Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-12


been critically observing TIE comnanv of
dancers in general and Elinor and her COM
panion in particular. She used TO be
Miss Rossiter." Her voice was full of sig
nihcance as she turned to a lady seated
next to her. mo doweri You understand
The young man is sort of relative /
think" Here her voice lowered discreetly
and the rest was lost in the ready of
the listener, But match was out of
the question. of course she added. Mrs.
Rossiter was too ambitious for that
Where, asked the recipient Of this in
formation lis Mr.. Strongg'
out westn' returned Miss Garnett, with
sweet smile and a sweeter accent
Unmindful of the interest they excited
in the breasts of these good ladies, Elinor
and Charlie paused little apart from the
vortex of moving figures. He looked across
the floor. his manner preoccupied and
thoughtful
They are trying their best to enjoy them
selves" he finally observed.
Trying she repeated. Then added:
who was 1t said that to pursue joy was
to lose it?
Some one who tried the game l guess"
answered Charlie.
His glance swung to her The slight dis
order of the brown eurls seemed to bid
defiance to those purely subjective and IN
ward Joys sung by the philosophers: the
brilliancy of her eyes lighted spark In
his
What do you say to dance, ElinorT
After such cyncism-'
81 retract-most humbly" he interposed
quickly, and together they glided over the
floor.
As the exhilarating rhythm of the music
made itself felt Charles face lost its haii-
moody look of the earlier part OF the even
Ing. Several times they circled the r9oH.
by Jove you can dance" he said at
length.
How fatteringr' she retorted. her quick
breath touching his cheek. He looked down
at her and involuntarily his arm frightened
vi hon N he
brought to abrupt and rather Vloient
standstill by colliding with another couple.
Laughing, she released herself; al ner 'ee'
lay several violets. torn from her gown.
I'm afraid, Charlie, l can't return your
compliment
Secretly annoyed, he stopped for the flow
Then you don't want to finish the
dance?"
AS he spoke the music stopped.
1T has finished ITSELF she answered and
placed hand on his arm
Where now?" he asked.
"Anywhere."
He led her to the door. and together they
stepped upon the veranda From the clat-
ter of voices within to the comparative
quietude without was tranquillizing
change For q moment Elinor stood, listen
Ing to the assuagtng voices OF the night
and facing the breeze. with garments
sweeping behind her. The air was full OF
rustlings. strange grooming lullaby, run
ming like melody above an undsrtone
You don't find 1t too coolr'
She did not answer, and he raised the vio-
lets, inhaled them, watching her the while.
The pale dimness from the myriad jets in
the sky bathed her face Christening yet re-
vealing it to the young mans steadfast
gaze. In contrast to the gaiety of but a
short time before her expression now was
sober thoughtful. Many questions that had
vaguely assailed him returned with res
doubled force.
MI Strong is coming back soon?"
Did she start?
II haven't heard" she replied and sanh
down into chair.
What! Doesn't he say anything about IL
in his letters?'
NO he hasn't referred to it-in his let.
ters."
An indefnable subtlety of tone puzzled
Charlie. Standing near the rail. he lighte6i
cigar and smoked meditatively, striking
the ashes frequently from the weed. y
Nor has he said anything about when he
would be home in his letters to the of1ce,'hl
observed Dalton: Before left people kept
dropping In What was he doing? Whati
consolidation was brewing?"
He saw her fingers intertwine.
Why she asked. Does his being away
make such q difference?"
Because in his absence the little fellows
are all out of their reckoningI Afraid OF
their own shadows!' laughed Dalton
Elinor laughed too! Il dare say they MISC
him very much"
He regarded her quickly. Yes; almost as
much as you do"
only In different way
Lie WoIuS SpFdHS from nef IDS IN spite
Of herself, half-lightly. alf-mockingly. :;
From his point of vantage, Charlie detected
q new expression on her face. What did it,
mean? A sudden glimpse OF Mrs. Rossitet
through the open window completed tha
picture. That good lady, majestically wav4
Ing fan, as waving aside all sentimental
nonsense, was the World
Charlie crushed the violets in his hand.
Il was right" he thought. She was saca
rifced after ALL"
And something indefinite became definite
within Dalton's breast 1t famed up like
fire. With quick gesture he threw his
cigar savagely from him, and. wheeling
around, looked away out into the darknessS
AT that moment the music began to play
and she arose. Shall we go in?'
Charlie started; turned. IF you"-h6
strove to modulate his voice to its convent
tonal Characteristic give me this dance.h /
She brushed her hand lightly across her
eyes as she preceded him through the long.
open window: then faced him with q smildt
with pleasure. of course. 1 feel just like
dancing tonight"
To ~