Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-05-24

And 80 my laQy ana ueT SueSlo
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 and bent, low
proved women, for the most part they
stood sullen aad silent; though ex-
changing meaning chances 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 CLEAN and pass.
Endowed with natural optimism and
vivacity somewhat needless, my
lady appeared unconscious of all this
latent enmity until an unlooked-for
incident. justifying in a measure the
governors demur, broke in upon the
evenings festivities and claimed her
attention.
On the beach, lighted by torches,
dainty minuet was proceeding gaily,
when through the throng CT onlook-
ers. a young man with dark head set
on a frame tall and powerful, worked
his way carefully to point where
he was afforded at least restricted
view of the animated spectacle. Abb
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 man taking
stock of his surroundings, suddenly
became intent and piercing, as, pass
Ing In survey over the lowly spec
tators to the glittering company, 1t
centered itself on the young mistress
of festivities.
In costume white and shining, the
Lady Elise moved through the grace
full 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-stockinged cavaliers
whom she thus RECALLED with Wit,
mockery, or jest, could, for The most
bart, respond only with admtrins
glapces OF weakly protesting words
THAT pretty fellow, her partner"
with a contenptuous accent on the
adjective, lis the Marquis de Beau
villers, a kinsman OF the king!' said
one OF the women in the throng.
Ma fol- They're we'll matched. A
dancing doll for a popinjay!"
The young man behind the head.
dresses, now nodding v!ciously, moved
nearer the front Dressed in the
rough though not picturesque fashion
Of the northern fishermen, touch OF
color in bis apparel lent to his bearing
a note Of romance the bold expression
of his swarthy face did not belle. For
few moments he watched the girl;
the changing eyes and lips, Swallowed
by hair that shone 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 glance.
whom" asked her companion In
The dance-a fair, handsome noble
nan of slim figure and elegant bear
ng.
THAT'S just what can't tell you,"
she answered, sweeping a courtesy
hat fitted the rhythm OF the music.
Only face 1 should remember"
Should" The marquis look fol-
owed hers.
But the subject Of their converse
ion, rs if div!ning the trend OF their
ak. had drawn back.
"Oh, he is gone now" she answered
y malcontent, perhaps! one meets
hem Nowadays
NO, no, lie did not look"
Some poor fellow. then, your beau
~ has entrapped?" he insinuated.
Humble admirer!"
Then I would remember him!" she
laughed as the dance came to an end.
Now in a tented pavilion, servants,
richly CARRIED in festal costume.
passed among the guests, circulating
trays. bright with golden dishes ant
yoblets, stamped with the ancient in
sigma OF the Mount, and once the
property OF the afTluent monks. early
rulers of the place. Other attendants
followed, bearing light delcacies, con-
tections and marvellous frosted towers
and structures from the castle kit
chen.
"The patron saint in sugar." Merry
EXPLANATIONS greeted these examples
of skill and cunning. Are We to de-
YOUR the saint?"
"Ah. no; he is only to look att"
Z L.