The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1910-01-21
4 Chinese attendant lighting

tho cOlOred lanterns SuSpenueu -.u..
the balcony roof. A sudden rocket
went swiftly and sizzling up from out
the center of the great plaza below.
and my eyes followed it's swift flight
into the black sky until it burst into
q thousand miniature stars.
When l turned INC again, now half
inclined to beckon a waiter and order
the serving Of dinner, a 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
err and daughter, beyond question Of
high social class. Paterfamilias, sit
ting in stately dignity at what might
be considered the head of the board.
a 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
e~motionless, cleaning like steel points
behind gold-rimmed glasses-a man
extreme that irritating hauteur pos
sible only to an Englishman of recog-
nized family and position. The lady
occupying the seat opposite him, whom
I naturally presumed to be his wife.
was fleshy enough to own an ample
double chin, which dropped to a vaster
expanse below; most extensively
gowned, her fingers laden with dia-
monds, Inc 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
a counterfeit, as it failed to conceal
wholly a 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
well veneered by long social a~rtifice.
He was nature, while she had evident.
ly been developed by skill; yet the
W A1y SAlAhA16, ploNCu ldl lA0
more interesting specimen of the two.
l 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 l neve saw a fair.
er picture Of womanhood just when
the lovely flower becomes a blossom
fully blown, yet a%ssuredly none other
ever possessed for me the same in.
definable fascination, the same in.
effable charm. Twenty-Five, possibly,
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
eyes pledging a thoughtful soul be-
expression; a face rejecting the Joy
Of living, yet responsive, and, in mo
ments of quietness. saddened beyond
its years; an enhancing dimple visible
in the rather broad chin; the lips
moist and rosy with health, sufficiently
parted to reveal a tantalizing glimpse
of white, regular teeth behind; the
forehead low and broad, the wealth OF
shadowing hair of darkest brown, yet
with an odd CLEAN of reddish gold
causing the gathered masses to seem
an aureole of beauty. But it was not
the outward face alone, nor any com.
bination Of pleasing features, which
yielded such rare and indescribabls
charm-it was rather a distinct and
unusual personality which gave to
these both life and attractiveness. Her
slightest glance or movement, natural
and unaffected, seemed a new revela
ton of self, the outer expression Of q
secret inward life which l instinctively
longed to penetrate, the guarded mys.
terry of which was invitation.
The three conversed little, speaking
English with that lack Of restraint
common to those who have been 40
customed to having discreet servants
behind their chairs, the man grum.
bling icily i've the quality of food fur
nished and the Indifferent service, my
lady commenting with audible distinct.
ness on the personal appearance OF
the various people present, the girl
contenting herself with an occasional
m~onosyllable when directly addressed
I dispatched my wi order, and, while
idly waiting the return of the servant
had my attention attracted toward q
group gathered about a second table
just beyond the one occupied by the
English family party.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)