The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-03-01
Ladu Moon
Bp 4. II. DAVIES OGDEN
Copuiott, 1906. by Ruby Douglas

soft laughter and waving Of many fans,
the glitter and glow Of diamonds be-
spoke the fact that Lady Cheynemore
had thrown open Little Darlington
House for the celebrated tableaux of
which all London bad been talking for
the week past
The greatest beauties Of the season
were to pose, wen known artists had
consented to arrange and drape their
lovely models. and "e~erybody@ was
there.
Near the door, q little out & the
crush, Nigel Ans1uthee stood and
looked about him with the eyes Of
the man to whom London sights have
been strange for the last SIX years
he was little amused and q little
bored Society functions were not
much in hts line. Just back from In
dia ON leave, he had run up to town to
see one OF two old friends. and Homo
ria Derwentwater, having no spare
moment to grant him from her other
guests, had suggested his coming ON to
Lady Cheynemore'a.
It was rather q nuisance, but he
wanted to get back to the country next
morning If possible. And, after all,
the color, the lights, the pretty women.
were not so bad Presently he must
find Honoria and ask the question that
this afternoons crowd bad rendered
impossible to put It was expected OF
him, he supposed. His people had al
ways hoped for It And then all at
once, by q sudden freak Of the imag-
ination, as he glanced about for the
fair English face there rose before him
the laughing, mischievous eyes Of the
little American girl who had teased,
bewildered and thoroughly enchanted
him during those few brief weeks In
Simla. Where was she now?
Involuntarily his thoughts wandered
back. to the day when he had seen her
first, dainty and sweet In fluffy white,
sitting under q marquee at the vice:
roy's reception. She seemed such a lit
tie thing that he started in surprise
when she complained Of being unable
to secure a really good riding horse.
The hands she held out for inspection
were absurdly small Still doubtful, he
had yet managed to get for her the
best woman's mount to be had in Sim
Ia. But the first minute she was up his
misgivings vanished. She certainly
could ride.
After that every day they were out
together exploring the hills, trotting
gayly over the smooth, hard roads,
Mrs. Wharton, only too glad that Ethel
had found some one to go with her,
consenting willingly. And every day
Anstruthers admiration deepened. If
there was one thing he approved most
it was a good seat
The girls father was dead, and she
and her mother, frail but fndomita-
BILE spirited woman, were leisurely see-
ing the world. After sitting in Bonn
| bay, they had run up to Simla for the
breezes and fingered on, pleased with
the queer little town and the Anglo
Indian life. 1t was quite gay at that
| season. Simla was full, and every day
there were dinners, luncheons, teas and
| picnics-
Would Anstruther ever forget the
moonlight picnic he gave? The night
had been glorious. Under the soft glow
Of an Indian moon the hills lay mistily
radiant, every leaf on the deodars
seeming to stand out with vivid life.
Ethel Wharton and Anstruther with
several others had gone on horseback,
| the rest Of the party in rickshaws with
coolies to carry the provisions. The pic
mic had been a great success. And then
came the ride home. By a mutual
! though unspoken impulse Anstruther
! and Ethel had dropped back Of the
others. Both were conscious Of a GER
tain exaltation of mood, vague ex-
citement due to the influence Of the
moon-perhaps. Gradually their talk,
at first animated and quick, slackened
| to monosyllables and at last died
| away.
For several moments they rode on in
silence; then, as If oppressed by the
stiffness, the girl began to sing. TO
| music Of her own she had Sc. some
words by George Macdonald: Lady
Moon, Lady Moon, where are you row.
ing? Over the sea. Lady Moon, Lady
Moon, whom are you loving? All who
love me-"
Anstruther, listening, was aware Of a
| sudden pang. Was she going over the
sea? Would she be going home?
Lady Moon," he began unsteadily.
"Ah, that Is you-so white, so fair, so
perfect! And you, too, will pass from
us! What shall we do without your
| light?
The girl glanced at him quickly.
LADY Moon, Lady Moon, whom are
you loving?" she hummed- Anstruther,
| his heart suddenly beating fast, leaned
forward.
"Do you mean that?' he demanded
tensely. "Do you love those who love
you? For you know that l. Ethef'-
as something in the girls face made
his pulses leap. But the great crimson
| uovos flooding nm over brow and