The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1895-07-27
THE HUMOR OF 1T.


quisitely for the Havertons' dance, and yet
with a certain nervous abstraction. Now
and then she would stand still. lost in i'm
aginings; then she would set her teeth and
dress frenziedly for spell. Clearly II was
not easy to rchearse scene Of reproach and
scorn and to put in judicious hairpins ST.
simultaneously. But she realized that per-
feet confidence in her own appearance
might materially influence her courage
when the moment for the scene came, and
that the moment should come tonight and
ut the Havertons' dance she was fully and
desperately determined
Surely fever a man deserved punishment
at the hands OF woman that man was Ashby
Eldon. lie had behaved unforgivably.
She had met him for the first time at
Nice in the early part Of this winter. She
was there with an enervated aunt. He was
there on mere pleasure and had given her
to understand that he had fed from a hot
house atmosphere Of tiresome adulation in
London to battle his soul in pure sunshine.
lie had talked culture and personalities in
perfect proportion. He had been charming.
had worn striped linen, IA pointed beard and
a smile OF fascinating fatigue; he had del
uged her with expensive flowers. At first
these flowers had come with n mere card.
A little later the card was often inclosed in
a sealed envelope and covered with some
suggestive little quotation from the French
or German poets.
Still later the flowers had come without
a word, bearing their own message. and
when he noted n spray or two in her dress
he would perhaps steady his eyes on hers
for moment. hold her hand the fraction
of second too long for mere convention
] s-II -. l.. a. ...I
that she was a charming woman in his
e, es and that he knew she knew it. And
never hint or sign OF his engagement to
that Miss Trevorsl 1t was incomprehensi-
ble-unspeakablei
If he had not mentioned by chance that
Lady Haverton was his aunt, il On her re-
turn from Nice she had not taken enormous
trouble to cultivate Lady Haverton and
lead her talk on to Ashby Eldon she might
have dwaddled in her FOOLS paradise to the
day OF his wedding announcement.
Well, the days of woman's ''silent suffer
ings" were over now, thank heavenl She
had been reading a striking article on this
theme in some magazine only last week. A
woman was no longer mans prey-she
was his equal. his rival, and tonight she
\ would prove 1t. She would speak her mind
honestly, grandly, without flinching. She
foresaw every detail Of the interview. He
would be standing in the doorway Of the
ballroom when she arrived. She would pass
him by. He would speak to her. and she
would raise her eyebrows in calm surprise,
answering in icy terms. But he should
write his name on her programme. and
when his dance came around she would ask
to sit it out. Silently she would lead the
way to an empty room-the little boudoir
at the back Of the conservatory. And
then
How she would tear him with her weap-
ons Of scorn and disgust. She would make
him feel like cur.
The hottest words seemed insufficient
punishment when she thought what suffer
ing he might have caused herl 1t was the
merest chance that she had not lost her
heart to him-the merest chance. Why did
the face in the glass twitch as she said thati
She would say it again and say it out loud.
1t was the purest piece of luck that she had
not fallen in love with Ashby Eldon. He
had done his best He was a brute. Yes,
he was She didn't care. He was.
How hideous red eyelids could make one
lookl They took all the poetry out of white
cheeks. Why had she been the fool to choose
: her pink silk for tonight And what would
IL matter IL she wore green baizei Hateful
worldl
1t was packed at the Havertons' Eleven
o'clock and he was not there.
She danced n great deal.
Half past IL and he was not there.
She sat out great deal.
Half past ~ and he was not there.
She was getting too tired to smile.
She must go home now.
Good night. Lady Haverton-a delight
full evening" Yes she was feeling a little
) tired. Good night once more and out on to
the staircase.
MeYciful powersl There he came-slowly
possessedly-in the old way. Quick What
vas she going to say at the very irst-oh
! WHAT
, Miss Feardoul an unexpected pleasurer
A wave seemed to wash over her brain
She took his proffered hand, and her eye.
fell for one second. Then she looked uI
with n brilliant society smile. Her old
resolutions lay about her in ruins. A com
pletely different set Of emotions had taker
possession OF her-unconsciously unques
tioningly.
, "Ah, you are back in the vortex, Mr.
1 Eldon-the dear old vortexr'
, "Yesr' A faint suspicion OF awkward
Q ness spoiled his usually perfect manner
; "Yes. l am just de retour. How kind Of
, people TO give these little soirees at thi,
tune OF the year-Wnen tnere ls positively
4 no other way of getting warmr'
And am ungrateful enough TO be run
0 ming away now. There is so much COINS
e on deces jours-isn't there'"
D But you will give me few words be
/ fore you goi Come down stairs and let III
drink to the memory Of dear old Nice
q And-and have news"
' "Your engagement and was forgetting
my congratulations" He took breath
How objectionable OF me, but really S,
e many Of my friends have taken the fata
Q step just lately I'm getting quite confused
, Is your iiancee here2"
mo, unfortunately"
: "Ah. my misfortune | am sure. Well, 4
, leaves me something to look forward to
: Good night, Mr.. Eldon, and bien des chooses
, for your future happiness. There's M
r chaperon. must fly"
= She waved frivolous hand. There wa
1 o look OF surprised disappointment on hi
/ charming face. And yet be gave anothe
deep sigh of relief as he turned into the ball
: room
Wonderful luckl But somehow
thought she'd take it differently" said h
to himself
5 And she drove home. Only when she go
h to her own room and remembered just wha
II. A.I