Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-04-04

AIeE Ahto MS DlaCh DOCKS Al mat mo-
ment
Il shall play for you gladly" con-
tinued Sir Charles, Il have some
slight skill at the harpsishord."
mo. will have Deborah play" said
Ellen determinedly.
What would Elder Brewster say II
he heard me playing at a dance" re-
monstrsted Deborah family.
He would say" returned Ellen.
that you we're backing up a compa-
triot for the honor Of America. / wish
70 show these"-there was a percep-
uble pause-''iadies Rnd"-anotherp per
ceptible pause-"gentlemen, that I
know something Of the arts and
graces upon which they pride them
selves. and I am sure you won't fail
me"
What shall Il be-" said the help
less Deborah as Seton led her 20 the
harpsichord.
Yankee Doodlei" cried Ellen.
Damned rebel tunei" muttered the
duke under his breath in an aside.
But madam" said Lady Cecily
incautiously. you can't dance 10 such
a tune as that"
Your British friends did Il many
a time. in America, at Saratoga. at
Yorktown and various other places TO
that same tune" returned Ellen tsrtly.
"HOl hoi" chuckled the irrepressi-
bic Athelstrong. "a hit very palp-
able hit madam"
You are surely not going 10 at
tempt 20 make a spectacle Of yourself
before these our friends" remonstrat-
ed Darlington in low tone OF voice
But Ellen had the bit between her
teeth
That's as may be. my lord. Debbie,
strike up"
Feebly, disconnectedly. brokenly at
first, Deborah began the familiar tune.
but presently she caught the spirit
OF the thing and "a she was really a
brilliant performer. the gay, audacious.
rollicking little air rang out IN the
room.
Ellen seized her skirts. lifted them
high enough 10 disclose her prettily
shod foot and ankles and broke into
shades OF Lulli,-a sailors horn
pipe. She danced Il with the spirit
and abandon OF the youngest and
most reckless blue jacket. Her feet
Jew back and forth making a merry
clicking on the hard wood floor There
were glimpses OF flashing buckles and
scarlet hose and dashes OF white pet
ticoat In a magnificent whirl OF reck-
less gaiety
Darlington stood with cIinched
hands and lowering brows for a mo-
ment while Strsthgate. Outward aud
Athelstrong crowded closer and stared
hard. Even the duchess and Mrs. Mon
brsnt joined the circle There was
great clapping OF hands and much
shouting OF Bravo" 90 encourage the
danseuse while the performance last
ed. Surely IL was spectacle which
few OF them had ever seen enacted
In the drawingroom OF a baron s
castle with the hostess in the leading
part and the dead and gone Caring
tons who had overlooked from the
picture gallery 20 the walls might well
have turned over in their graves az
the sight. Lady Cecily stood with
brows appraised, a malignant sneer on
her face. Even Seton who had been
lowering over Deborah at the harpsi
chord turned 70 look.
Presently Darlington. unable 20 sus
tain the sight any longer, turned and
beckoning TO Lady Cecily ceremoni
ously offered her his arm and the two
disappeared through the doorway lead
ing into the hall.
The spirit seemed to go out oil
Ellen's dancing as Darlington left the
I room, for her steps faltered and the1
Deborah turned and found Seton:
back fair aud square to her shoulder
and the music suddenly ceased. The
men crowded around Lady Ellen OF
fering congratulations.
You've a fortune in your heels
Lady Darlington" said the duke
"Covent Garden would pay you a pref
~ penny every night for such a show