The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-05-02
CHAPTER iv.-(contInued.,

CHAPTER iV.-(continued.)
is it wise he had asked. Ito court
che attention OF the people?"
"Oh, am not afraid" she had
answered. And they are going 10
dance. tco."
They lie frowned.
why not? II is the queens own
idea. Let the people dance, she has
said, and they will keep out OF mis-
chief Besides" with prouder poise
of the bright head. why shouldn't
they see, and-iike me?"
They like nothing except them
selves, and" dryiy, ito attempt to
evade their Just obligations"
Can you blame them?" She made
a light gesture. obligations. mon
pere, are so tiresomel"
We'll. we'll. hastily, have your
own way" Although he spoke rather
shortly, on the whole he was not dis
pleased with his daughter; her be-
trothal with the Marquis de Beau
villers. a nobleman OF large estates
arranged while she was yet child
promised brilliant marriage and In
a measure offered to his Exceiiency
some compensation for that old and
long-cherished disappointment - the
birth OF a girl when his ambition had
looked so strongly for an heir to his
name as well 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
fouses In the town at the base OF the
rock, to watch. A varied assemblage
OF gaunt-lookiug men and bent, low
b-owed wome:'. for the most part they
stooc sullen 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 furrowcd 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 measure the
governors demur. broke in upon the
evenings festivities and claimed her
attention.
On the beach, lighted by torches.
a dainty minuet was proceeding gaily,
when through the throng OF onlook-
ers, a young man with dark head set
on frame tall and powerful. worked
his way carefully to point where
he was Afforded at least a restricted
view OF the animated spectacle. .ab-
s,rbed each in his or her way in the
scene before them. no one noticed
Rim, 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
conferred 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
Dart. respond only with admirine
glances or weakly protesting words
That pretty fellow, her partner"
with a contemptuous accent on the
adjective. rs the Marquis de Beau
villers, kinsman OF the king!" said
one OF the women in the throng.
Ma fol! They're well matched. A
dancing doll for popinjayl"
The young man behind the head
dresses, now nodding viciousiy. moved
nearer the front. Dressed In the
rough though not picturesque fashion
OF the northern fishermen, touch OF
Color in his apparel lent to rs bearing
uoto Va konauCo INC oolu ekpT6bblOu
OF his swarthy face did not belle. For
few moments he watched the girl:
the changing eyes and lips, shadowed
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
man OF slim figure and elegant bear
Ing.
That's Just what can't tell you"
she answered. sweeping a courtesy
nat fitted the rhythm OF the music.
only face should rememberi"
"should" The marquis lock fol-
lowed hers.