Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-05-03
The Disarming of Damaris.

1
Damaris was standing before her bu-
/ reau. dressing by the light of branch OF
candles which were burning on a small
table behind her. She had come to the
end of her toilet. Her long white gown
was perfectly adjusted, her hair SHIN
mered in satisfactory soft mass about
her head, but still she stood, swaying I'M
decidedly in her high-heeled slippers, be-
fore putting on her cloak.
What color to wear in her hair She
| had ribbons and roses to select from.
The roses had been picked for her this
| afternoon out OF the garden, for it was
/ balmy spring weather-Small white roses
very sweet; few pink ones, a large red
| one. Her choice naturally favored the
PINK, but he had admired her in pink and
| declared for it as her color so often that
II seemed like direct compliment to him
| should she select it. She had particular
| reasons FOR not wishing to compliment
| him directly this evening. She thought
| this with a flush and smile, putting n
bunch Of the white roses against her
| hair. Her costume was too white. she
needed color. She tried the red; it was
100 eHectlye, The pink buds were beau
| tlfui, suitable. She fastened them in
put her cloak about her and went down
| stairs.
In the carriage, every moment bringing
her nearer TO him, she sat, smoothing her
white gloves over her fingers and won
dering II any girl had ever been so sure
| beforehand that she was going TO be
| proposed to during the course of ball
That morning she had met him in n
| crowded street ear. He had come and
stood before her. He had on light
spring suit and look of expectation and
happiness in his face.
or know that ] have often apostro-
phzed my uncle as an unappreciative per-
son who would keep me subordinate for
Years very likely?" he asked her. ''Nen.
ne mas done the great nagnanmous deed
about a quarter of century before |
dared look for it. I'm junior member of
ms law firm; but that's the insignificant
detail which opens before me a very
great opportunity. Perhaps you remem-
her what | said about this thing, should
II ever come TO pass?'
She did remember SO perfectly that she
turned her head away and felt her face
tingling.
1T seems to me I've heard You saw
something about following the foolish
example of Benedict when You could af-
ford II. she renlied with assumed frank
ness, realizing that he knew she remem-
bered. Il suppose she added audacious-
". that we shall soon hear that Won
nave embraced your opportunity
Are you going to Mrs Wentworth's
tonight = he asked. irreeyantly.
Yes. she replied, with little spasm
Of fright, for there was another girl
whom these things might interest. But
he looked down at her in such way
that the throb Of jealousy passed almost
before ii was realized
shall embrace II tbnight-if can
he whispered
Then she arrived at her corner and got
away.
Damaris, sitting in the carriage. knew
that she had dressed with great care.
that she had sDent the day in restless ex-
element, that now, approaching nearer
him each moment. she was nncomforta.
biy conscious of the motion of her heart:
but in. spite of all this, womanlike, he.
cause he had let her know frankly that
she had no reason TO doubt. she pretend
ed 10 herself that he had shown too much
assurance, and even made pretense, In
her own mind, of taking n critical tone
toward him. Perhaps this was trick to
forify her pride. At any rate. she got
herself into this mental atmosphere, so
that when she saw him in the hall. as
she was on her way TO take off her
wraps. she bowed to him coolly and
made an engagement with Jimmy Scud-
der for the FIRST dance.
If lac had danced with the other girl
he would have had no trouble with Da-
mariS that evening. but he did not think
of that, and stood by the wall. biting his
lips and waiting for chance to get pos
session Of her card. She waltzed very
near him several times. looking straight
into Jimmy Scudder's eyes and smiling
When the dance was ended he went to
her
lie held ont his hand for hers.
"Damaris." he said, may | look mt
your card$"
namaris gave him the card, but with
held her hand
I've seen you before" she asserted.
with Il smile.
NO, not this evening
why. yes, in the hlllw
Not to shake hands. reproachfullv.
I've shaken hands with so many peo-
pie she exclaimed. laughing. Il really
Thought | had with YOU. You needn't
look so earnest about 1t; OF course, | be-
lieve YOU. Here's my hand. then" She
looked away at once. and began talking
animatcdly with her next partner.
Presently their dance came round. He
came to her again, and stood looking lu-
tcntly at her until she turned To him.
She was conscious of him standing therA
for some time. before she pretended "a,
be aware of him; then she turned Will
widc open. smiling eyes, and hrovS
raised, plainly in the lighteSt mood 10
looked into the wide eyes earnestly.
"pmnariS,' he pleaded, ''woud =;
mind sitting this out.-on the piazza? lie
awfully hot in here.
Il never sit ont dance in the first
part % the evening" said Damaris posi-.
lively
lie ignored policy. "Oh. Damaris.
that's rule Won can break. Please
come; | hate this hot room. / want To
talk to yon-hy Yourself"
''NNhv should ] break my rule?" muir
INJURED DamariS. She tapped her foot and
swayed a little as the waltz grew full
and strong. LA Paloma" she eN-
claimed.
lie stood still. locking Mt her, and she
Rent her profile turned 20 him, intently
watching the dancers. She felt his gaze.
and her heart WAS heating very hard.
suddenly she smiled to keep her mouth
free from trembling. He saw the smile
aud a look Of humor in her eyes; his own
face Stitfeued.
lets dance" he suggested abruptly,
aud she had barely time to catch uD the
rnjl of her gown before he whirled her
into the crowd on the floor He was
Very angry. namariS knew it by the
inlmovabiv stiffness OF the arm he held
"hout her aud hy the business like qua
ity Of his dancing: he gaZed straight over
her head. and though she could not see
them, she knew the fash that was in
his eyes