proper swing together. I'm
always aware Of little awkwardness
in twirling her round
What do you say to our having
few steps together? The oance must
be nearly over
Il shall be delighted"
They moved out into the hail and
commenced to revolve.
why did you suddenly change your
mind, Evelyn?"'
Il don't know. The music. is so
pretty. for one thing. Is it difficult to
twirl me round:'
Cecil laughed.
"Not in the least! We seem to have
got into the swing directly. 1 wonder
why I can't accomplish it with Con-
stance"
Shall I tell you why? It's because
you're engaged to her. Being engaged
makes one so fearfully self-conscious.
I feel when I'm dancing with Norman
that the eyes of the whole room are
upon us, and that all our movements
are being criticised.'
Cecil and Evelyn had made three cir
cles of the hall before the quickened
speed of the music announced the ter
mination of the waltz. They kept on,
however. till the very last note was
given out in blatant fashion by the cor