The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-09-18

llItldA VI khC
outdo everything in the way OF balls
that had ever been given IN
the neighborhood. A splendid
pavilion was erected for dancing.
the decorations were magnincent.
everything was as complete as IT could
be, and Mrs. Annesley herself was sat
isfied. Mrs. Annesley, indeed, was IN a
state of devout thankfulness generally
she was even thankful for her nus
band. She felt i~nstinctively sure that
Il was owing to his apparently unop-
servant observation that Captain LIE
Marchant had had no lapse into his
"habit,' and had always passed muster
as a gentleman and officer worthy or
serving the queen.
On the evening OF the ball and just
before 1t, az grand dinner-party was
arranged to take place, at which the
Maharajah was not present. From the
half-open door Of his apartment he saw
Idreana descend the stairs, dressed for
both dinner and ball. and, as he beheld
her. himself unseen, his heart sunk like
an aching weight within him What
was code or caste or anything In the
world compared TO the desire of pos
sessing this ethereal small woman, clad
In her floating white draperies, her gold
hair knotted loosely on her neck, and a
strange scarlet owe at her bosom.
He peered after her, she all unconscious
OF his anguished gaze. then, withdraw
ing himself softly, he closed the door
and covered his eye with his hand,
ashamed of the great tears that forced
their burning way through his lashes,
1.-THE difference of race. the difference
= -1 - hn
muttered. These part man and
woman more than God and Nature
would ever part them."
| That night, when some twenty or
more people sat down to dine at Mrs.
Claude Annesley's Widespread table,
there could naturally be no stint of
wine. The colonel kept a vigilant eye
on Captain LIE Marchant. and judged
him to be drinking moderately. and
keeping well within bounds Before
dessert was quite over. h ladies ad-
journed to the ball pavilion, and Mrs.
Annesley insisted on her husband ac-
companying them, in order to help her
in receiving the already arriving
guests. The Maharajah, attired in a
dazzling glitter Of gold and gems, en-
tered with his attendant and took his
| stat III a. 8AA0Oa SAA0AA " OA S0AAo
pied dais fdr his special honor and &C.
commodation.
The music struck up and the dancing
commenced. At the first sound of the
band all tho other lingerers at the din
ner table came in. Captain LIE Marchant
among them. Colonel Annesley busy
assisting his wife as well as he was
able. glanced at him as he entered. do
cided that he was all right, and took
no further notice Of him. Tho captain
sauntered about aimlessly for q little.
spoke to two or three people, and then
left the ballroom again without his de-
parture being noticed. Dancing was
soon in full swing, and the tide OF swift
motion and merriment rose quickly to
its height. The Maharajah, sitting en-.
throned apart, the flashing jewels he
wore contrasting s~ingularly with his
dark and rather grave features. was
entirely absorbed in watching Mrs La
Marchant dancing. His ardent. SON.
bre yes followed her everywhere as
she floated to and fro, round and
round. light as thistle-down, with. her
different partners, the loose knot OF
glistening hair shining at the back u
her white neck, the scarlet flower like
a flame on her white bosom.
And AS she danced on, he presently
descended from this dais, and stood al
the side of the pavilion in order to
observe her more closely, and also in
the hope that happily her white gown
might touch him In its siivery whirl
for he felt he could not bear to lose
even that possible chance of contact
with her. And by and by he saw a
young su5altern approach her rapidly
and say something 10 her In a
low tone. She turned very pale,
and her eyes seemed to close
then rousing herself. she smiled family
murmured some excuse to her partner
and hurried away. Led by some in
stinct, and careless of what might be
thought of his also absenting himself
the Maharjah followed. He a the
stealthy step of a cat or a panther
and his tread behind her was unheard
She passed out of the ball-paVilion
and along the 1ower-garlanded CORR
dor which divided it from the house
The young subaltern vas with her, and
together they entered Mrs. Annesley's
dining-rorom. There, at the half.
cleared dinner-table, fallen forward In
a sort of stupor. sat Captain lie Mar
chant, with one empty brandy bottle
before him and another a begun
The Maharajah came to a standstill
outside the door-he vas still unheard
and u~nperceived.
Mrs. LIE Marchant went up to the
tumbled heap by the table and put her
little white-gioved hand on its shsoul-
der.
Richard" she said in a trembling
voice, Richard, don't stay here. Dc
come ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS"
h broke off and the young sub.
somewhat distressed, tried what he
could do. He put his wholesome, strong
young arm round the ~disgraceful bun
die before him and said cheerily:
"Halloo. captain! I say, get out of
this, you know! You mustn't go 10
sleep here, they want to lay the sup
per. Get up. there's a good fellow!"
The bundle stirred and raised itself.