And, then came the annual Lowbridge harvest dance.

The evening was bright and clear, and Walter, who had been waiting for this evening for months, felt very nervous, firstly because he would meet, the violinist, and secondly, there would be people from Glen, like his sisters, without Rilla. After that dance, in August Di had looked at him very curiously at times, but she hadn't said anything, she had just smiled like she had some secret, that he was not, yet part of. Thirdly there would be, Alice, but usually Alice and he didn't dance either, but maybe dancing might cheer her up, Walter wondered, as he was tying the scarf he had gotten from Ken, to his neck, and with careful hand buttoned his new shirt, and cufflinks, that were loaned from, Ken, they had come from just in time, along with fast, hurried scrawl of a letter, that was written in a style that was pure Ken, the toast of Toronto.

Lord Poet!

It's raining cats and dogs in Toronto, and I'm drowning in essay deadlines, so to cheer myself up, I'm writing to you, dear old chum.

All in all, it's great that you're going to dance, and here's is enclosed the package, those cufflkins you asked for. I have so many of them that you can even keep them to yourself. I am extremely happy that you finally bought a shirt that needs them. Sure, you look really stylish, just remember to wipe the red dust off your shoes with a decent fabric, as nothing spoils elengace, faster than dust.

Thank you for sending Una's recipe for Madeleine pastries. Namely, Mom baked them, and they were divine. In fact they are for now Dad's favorite delicacies, as he's working on his newest novel, there are crupled paper, everywhere!

As for Persis, she's not been adventuring in a car lately, but instead she is marching around with signs! Sometimes it's exhausting, that I happen to have a little sister with a social conscience and a sense of fashion in the same package, for she is truly a spectacular revelation. I've had to speak in a harsh tone, to some comrades of mine, but my sister just pointed out sharply to me, that she takes care of her own liasons, herself. I didn't really dare to inquire further, for she has steel in her, despite her generally sunny and happy nature, well you know how she is.

Promise me, if possible, that you will dance with the most beautiful girl, that you can find there. Perhaps that pale goldeny-one with the violet-eyes, that I saw few summers ago, if she is in attendance? And if she is, will you give her my regards? The violin music you wrote about sounded Heavenly, and I cracked the linguistic code, for you, or I should say that Persis did that too, as she has time, I do not.

Forget your poems, for one night, and descend among other mortals, to taste a little life, not all experiences have to wait until Paris. And here's one last piece of advice, look your interlocutor closely in the eye, and listen carefully, even if the topic she's talking about is complete nonsense, and sometimes, look past her, dreamily.

It works, like a charm, every time.

All the best, as always,

KF.

The house where the dance was always held was old, its wide plank floors, worn, and its dark red color, was homely, and comforting. Shining light, shone from the bright-screened windows, and the shadows swayed on the frozen, brown grass.

Avoiding the crowds in the lobby, Walter walked slowly toward the main hall, where the violin was playing, the tone was delicate and charming, full of secret whispers.

In his other hand, Walter had a bouquet of pale purple violets, and pansies for Alice, for he reasoned that a girl whose hair smelled of the same flowers would receive them, with joy, for lilacs were in no way available, though he had tried to look for them. Autumn hydrangeas had been another option, but they were, somehow too, much.

Walter leaned against the door frame and watched past the dancing couples, onto the stage, and there he was, the violinist, finally. And then, the violinist swept his bow, once lightly to the strings of his violin, as he looked in the direction of Walter, their eyes met, and in the glow of the electric lights, the song rising to the cresendo, the applause fading, the violinist, bowed, once, gracefully, and his gaze was still caught in Walter's form, or at least it seemed like so to him. The catchy, seductively flying tone glowed in the hall, and on the floor the couples arranged in different positions.

Suddenly a familiar voice, close to him, pointed out, "my dear brother, why are you, standing here as a wall rose, and to whom are those flowers in your hand?" Walter glanced at Nan, quickly, and said, "The flowers are for Alice." Nan's forehead creased, and in a questioning tone she turned away from her brother, who took the opportunity and slipped into the crowd. For a moment, Nan's voice was heard, clearly above the din, "To Alice, do we happen to know anyone called Alice, Di?"

Soon Nan and Di were dancing, and they were whispering to each other, and all the while casted delighted, light, and a little shy, glances at the violinist who was just finishing his first set. Walter, on the other hand, tried to look for Alice, everywhere, but she wasn't to be found, not in the yard, or refresment table, so Walter submitted to carrying flowers until Alice found him herself.

Walter was just carrying, a glass of pumpkin punch in his hand, when familiar, a voice next to him said, "Well Merlo, do you know, now what I named you?"

Walter stopped, when he heard the voice he had dreamed of, and in consequence spilled a punch on his sleeve. So slowly he turned, and behind him stood, the violinist. He was wearing a stylish black suit, and a red silk scarf was around his neck, as it had been in August. The dark, curls had grown, and they touched his shoulders. Walter felt red rise on his cheeks, but he said calmly, "I want your name first, and then, I'll tell you what I found out, the nickname you gave." Dark gray and dark italiante eyes smiled at each other in the crowded, and humid room, and lightly, the violinist wrapped his other hand around Walter's shoulders and said, in a soft tone "Well, then let's go out, the evening is bright, and, I miss the open air, we can talk there, few moments, but do not drop your flowers in your haste."

With a slightly embarrassed smile, Walter fixed, his bouquet of flowers, and followed the violinist´s shadowy figure, out into the starry evening lit by flickering torches.

The yard was deserted, and the violinist stepped along, carefully to a nearby stone fence, and sat there, glancing at the light-bathed courtyard, there was a joyful, silver laughter up close, that might be Di, Walter thought.

The violinist gave a slow, penetrating, look to Walter´s features as if he weighed something silently for a moment, and then he said, "my name is Tadizio, as in that short story written by that German writer, and like that boy, I am also often called beautiful, by everyone, but not you, and that is why I named you instead."

German literature was not one of Walter's strengths, but at that moment he decided to find out at the outset what the book was about, as it sounded very interesting. "In August, you Tadzio named me with an Italian word meaning blackbird,"Walter said slowly, and cautiously.

A light and bright totally captivating smile spread across Tadzio's face and he said, "for thou art like a blackbird, Merlo, always looking to the heights, as I am, but thy instrument is a pen, and I have a violin."

A remarkable feeling overwhelmed Walter as he heard Tazidio's words. Almost like pain, but at the same time a strange joy. Is that what finding kindred spirits is like? If so why hasn't anyone said it hurts like this? But deep in his heart, Walter knew this was something completely different. Tazdio had taken a bumpy, flat case from his pocket and opened it, offering it with a careless gesture, cigarettes. Walter remembered the soft, perfumed scent that had surrounded Ken at the Lighthouse of the Four Winds, and remembered the words of Ken's last letter, "Don't let all things wait for Paris, enjoy life!" So encouraged, he held out his hand and took one. Then the two dark heads bowed towards each other, and a spark struck, fast, and sudden.

And then almost too soon, Tazdio got up and said, "I have to go back to work, but promise me you'll dance tonight, because I want to see you, and I can't do it if you're standing in corners." Walter just nodded, and watched as Tadzio´s slender figure walked smoothly across the yard, and he chatted with various, people who came with red cheeks to breathe fresh air. The wind rose, and Walter shook his coat, and lifted Alice's flowers, out of the grass, the clouds seemed to fly in the blue-black sky.

In the ballroom, the rush hour had eased as people had gone to enjoy refreshments. Soon the reels would begin, and then the waltzes.

Suddenly Walter noticed a golden glimpse in one corner, and he turned toward it. It was Alice. Her dress was very simple but skillfully made, and was pale, shimmering purple in color, exactly the same shade as the flowers in Walter's hand.

Alice looked pale, but when she saw Walter, she nodded, quickly, and signaled him to come to her, and he did. She said quietly, "Can you take me out for a moment." Walter nodded, and they slid out, from the back entrance, this time. There were more people in the yard, and Alice leaned against a nearby tree, and after a moment of silence said, "Let's wait here for a couple of dances, and then we can go inside."

The glowing, charming violin echoed through the open windows, and a few leaves slowly fell to the ground.

After a while, Alice said, "Walter, can you recite me, something, because I want something else to think about, other than my own worries, mainly my aching feet. These shoes are pretty to look at, but they are murder on my poor toes. Thank you for the flowers, are really sweet, but how did you find them?"

Walter glanced at Alice, and said"Here is a one house with a built-in greenhouse, and several varieties of different flowers, unfortunately not lilacs, as it is a shrub plant. I have taught the children of that family, and they had told their parents that I needed flowers, so a couple of days ago I went there to see what was on offer. "

After a moment of silence, he recited in a soft intimate tone, following verse by Shelley.

All night have the roses heard

The flute, violin, bassoon;

All night has the casement jessamine stirrd´

To the dancers dancing in tune;

Till a silence fell with the waking bird,

And hush with the setting moon.

I said to the lily,"There is but one

With whom she has the heart to be gay."

When will the dancers leave her alone?

She is weary of the dance and play.

Alice laughed, lightly, somehow coldly, and said, "Dear, Walter you are more right, that you know. So let's go inside, and dance, but not the reels, as I always feel like I am falling into Abyss, when I heard the beat of them. "

Alice and Walter arrived at the hall just as the waltzes began. On the floor couples swayed, and Walter noticed that Alice glanced quickly around her, and she did seem a little bit lighter someway.

Walter smiled and whispered to her, "I just remembered that one of my comrades, Ken Ford, asked me to convay his best greetings, to you. So I think I'll dance with you for the rest of the evening, if I am allowed to do that."

At his words, golden bright laugh radiated from Alice, and she made small, delicate curtsy, giving her gloved hands to Walter in one movement. And then, they danced, flowing, shimmering circles arcoss the wide floor.

At the final turn, Walter glanced to the stage, and he saw Tadzio, who was playing, and he winked at Walter, fast almost invisible movement and with a radiant smile Walter twirled Alice.

Feeling breathless, Una Meredith arrived at Lowbridge Harvest Dance. She glanced quickly at the mirror hanging in the hall, and nodded lightly, at the girlish image shown there, and she stepped into the ballroom.

The light dreamy waltz tones echoed in the great room, and there were a few couples on the dance floor. Una looked carefully into every corner of the room, but Walter was nowhere to be seen. She did saw Nan and Di, and lifting the hem of her dress, Una walked over to them.

She just heard Nan's voice say, "First the flowers and now dancing, so strange, so unlike him. I hope you don't ruin anything, with your plan, Di. I said we shouldn't interfere.""To ruin what"Una inquired softly. Both of Ingelside's twins were startled, and after a moment Di said, "Nothing particularly important, but how nice it was for you to come here Una. When you weren't seen, I was afraid you wouldn't be here after all, but here you are. You look really beautiful, don't you agree with me Nan? " Nan squinted at her hazel eyes and said slowly, looking at Una's dress, "For a moment I didn't recognize Una as, you're just radiating. But it's really hot here, let's get some lemonade, and remember today you're having fun and you're not a wall rose or in refreshment-duty, because this is Lowbridge and not Glen, so the dance rules have broken for you. "

At Nan's words, a light red tint rose on Una's face, and she nodded, and waved lightly the old fan of Cecilia´s it was a magnificent lace work of art embroidered with small pearls. And quietly in her mind Una prayed, maybe Walter will dance with me, tonight before the night ends. The lemonade and punch were really tasty, but a little too sweet, according to Una, she would make them both a bit more tart, if she was on this committee, but as she was not, she just took the tiniest sips, just to be polite, and not to offend anyone, here.

A bright, stunningly beautiful violin echoed in the room, and then Una noticed some delicate looking, blond girl in a purple dress, and was that Walter, who stood beside her, they were in the other side of the hall, but they were now coming closer.. Una bit her lip, as old fears suddenly resurfaced, again.

Across the room, Walter noticed his sisters, and there was some dark-haired girl next to them, a girl wearing dark midnight blue silk, and white roses in her hair. So feeling very curious he walked to them, Alice was trailing along serenely.

As Walter got closer he realized that the girl was Una, but Una had never looked like that before. It was as if Walter's sonnet had come to life in front of him, and in ecstasy he smiled at Una and said in a exited and warm tone, "Una what a wonderful surprise, that you are here." But Una didn't even glance in his direction, but focused on her fan, so feeling little embarrassed Walter shrugged, and tapped his shoe on the floor and said to his sisters "Nan and Di here is Alice Parker, I don't know if you've met before?"

Nan and Di exchanged a quick glance at each other, and finally, after a little silence, Nan said in a slightly, proud cold tone, "Alice, your dress is beautiful and those flowers, it goes really well with it." Alice said nothing, she just nodded, and with a small smile and glanced quickly at Ingelside's twins, then at Una's pale figure, and she said in that soft, but regal tone of hers, that was too gentle to be called command, "Walter dance with Una."

Alice's sharp elbow hit Walter painfully in the side, and he glanced at Alice in amazement, but she quickly nodded, and stepped back herself, and by that final prompt Walter offered his hand to Una and asked in his best suave Ken Ford-way

" Miss Meredith, I would be honored above all else, if you would dance with me, tonight?" Una nodded, and curtsied and slowly, they stepped onto the dance floor. The waltz was quiet, and flowing although Walter's legs ached, and Una didn't say anything, the color just varied on her face, but it could be due to the heat, the floor was quite crowded.

In Walter's light but sure grip, Una almost felt like she was flying, and she was automatically keeping count of the beat of the waltz, it was as if her soul had suddenly gained wings. And Walter had never, according to Una's recollections, looked exactly what he now looked like when she danced with him. He seemed shimmering, some kind of bright happiness, from his very soul, and in undertone Una heard that Walter hummed the same waltz-tune, that quite beautiful violinist was playing above them.

But in the end, all the evenings, even the most unforgettable, must end. The violinist stepped forward one last time and said in an audible voice. "The waltzes are now over and everyone is welcome to the final reel. Settle in the formations, please."

So they did.

Nan, Di, Una, and Walter, but not Alice, were all in line, as were the other dancers in the Lowbridge Harvest Dance. The catchy, wild sparkling reel gleamed in the room, and the rumbling dancing carried on into the bright cold night.

Accompanied by wild applause the violinist, Tadzio bowed, and slowly the dancers left, to their homes, either in Lowbrige or Glen.

Tadzio was standing alone in an empty, deserted yard and he looked at the bright moon in the sky. In the cold wind Tadzio turned, fitfully towards his rented flat, at the poor end of Lowbridge. He whistled in a catchy, bright tone that hovered over the sleeping village, a dog was barking somewhere, nearby. He shivered, and walked faster, as he had several unfortunate ecounters with dogs, but not all the dogs were the same. Tadzio passed a gray house, it was along mainstreet, in the upper floor, there was a candle burning in the window, and a handsome oak at the gate ...