
In a modest town where everyday chores blend with whispered hopes, Sally Anders spends a night preparing for the one dance that could change everything. She adorns herself with ribbons, perfume, and a nervous confidence, while the moon casts a silvery glow over the crowded ballroom. As the music swells, a stranger steps out of the shadows, his calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the swirling excitement around her.
His presence feels almost otherworldly—eyes bright as distant stars, a voice that speaks of tides and timeless cycles. He asks Sally a question that seems simple yet carries the weight of an entire future, leaving her to weigh desire against the unknown. The story balances tender romance with a subtle undercurrent of speculative wonder, inviting listeners to wonder what lies beyond the fleeting sparkle of the night.
Language
en
Duration
~30 minutes (29K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2009-04-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1903–1994
A prolific American writer who moved easily between horror, fantasy, and science fiction, he is especially remembered for eerie tales that helped shape the Lovecraft circle. His career stretched across decades, from pulp magazines to later collections and criticism.
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