Patricia Brown

The Wine Stain: (A Dutch East Indies Folk Tale) Patricia Brown

For the past several years, childhood sweethearts Joseph Mueller and Annabelle Van Pelt have attended the Spring Ball together. But this year, things won't work out like Joseph had carefully planned. Joseph is in his last year of school and, following graduation, he intends to join the military. But before leaving, he wishes to ask for Annabelle's hand in marriage. When Annabelle's father forbids her to go with Joseph to the dance, Joseph is devastated. Finally, after gathering the pieces of his broken heart, Joseph decides to attend the ball with some friends. When he arrives, he sees Annabelle dancing with someone he doesn't recognize. In a fit of jealousy, Joseph takes a glass of red wine from the refreshment table to clear his mind. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees an enchantingly beautiful young lady across the room with whom he proceeds to dance the night away. The morning after the dance is filled with a myriad of questions, which, quite mysteriously, no one can answer. Why didn't any of Joseph's friends see him dancing? And who was the striking girl in the white dress?