The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1906-07-25


with a sigh Her enjoyment of music
was So acute ut times it touched the
borderland of pain Her eyes wan
dered to the other occupant of the box
who had entered late, and she was sur
prised to lind his gaze liked ON her In
recognition She felt a fush glow be
meath her olive skin. then she bowed
distantly and With sort of finality.
returning to the study Of her pro
gramme. 1t was one of the small boxes
tucked far back In the wide balcony Of
the academy but, as Joan assured
her mother, music was quite as enjoy
able there as ia the more conspicuous
seats.
When the solo ended she could not
resist CHANGING toward her companion
or smiling III recognition of their mu
tual enjoyment Besides had he not
saved her at his own risk from u
scorching motor ear only the week be
fore? At the time she had been so
startled that she barely thanked him,
her one desire being to avoid the disa
greeable attention caused by her es
manners to thank him now
You We're very prompt and coura
geous the other day" she began gra
eiously My thanks We're slight, but
don't judge my gratitude by that"
Il trust you suffered no Ill effects
from the adventuref"
'No-that IS, nothing material" Joan
laughed at her own wit, having con
fided to her sister that her rescuers
fine eyes and rich deep voice had
haunted her ever since. Her laugh
loosenel the strain of reserve, SO that
they exchanged criticisms on the
orchestra The girl was delighted to
find some one as music mad as herself
She rose regretfully when 1t was over
but he detained her, asking ditfidently:
"Will you permit me to Introduce
myselfY'
Accepting the proffered card, Joan
recognized name given by her sister
as that of fellow guest at their aunt's
recent reception Her hero, then
proved all II maid could desire, though
his very prominence left little chance
OF further acquaintance.
IF knew your name" he suggested
hopefully. perhaps mutual friend-l
do want To know you better"
Joan hesitated, but because he was
SO evidently ia earnest wus tempted
TO admit: Pm called Joan, and there
is at least one person who knows US
both. II sincere you will find out the
rest for yourself" Then she hurried
home.
& A tale of tribulation greeted her.
"Bridget has gone, without moments
notice" her sister complained. "Mother
and | have worked all the afternoon.
Joan, I'm distracted unless you'll help
me"
I'm not much good at cooking"
protested Joan, ''snd for dinner par
ty-Alice, you'll be a fright II you cry
or rub your nose any redder. What
do you want me to dof"
Mother Will flash the cooking"
declared Alice "Will you serve it,
Oh, please" as Joan negatived the sug
gestion. Il should be So Inundated If
compelled TO wait on ourselves! There
will be no ole that you know-only
two men"
Mr. Give inquired Joan. And on
her sister hodding assent she yielded,
with grimace.
Before going to her mothers as
sistance however, she could not resist
rela ting the afternoons meeting, wind
ing up triumphantly, so that my hero
proves to be the exclusive Laurence
Hale"
While dressing Alice thought un-
ca silly Of this revelation. Having told
Joan that the proposed guests were
strangers, If she now confessed Hale
to be one Of them would her sister not
refuse the part assigned her? Yet
much depended on the success of the
evening
The girls aunt, Mrs. Drew. moved In
the circle of Philadelphia elite. a
privilege forfeited by their mother on
her marriage to struggling musician.
or late Mrs. Drew, perhaps because of
Alice's resemblance to herself, had tax
en- an interest In her niece and had
given her winters gayety. an advan-
with an Informal dinner In order that
her mother might meet Give. who had
shown her considerable attention Be
fore Brdget's DETECTION everything had
promised well: even now there need be
no failure II Joan fulfilled her promise
''Will doY" demanded Joan, rushing
ia arrayed In regulation black with a
white apron, her naturally wavy hair
drawn severely back and pinned close.
ly around her head
Alice felt treasured. Joan looked so
demurely prim.
She received the guests, 50 loan did
not see them until she announced soft
ly, Dinner Is served" when meeting
the astonished gaze Of Laurence Hale
she fled precipitately back to the dining
room. Enraged that such trick should
have been played her, her first thought
was of throwing up the task and leav-
ing the little party to shift for itself.
The harm, however, was done. Alice's
eyes pleaded for forgiveness. which
Joan willfully misunderstood by offer
ing her the olives. She watched Cliye
with curiosity, discovering that though
he was deferential to her mother and
took his part In the conversation he
seemed to think only OF her sister. and
with rush Of tender sympathy Joan
forgave the embarras sment OF her own
position.
That Hale was puzzled and chagrined
he showed plainly, but she systemati.
cally avoided meeting his eye When
the ladies returned to the parlor with
Give In their wake Hale hung back
Joan. busy with the silver, waited curl
ously, but apparently changing his In
tention Hale followed his friend.
You were perfect dear" her moth.
er admitted the next day. but only
consented to the plan because Alice
fretted So
What can it matter" exclaimed
Joan comfortingly Il have no society
aspirations, as has Alice"
Before the week passed Alice's en-