Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-10-23
- 49, - --------.
A DRESDEN
SHEPHERDESS.
The Wolf That Saw Her and
Made Her His Own.
~ r. 9. WRIGHT.

ycnOOlmtStreSS. Il ne Chhuteh H"H 49,
stupid and muiinous and at the worst
time had come a supervisor 10 cfiti-
Else the lack OF discipline. Miss WIN
throp was too young. he had said
Perhaps the board should get more
experienced teacher.
What that meant Cicely did NOT dnre
20 think, aud now, crouched III Inc
darkness by the garrett window. she
was trying to forget her worries. for
there were 20 be a garden part and
masquerade at the Stoningtop pace
near by. From the window she cohiu
overlook the grounds. all a-twinkie
with innumerable japanese lanterns;
see the house itself, its lighted porches,
It's windows lively with many colored
passing figures, and watch the ladies'
arriving Mt the entrance and floating
IN like white moths out Of the summer
night.
At first it was enough just to sit
there, head on sill. watching 1t all and
hearing the swing and rhythm or the
faint dance music. But little by little
came over her longing to have some
part In the gayety her whole young
spirit craved She was young too.
She was pretty, as her mirror told
her. She had loved dancing In the old
days All, those days! They seemed
so far Off, and yet only two years sep
arated them from the present. Now
life was so different-no more girlhood,
no more pleasure. no more pretty
clothes or jolly parties. That last one.
the one just before her father died
that had been bal masque too. The
costume was in her trunk now-as II
she would ever get the chance to wear
Ii again.
And yet why not? A sudden thought
set her heart humping. Why not go
to this one? Only for moment. 1t
was masquerade. No one would
know her. She could slip In through
the shrubbery unobserved. mingle with
the crowd and then The plan was
very dazzling to the little girl In the
garnet window.
Two hours later Cicely-no, not Cice-
", but a Dresden china shepherdess-
who had stolen away from her own
life and forgotten oil Its cares. found
herself one of hundred or two other
CAV. fantastic conundrums. who chat
ted, laughed. banded repartee, firted
in obscure corners, sat on shadow
porches or glided beneath soft lights
to the dreamy music OF a hidden or
chestra.
The life and movement, the kalejdo-
scopic play OF color. the sheen and
luster OF silk and satin. the CLEAN OF
snowy arms and shoulders, the fra
GRANGE of flowers. the admiration OF
her partners. filed the girls heart with
delight, and her courage rose to the
occasion. She was surprised to find
how behind the protection of her mask
she could act her part even as II she.
too. belonged TO the party.
Once in the swirl Of a waltz she
caught sight of herself in long mir
ror and doubted her eyes Could that
be she. that dainty. graceful madcap
with her cheeks flushed. her eyes spar
king through the Sits In her visor.
her hair In golden disorder at her neck
that Cicely winthrop. with her own
living to make and shabby clothes to
wear? And the music-it seemed to
lift her on its wings and bear her over
the floor as lightly as any thistledown.
That was what her last partner had
said, q cavalier OF Charles IL. when at
the end of a dance they were sitting In
the dimly lighted conservatory.
''Thistledown. I believe that's what
you are, or else fairy. No shepherd
ess could dance os you do. not even
one out Of Vatican. and. besides. where
are your sheep? You haven't even one
little innocent snow white lamb
1--WE escaped for a moment from
them"
"Faithiess shepherdessi Aren't you
afraid OF wolves;"
."Awfully. One came into the sheep
fold today. very savage one"
The poor lambs, My heart bleeds'-
1T needn't. They only eat shep-
herdesses"
The brutes. Do you have to fight
them single handedy
CiceIy nodded. Its hard some
times"
Don't you need an assistant shep-
herd 10 helpg I ike to kin wolves.
and ] adore sheep and-shepherdess-
es."
You wouldn't IL you could see them
as they really are. The lambs are not
a bit adorable. only stupid and tire
some. and the shepherdess-sbe'd be
wearing a shabby gown and big shoes
aud her hair Untitled No; you'd best
remain with the court"
Hang the court! I'd heaps rather
be shepherd Won't you take me on
tr.al7'
There was lust note Of earnestness