The Montgomery tribune., 1909-12-31

| the colored lanterns suspended along
| the balcony roof A sudden rocket
went swiftly and sizzling up from out
| the center of the great plaza below,
and my eyes followed its swift flight
into the black sky until 1t burst into
a thousand miniature stars.
When / turned once again, now half
inclined to beckon waiter and order
the serving of dinner, newly arrived
company of guests had taken posses
sion of the small round table just
within the open window. Three were
in the party, apparently father, moth
er and daughter, beyond question of
high social class. Paterfamilias, sit
ting in stately dignity at what might
be considered the head of the board,
broad napkin spread across his right
knee, was typically aristocratic, of
| spare figure, stern lean face, with iron
gray hair, and mustaches trimmed to
perfect point, his eyes, cold and
emotionless, cleaning like steel points
behind gold-rimmed glasses-a man
certainly over so, possessing to the
extreme that irritating hauteur pos
sible only to an Englishman of recog-
nized family and position. The lady
occupying the seat opposite him, whom
naturally presumed to be his wife,
was fieshy enough to own. an ample
double chin, which dropped to vaster
expanse below; most extensively
gowned, her fingers laden with dia-
monds, and a lorgnette at her eye,
through which she deliberately sur
veyed the assembled company. Her
evident attempt at duplicating the
calm haut-ton of her emotionless com.
panion was nevertheless somewhat of
counterfeit, as 1t failed to conceal
wholly slight twinkle of amusement
curving the corners of her mouth, and
a certain slight vulgar uneasiness of
manner. His ideal was evidently that
Of a marble statue, cold, immaculate,
his slightest movement revealing the
frigidity of one born to the purple,
while my lady retained some SEM
blance to flesh and blood, although
we'll veneered by long social artifice.
He was nature, while she had evident.
ly been developed by skill; yet the
matron, to my thinking, proved far the
more interesting specimen of the two
/ must confess, however, wasting
precious little attention upon either
: for my eyes early rested upon the
! younger woman seated between the
two, and hence directly confronting
me. l will not say never saw fair
er picture of womanhood just when
the lovely flower becomes a blossom
fully blown, yet assuredly none other
ever possessed for me the same in
, ! definable fascination, the same in
, effable charm. Twenty-Five, possibly
l although her age was difficult to guess
with oval face and clear, fresh skin
! the rich, red blood of perfect health
= crimsoning the rounded cheeks; eyes
of deepest, darkest gray, the kind Of
g eyes pledging a thoughtful soul be
!. hind to yield them such rare power o.
l expression; face rejecting the JOY
. of living, yet responsive, and, in mo
i ments of quietness, saddened beyond
u its years; an enhancing dimple visible
in the rather broad chin; the lips
/ moist and rosy with health, sufficiently
parted to reveal tantalizing glimpse
L of white, regular teeth behind; the
+ forehead low and broad, the wealth O
shadowing hair of darkest brown, ye
with an odd gleam of reddish golt
causing the gathered masses to seen
an aureole of beauty. But 1t was no
. the outward face alone, nor any com
bination of pleasing features, which
e yielded such rare and indescribablt
charm-it was rather a distinct an,
unusual personality which gave Il
IT these both life and attractiveness. He
s slightest glance or movement, natura
II and unaffected, seemed a new revela
s. ton of self, the outer expression of ;
d secret inward life which instinctivel,
It longed to penetrate, the guarded mys
l. terry of which was invitation.
IS The three conversed little, speaking
d English with that lack of restrain
d common to those who have been &C
% customed to having discreet servant
r behind their chairs, the man grum
o bling icily over the quality of food ful
l. nished and the Indifferent service, m,
5, lady commenting with audible distinct
l. ness on the personal appearance o
ID the various people present, the gir
9, contenting herself with an occasiona
h monosyllable when directly addressed
n I dispatched my own order, and, Will
s. idly waiting the return of the servant
a. had my attention attracted toward
n group gathered about a second tabl
Of just beyond the one occupied by tn
10 English family party.
le (To BE CoNTINUED)
8. "