Middletown transcript., 1912-07-20
CHAPTER v.
nop.nsnnr laoa BY niE eoBR3 -liERRILL g
An INTERRUPTION.

CHAPTER v.
An Interruption.
"They seem not to appreciate your
fete champetre, my LADY," At the
verge of the group Of peasant dancers,
the Lady Elise and the Marquis de
Beauvillers, who had left the other
guests to the enjoyment of fresh cul-
mary surprises, paused to survey
scene, intended, yet falling, to be
festal. For whether these people
were too sodden to avail themselves
of the opportunity for merrymaking,
or liked not the notion Of tripping
together at Beppos command, their
movements, which should have been
free and untrammeled as the vigorous
swing Of the music, were character
lied only by painful mOnotony and
tagging. In the half-gloom they came
together like shadows; separated aim
Iessly and cast misshapen silhouettes
-caricatures Of frolicking peasants
on the broad surface of the sands be-
yond. These bobbing, black spots my
lady disapprovingly regarded.
They seem not in the mood, truly!"
tapping her foot on the beach.
"Here-and elsewhere!" he laughed.
But the governors daughter made
an impatient movement; memories OF
the dance, as she had often seen 1t,
when she was a child at the Mount,
,.oo,rro5 - how tTTbau onaro m havo
forgotten!" Her eyes flashed. Il
should like to show them"
You? My Lady,"
She did not answer; pressing her
red lips, she glanced sharply around.
Stupid people! Half Of them are
only looking on! When they can
dance. they won't, and" She gave
a slight start, for near her, almost
at her elbow, stood the young seaman
she had observed only a short time
before, when the minuet was in pro
gress. His dark eyes were bent on
her and she surprised on his face an
expression half derisory, half quizzic-
al Her look changed to one Of dis
pleasure.
You are not dancing?" severely.
NO my Lady" Too late, perhaps,
he regretted his temerity-that too
unveiled and open regard.
why not?" more imperiously.
/ q" he began and stopped.
I "You can dancer"
: "a little, perhaps"
"As well as they?" looking at the
people.
wooden fantoccini!" said the man,
a flicker Of amusement returning to
his face.
"Fantoccini?" spoke the girl impa-
tiently. What do you know Of them?"
I'VE Breton seamen sail far, on oc-
casion."
Far enough to gain in assurance!"
cried my lady, with golden head high,
surveying him disdainfully through
half-colored, sweeping lashes. "But you
shall prove your right"
'Right?" asked the fellow, his eyes
fixed intently upon her
The right of one who does not
dance-to criticize those who do"
she said pointedly, and made, on the
sudden, an imperious gesture.
He gave start eff eff surprise; str prise; 4Attf
dacious though he was, he looked as
If he would draw back. What? With
you, my Lady,"
A CLEAN of satisfaction, little cold
and scornful, shone from the girls
eyes at this evidence of his discom-
future. UNLESS" she added malicious
ly, you fear you-can not?"
"Fear?" His look shot around; a
moment he seemed to hesitate; then
a more reckless expression swept
suddenly over his dark features and
he sprang to her side.
"At your Ladyship's command"
My lady's white chin lifted. The
presumptuous fellow knew the dance
of the Mount-danced it well, no
doubt!-eIse why such ease and as
surance? Her lids yelled a look OF
disappointment; she was halfminded
curtly to dismiss him, when a few
words Of low remonstrance and the
sight of my lords face decided her.
She drew aside her skirts swiftly;
flashed back at the nobleman a smile,
capricious and wilfuI.
"They," indicating the peasants,
must have an example, my Lord!"
she exclaimed, and stood, with eyes
sparkling, waiting the instant to catch
up the rhythm.
But the marquis, not finding the
reason sufficient to warrant such con-
descension, gazed with mute protest
and disapprovaI on the two figures,
so ill-assorted: my lady, in robe of
satin, fastened with tassels of silver
the sleeves, wide and short,
trimmed at the elbow with fine lace of
Brussels and drawn up at the shoul-
der with glistening knots of diamonds;
the other, clad in the rough raiment
Of a seamanl The nice, critical sense
Of the marquis suffered from this spec
tacle of the incongruous; his eyes,
seeking in vain those of the governors
daughter, turned and rested querul-
ously on the heavy-browed peasants,
most of whom, drawing nearer, viewed
the scene with stolid Indifference. In
the gaze of only few did that first
stupid impression suffer any change;
then it varied to one of vague wonder,
half-apathetic inquiry!
rs he mad?" whispered clod OF
this class to neighbor.
mot so Ioud!" breathed the other
in a low tone.
But he," regarding with dull awe
the young fisherman, doesn't care!
Look! What foolhardiness! He's
going to dance with her!"
"Witchcraft! That's what call
it,"
"Hush!"
My lady extended the tips Of her
fingers. Attack WE'LL" runs the old
Gallo injunction to dancers; the
partner she had chosen apparently
understood it's significance. A 1.-the
muscular hand closed on the small
one; whirled my lady swiftly; half
back again. 1t took away her breath
a little, so forcible and unceren. .onious
that beginning! Then, Obeying the
mad rhythm cI the movement, she
yielded to the infectious measure. An
arm quickly encircled her waist;
f0rro