Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-01-22

1--WE, BEI1N " lONs w ~.
hind reached their ears. Redford was
silent. Before his mind rose those tor
menting memories that took to them
selves doubtful values. and they dared
him to test them. He smiled grimly
as he thought of the only possible way
he could appraise their value.
Presently they reached the foot OF
the hill. A strip Of glistening sand
shelved down to the tapping waves OF
the sea, dancing and sclntillating IN
the stream Of the moon. At little
distance group Of peasants had gath
cred apparently to engage In some
pastime. AS BEDFORD and his COM
panion moved toward them. the tink.e
of guitar and the rattle OF castanets
broke in their ears. They paused to
watch young man and girl break
from the group, and with quick steps
dance upon the sand. Eager faces
were directed upon the dancers, and
hands clapped In beating out a faster
| time There was O suspense and ex-
element which suggested something
| more than mere frolic. Words of en-
| couragament were cast upon them, and
| watchful nervousness seemed to hang
upon every step. Suddenly the young
man threw up his hands with an ex-
clamation Of keen disappointment, and
dejectedly withdrew.
"Ah!. ALL" cried several voices.
"What a pity Another egg broken,
and August will It get his bride this
| Easter"
! The girl, who's. feet ceased to trip
lightly only with the breaking off OF
the music, turned reproachful look
| upon her partner.
"Will you kindly tell me what Au-
| gust has done to lose his bridef Miss
! Carruthers requested OF woman at
her side.
"Ah, nam selle," replied the woman,
"This is our Easter betrothal dance.
One hundred eggs are spread out and
covered with sand, then lad and lass
dance over them. II they finish the
| dance without breaking single egg,
they become engaged and nothing can
stop their marriage. 1t Is the marriage
aux oeufs, and such was the second
wedding of the good Princess Mar
garet of Austria and Philibert OF
Savoy. They were fortunate, but, alas
Already four couples here have broken
an egg, and will not marry at Easter.
The forlorn looks of sundry youths
and maids, who stood gloomily apart,
Indicated the clumsy feet that had
smashed fragile eggs and equally brit
tie hopes They did not seem to APP
preciate the good-humored jest5 OF
their companions
The master Of ceremonies called for
another couple but none stepped for
ward The ironical laughter of some
of the noncompetitors was too much
for the bashful lovers. The test was
too public Suntanned SWANS backed
into the shadows, and the sport Of
, Cupid Jagged.
, BEDFORD started suddenly ant
> glanced at his companion. The tor
: menting memories challenged him
1 Why not test their worth? His tongue
!. tried vainly to put request int
! words. but as the girl looked up a
: him he held out his hand and muir
t INJURED the one word, Come Witt
I downcast eyes she took his out
! stretched hand, and they stepped for
/ ward amid a murmur of applause.
n The tinkle of the guitar and tn
S rattle of the castanets again throbbe'
f on the balmy air. Beyond the slopin
Of 40 rfc Ul Loo ~, n
e Monte Florino's myriad lights. Far t
It the south stretched the sea- Aroun
the two Americans were rows o
/ sturdy men and women, delighted t
! think the two would test their love i
) true peasant fashion.
n "The eggs will never break II tn
If love is true" shouted wizened oil
is crone s.Step lightly, lady. and 70
is shall have happiness"
y Without false or awkward move
lie ment, with eyes sparkling brightly, tn
d two dancers wound through the peri
d Gus maze Daintily, like a feathe
in upon the wind, Mabel Carruthei
N foated over the smooth sand until {
ID last the shouts of the peasants toll
Dt her that the dance was finished NJ
y single egg was broken. and as the
m stepped back from the sand, the swe'
ID bells of San Luco on the heights ran
n out for Easter eve.
es Mabel whispered. Redford, as the
IN climbed the hill, sit is a pity that son
n enterprising American has not intr
ld duced the egg dance In our country
rs She looked up at him quickly, wi
at mischievous laughter and somethii
MS else in her eyes.
~ Its hardly needed there" she r
o' piled, except perhaps to tell him VIII
he fails to see in d girls mind"
X