Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-06-09
Ht the nizdrd
 Cotil1iofa
By NEnnIH CRHVEY GInnMoRE
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 tCouyrirht. 1908. by Daily Story Pub Col

Sesseeseeasses
 Copyright, 1sos by, Daily story Pub co) I " HE crowded corridors, par1ors and | verandas of the Royal Poinciana ! presented scene scarcely to be sur l passed anywhere for wealth and splen- ! dor. There was the usual flash and sparkle of. jewels; the magnificent dis \ play of costumes, beautiful womens l bare of bosom and shoulder, and impos Ing men.
 :I The quintessence of ingenious taste reigned supreme. The ballroom, schemed to typify tropical wildwood, ! presented vast aspect of tangled fo- \ liage,t brilliant with native blossoms. Fastened to the network of vine and tree, with slender, almost invisible cords, the world of Lacertiliae disport- ed itself at will. Some, gorgeous in their livery of brilliant green. were sprightly, inquisitive, courageous, but entirely harmless. Others, shy and \ crusty coated, nibbled assiduously upon the food provided for them, or shrank back in modest retirement. There were flying drakes, frilled, blind and hedge lizards, monitors, geckos, some of the water species and innumer- able little house lizards, bright and variable in color.
 Tavares and his friend Jack Erickson ] made their way toward the ballroom. The first figure was already in prog ress.
 'We'll watch this out,' said Tavares, "and afterwards I intend presenting you to Mrs. Mainwaring. She is that ! tall, lovely blonde standing just I outside the door talking to the man l with the orders on his coat" Erickson followed the others gaze, and his heart gave sudden, tumultu- ous bound as he recognized the wom- an The light from the rose-cut chan delier above fell directly over her, changing the pink, flesh tint of her neck and arms to dead white marble. 1 The gown she wore was of delicate mauve, and dropped about her in be- witching cascades. Decidedly, Mrs. Mainwaring was a woman who not only could carry such things, but become them.
 For years Ericson had pictured to himself possible meeting With the girl who had made all the loye-dreams of his youth and later manhood, but l it had never been anything like this, The reality far eclipsed every investi- . ture of the ideal.
 But Mrs Mainwaring was another mans wifel
 At the conclusion of the figure, Tavares dragged him across the floor I towhere she stood. Ericson had framed a dozen commonplace remarks with which to greet her, but they all seemed to stick stubbornly in his throat as he once more gazed into the purple pansy eyes that had kept him bach. elor for the past ten years.
 "This is an undreamed of pleasure" he managed to say at last, clasping the hand she extended.
 At the sound of his voice, Mrs Main waring bent swift, startled glance upon him, her color changing quickly.
 "Jack Ericson-of all people!" she exclaimed. "Why, I thought you were in Germany studying" She broke off and bit her lip in some vexation for having betrayed the fact that she had | and that 'man-h him.
 l /''I have been in Germany for good many years" he explained, taking up her words, engaged in the study of mineralogy. have but just arrived, and tomorrow shall leave for the west, where hope to make practical use of the knowledge have spentyears trying to perfect"
 l Tavares had vanished and they stood there longer than either knew, talking and taking no note of time Presently Mrs. Mainwaring recalled herself with start.
 You must let me find you apart ner," she apologized, 1T quite forgot for the moment that was monopoliz- ing you, when all this time am sure you have been dying to join the l dancers"
 But Ericson made decided protest against any such inclination.
 Indeed, I would far rather not he insisted, eagerly, that is, if you think you can put up with my society little while longer.''
 "Oh, perfectly we'll" she responded, with smile, 'but for the next half hour shall have to devote myself to some of the guests. When you see me disengaged. come"
 When Mrs. Mainwaring had disap- peared in the crowd, Ericson took up his position in the shadow of huge bank of palms where he could observe all that was going on, without him. self being observed.
 Now for the first time he gave his at tention to the dancing. Favors were