Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-02-04

SOn-1n-laW gracious welcome.
Mrs. Sardis was in a state Of pro
found beatitude Ethel received he
betrothed with quie: grace. She wa
not q demonstrative person, and, will
her thorough breeding, could not b,
expected to show ally vulgar fondnes
for her future husband.
Her manner sorely puzzled Bee, wht
had her own girlish ideas in relation t.
engaged people.
The impression made by the coun
upon this latter person was Of a mixet
character. His tall figure, his COURT!
address, his blonde, aristocratic face
with its sleepy blue eyes and thin, fai
hair, met with her appreciation, ant
yet she did not like him. Something IL
his handsome exterior and polished
manners filled her with vague doubts.
He is a great improvement upor
Baron Strozzi," said Bee to her cousin
"but I do not think I could ever quite
trust him, Ethel or feel at ease In hi!
company. It must be that am toe
hopelessly plebeian to ever appreciate
titled people"
One bitter, winter night, when the
stars were shining fair and frosty ir
the purple sky, Bee made her orthodox
entrance into the world of gayety and
fashion, and danced at her first ball.
1t was a grand affair, given by the
banker to celebrate simultaneously the
arrival Of the count and the debut OF
his rich young ward.
From the basement to the roof the
Fifth Avenue house shone with myriad
lights. Flowering shrubs and vines
wreathed the carved stairways and per-
fumed the landings. Baskets Of daph-
mes and violets swung from every win
dow and Intel. Great sprays and clus-
ters Of roses embedded the mantels
and dropped, heavy with their own
from the chandeliers. Sevres
vases, crowded with bolden- hearted or
chids, scarlet passion flowers, waxen
camellias and hot-house geraniums
poured incense from every pedestal
and corner. The superbly frescoed
ballroom blazed with light, and re-
sounded with the delicious music of
Strauss waltzes. Across its waxed
floor moved crowds of notable people
men in sombre evening dress women
with jewels flashing, white bosoms
cleaning, vaporous laces shining like
hoar-frost. Looking from one gorge
Gus apartment to another, through
doorways draped in white and crimson
silk, at the display of bedecked anG
dazzling humanity, visible between
graceful sprays of leaves and blossoms,
with here and there mirror rejecting
the scene, multiplying the light and in
creasing the delusion, the whole place
seemed like a scene in fairyland.
Bee stood, a pale young debutante,
by the side Of Mrs. Sardis, and looked
with bewildered eyes upon this splen-
dor. Her dress Of tulle and silk shone
purely white, without a tinge Of color
about 1t save the pale-blue convol-
vulus which looped its exquisite folds.
Her cheek was colorless but her eyes
shone large and bright with excitement
This was the hour for which she had
which she had dreamed.
Did the reality equal the anticipation? /?
Scarcely-it rarely does in this life.
For one thing, at least, she felt de-
voutly thankful-Baron Strozzi had
not yet appeared-Strozzi, who was
now the torment Of her life, who perse-
cuted her with calls and attentions,
quite Indifferent to her detestation, 80
long as Mrs. Sardis encouraged his
suit. 1t was nearly eleven. He was
late.
Heaven grant that he has broken his
legs!" thought Bee, wickedly, "or for
gotten the date of the ball, or taken Of
fense, at last at my many gibes. Any
thing-anything to keep him away!"
Archie Van Dorm, a good-looking
New Yorker, and one Of EthePs ardent
admirers, led Bee out to dance. He
thought her pretty girl, fresh as q
daisy-a sort Of Chairman to the Cleo
patra whom that sleepy-eyed count had
gobbled up.
by Jove! he's deuced devoted. Is he
not?" said Mr.. Van Dorm, glaring re-
sentfully at Count Stahl, as the latter
gyrated by with his betrothed in his
arms-he the lion of the night-the
observed Of all observers, with foreign
orders on his breast, and knot OF
violets in his button-hole; she, the belle
Of the ball, arrayed in cobweb lace
over satin of the palest water green
tint, with lilies and pearls for orna-
ments. No color stained her face
1t was as coldly white as the camellias
in the Sevres vases. The ruffled
bronze hair, the downy skin, the Ian
gushing eyes, the faultless contour,
had never seemed as lovely as on this
night. Many a man looking on the
count, envied him fiercely, and said to
to himself that this peerless New York
girl deserved not coronet, but a
crown, for her beauty.
IT'S hard lines for her native-born
admirers, eh?" sighed Mr.. Van Dorm.
Yes" assented Bee.
"The count had no end of row with
Lawrence Harding at Lucerne. ! was
there at the time. Poor Harding! He
was awfully cut up about your cousin
Wonder II he has yet recovered his
peace of mind?"
Bee danced like fairy, and partners
clustered around her thick as bees
From one figure to another she sped
catching glimpses now and then Of her
guardian, calmly surveying the COM
pany gathered in the gates-of Mrs
Sardis stately as an empress, In a
dress of uncut velvet and black Chan
tilly lace, with diamonds that fairly
dazz!ed the eyes; Of Charlotte Vann
in brocade and old point, surrounded
by a group of admirers-for the
wealthy, clever Miss Vann, bearded
ugly and passee though she was, was q
favorite with evrybody; of old Madame
Vann, in crimson satin and priceless
Brussels point; Of Mrs Jack Severne
Larry Harding's sister. smiling and
bright in bride-like fleeces; Of hun
dreds passing and repassing in gor-
geous tissues and flashing jewels. while
the splendid measures Of the music rose
and fell, and the abundant light pour
ed softly down the long rooms.
At her own request, Bees partner
conducted her, at last, to a seat beside
Miss Vann and went to bring her an
They went.
ice.
You are enjoying 1t very much, are
you not, my dear?" said the latter
with a good -natured smile. THAT Is
right. You look charming. Where can
the baron be? I have been watching
the door for the last hour"
Il trust he is safe in some distant
place." answered Bee.
"Fie! Without him your ball would
not be complete. He dances superbly
and he Is overwhelmed with invitations
everywhere. En- passant has he ever
met Count Stahl?"
NO" said Bee; though both honor
us with frequent calls, they have thus
far chosen different hours; so our titled
friends have not yet made each others
acquaintance"
Miss Vann leaned back in the shadow
of a crimson silk curtain, and looked
around the ballroom.
What COLOR" she murmured; what
light. And how heavenly Ethel Is look
ing tonight. I wish Eric Sake was
here; she would be a study, indeed, FOL
him. And that reminds me, Beatrix