The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-09-04

trOthal with the Marquis de Beau.
villers, nobleman of large estates,-
arranged while she was yet a child -
promised brilliant marriage and in
measure offered to his Excellency
some compensation for that old and
ione;-cherished disappointment - the
birth OF a girl when his ambition had
looked SO strongly for an heir to his
name as we'll as to his estate.
And SO my lady and her guests
danced and made merry on the sands
below, and the people came out from
the mainland, or down from the
houses In the town at the base of the
rock. to watch. A varied assemblage
OF gaunt.looking men aud bent, low
browed women, for the most part they
stood sullsn and silent; though ex-
changing meaning glances now and
then as II to say: do you note all
this ostentation--all this glitter and
display? Yes; and some day" Up
on brooding brows. In deep-set eyes,
on furrowed faces question and an
answer seemed to gleam and pass.
Endowed with Natural optimism and
a vivacity somewhat needless. my
lady appeared unconscious OF all this
latent enmity until an unlooked.for
incident. 1ustifying In q measure the
governors demur. broke In upon the
evenings festivities and claimed her
attention.
On the beach, lighted by torches,
q dainty minuet was proceeding gaily,
when through the throng OF oniook.
ers. q young man with dark head set
on q frame tall and powerful, worked
his way carefully to point where
he was afforded at least q restricted
view OF the animated spectacle. Alb
sorbed each In his or her way In the
scene before them, no one noticed
him. and. with hat drawn over his
brow, and standing In the shadow
OF the towering head-dresses OF sew
eral peasant women, he seemed con-
tent to attract as little attention to
himself as possible. His look, at first
quick and alert, that of a man taking
stock OF his surroundings. suddenly
became intent and piercing. as, pass.
Ing In survey over the lowly spec
tators to the glitteri,g company, 1t
centered itself on the young mistress
Of festivities.
In costume white and shining, the
Lady Elise moved through the grace
ful numbers. her slender supple figure
now poised. now swaying, from head
to foot responsive to the rhythm of
that "pastime Of little steps," Her
lips. too. were busy, but such was tia
witchery Of her motion-all fire and
life!-the silk-stocxinged cavaliers
whom she thus RECALLED with Wit,
mockery. or Jest. could. for the most
oart,. respond only with admirine
slances or weakly protesting words
That pretty fellow. her partner"
with q contemptuous accent on the
adjective. rs the Marquis de Beau
villers. q kinsrnan Of the king!" said
one Of the women in the throng.
Ma fol! They're we'll matched. A
dancing doll for popinjay!"
The young man behind the heed.
dresses. now nodding viciously. moved
nearer the front. Dressed In the
rough though not picturesque fashion
Of the northern fishermen. q touch OF
color In his apparel lent to his bearing
o note OF romance the bold expression
OF his swarthy face did not belle. For
a few moments he watched the girl;
the changing eyes and lips. shadowed
by hair that shore and flashed like
bright Furnished gold; then catching
her gaze, the black eyes cleaned. An
instant their eyes fingered: hers
startled. puzzled.
Where have seen him?" My
lady, In turning. paused to swing
over her shoulders q glance.
Whom" asked her companion IN
the dance--a fair. handsome noble
man Of slim figure and elegant bear
ing.
That's just what can't tell you,"
she answered. sweeping q courtesy
that fitted the rhythm of the music.
only face should remember!"
"Should?" The marquis look fol-
lowed hers.
But the subject OF their converse
oon. as II divining the trend OF their
talk. had drawn back.
"Oh. he Is gone now" she answered