The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-10-16
V.
Continued

ering you do not like him"
Elsie paused an instant, and, look
Ing up with an expression of trust,
said in a low tone, Il am afraid of
him"
"Why?' drawing unconsciously
nearer to her.
Il cannot tell-no, that is not
quite true; I begin, / think, to IN
derstand why"
And will you not tell me?"
"I should rather like to tell you,
but not here"
On Sunday, then, when I bring
you your books?"
mo; l do not want to mention his
name before Madame Weber"
"Is she a friend of his?"
Il am not sure, but it is well to be
cautious"
1T gives me a kind of shock to
think you are obliged to be on guard
In your OWL home"
That will be all over when I am at
WOODBURY."
II wish your father would come
and settle in London; it would be
pleasant and useful for you to have
some English friends"
"It is more likely my father would
settle in America"
Then I should never see you!"
The words had passed his lips be-
fore he could restrain them, and he
watched their effect keenly.
II suppose not" very quietly. II
should be sorry, and my father would
be very sorry
Glynn felt unreasonably irritated.
Was this young, slight, inexperienced
girl stronger than himself, that the
tone in which he was conscious his
words were uttered should in no way
mov her?
The days which interviewed between
Lambert's sudden journey to Dun
kerque and the ball went rapidly
too rapidly. Lambert was grave, but
less detected than previously. He
had the air of a man who had es-
capped from a period of indecision,
and had thoroughly made up his
mind. Glynn, on the contrary, sank
deeper and deeper into the quick
sands of irresolution, and felt each
day more wildly how strong an effort
1t would cost him to tear himself
away.
1t was with an unaccountable i'm
preston that something important,
something decisive would occur be-
fore the evening was over. Glynn
dressed and dined, taking care to be
In the ballroom and near the door in
good time, in order to claim Elsie's
promise Of the first dance on her ar
rival. Madame Davilliers and her
party were rather late, and, to
Glynn's annoyance, she entered the
room leaning on Vincent's arm
Mademoiselle followed, conducted by
The Vicomte, and finally Elsie, lean
Ing on M. Davilliers-Elsie in her
first ball dress, a delicious combina-
tion of white silk and tulle and lace,
with sprays of wild roses, long grass,
and foliage, a delicate wreath of the
same flowers in her hair, and a SIM
pie necklace Of shimmering Venetian
shells round her throat. She looked
a little shy, a little self-conscious,
less composed than usual, and when
she distinguished Glynn's tall figure,
and met his dark, eager, admiring
eyes, she colored suddenly, looking
' away with a smile so sweet, so glad,
that Glynn's heart gave a quick
bound and throbbed with a triumph
ant n of victory, after which
reason gave up the struggle and re-
signed herself to defeat.
This is our dance, Miss Lambert"
said Glynn, after a brief greeting to
the rest of the party, as he took her
hand. But it is a set of %lancers;
would you not like to walk around
and look at the decorations until the
next dance, which is a waltz"
Thank you, 1 should" So Glynn
took her programme and wrote his
own name for several waltzes, pre-
facing each inscription with a per-
suasive May II" Elsie laughingly
restricted the number. But" she
added, with a slight graceful hesita-
ton, IF it does not interfere with
your other dances, might 1 say 1 am
engaged to you if Mr.. Vincent asks
me for a waltz? I must dance with
him, but not a waltz cannot"
Eyes, I will grant your very seri-
GUS request" said Glynn, smiling
down upon her. II shall keep all
waltzes at your disposal, and take
care to be within hail! Is it per-
mitted to a brutal Englishman to say
your toilette is %perfect?"
Il am very glad you think So"
The decorations were duly admired
and then the waltz for which Glynn
had been longing struck up.
Given good music, a first-rate floor,
a partner whose step suits yours, and
waltzing is certainly a pleasant ex-
ercise; but when in addition your
partner is just the very creature that
you have felt tempted over and over
again to clasp in your arms, and pour
out expressions of tenderness and ad-
, miration while your heart throbs
against hers. the pleasure becomes al
most painful.
Glynn. as the hours went rapidly
be, felt his power over himself melt
ing away; there was a soft reserve,
q frequent avoidance of being alone
with him on the part Of Miss Lambert
that famed the long-smouldering
fire of passion into a strong, an ire
sistible glow. Why should be lei
himself be cheated by cold caution