The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-07-29
JANET AYRE FAIRBANKS
Copyright, 1901, by the Frank Leslie
Publishing House)

The smoke hung in thick clouds over
our heads, the air was blue with it,
but there were only six or seven #
us in the smoking. room, for the cotil-
lion had begun. We were discussing
Miss Marian Langley, or, to he exact,
the Others were. |, having learned
from sad experience that whatever ]
said of her was sure to reach that
young woman's ears, sat silent, for |
was angry with her, and had nothing
pleasant to say.
''She is a good looking girl" young
Smith observed. But You never can
tell what she will do next"
There is always one thing you can
count on. and that is jolly volun-
teered Rutherford. We all knew that
Marian had taken him up. played with
him and then dropped him, and one
or two of us may have smiled.
81 think she is corking fine girl!
She likes to have a good time, but she
deserves il. No one ever saw the
man that was bored by Marian Lang
ley" That speaker was Evarts Will
lard, an old admirer of Marian's, who
had ended his devotions by marrying
her best friend.
I'VE all know that she does not care
two straws for any of us, but III wa
ger that there is not one of us. except
Willard, who would not run to her
every time she put up her finger.
Nonsense" / interrupted.
"She dances like a fairy--Hello,
VIII, | thought you said she had
promised you the German"
My cigar was out, and before I had
succeeded in lighting it, Harrington
opened the door, letting in burst of
music.
We'll" he remarked, with q beam
ing smile, 81 must say that You 'stags
look pretty dull. What are you talk
ing about-NIiss Langley" His face
suddenly became grave for a moment,
then he added. confidentially, to me:
"You are all wrong anyway. Well,
she sent me for You. She wants her
fan. Come along
| knew nothing of Miss Langley's
fan. What was more. | knew she
knew l didn't; but nevertheless l fol-
lowed him to the door of the ball"
room.
The cotillion was nearing its riotous
end when ! joined the group of super
fuous men in the doorway. A line of
girls, with swinging skirts and wide
spread arms. was circhng rapidly past.
At the head of them all was Marian.
] knew where to look for her, as the
man who led the cotillion was sure to
claim her aid. Her head was held
high and her eyes were bright, but
with assumed indifference. In mo-
ment the line broke and. although ]
did not look, l knew that Marian was
coming toward me. She beckoned to
me over the other men. and we swung
off into an inspiring two-step. For a
little space We were silent. Then Ma
rian murmured:
"Are you cross with me. WIZ"
She well knows that nothing dssi-
pates a mans i'll humor so completely
as an inference that he has a right to
be angry.
"Why should / be cross?" | inquired,
avoiding her upturned eyes.
..'Oh-well-of. course l did promise
You the German, but, you see, MT.
Farrington-'
81 understand" I broke in shortly.
Abruptly Marian stopped dancing,
and drew me aside into tiny hallway
opening from the ballroom. A small
seat, just large enough to hold two
people, stood there, and Marian paused
before it.
81 had thought of sitting here for a
moment, but of course l don't care
about it if you are cross" She looked
at me gravely, her head cooked on
the side, and then one dmple sud-
denly broke into the serious oval of
her cheek. Her eyes began to dance
provokingly.
II looked away. 81 am cross" said
firmly, very cross, as / have reason
to be; but if you should sit down l
might feel more amiable.'
marian lifted her filmy skirts on
either side and sank into the seat