Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-20


ing
There a moment of silence before Lanister
could trust himself to look up. When he did So she
had recovered her composure. Her lips again
smiling and her eyes again bright-brghter than
ever, for the light that from them through
glaze of undropped tears.
Can't we go somewhere and get away from this
beastly crowd? said Lanster, wrinkling his brows
and studying his fngernails. 1t seems SO absurd
to be talking like this in ball room.
Everything we have ever done has been absurd"
she answered, with a laugh Why shouldn't we
continue the practce?"
Does that mean that you had rather remain
where you are?"
No; that had rather do what you suggest 1t
seer'~ deiciously ridiculous for two sensibly
Sepn> persons to sit down and enjoy quiet
tete-a-tete. But-there is SO much want to hear
from your own lips.
Is there? Do you really care
About your literary success! Oh, yes!' she in
terJected smilingly After all, there is something
in reflected greatness, and one can't help feeling
little pride in being the wife OF great literary
genlus-especally when she remembers that she
contributed to that greatness, and, indeed, made
it possible, by removing herself from his march
to the Temple of Fame want to talk to you
about The Sands of Pactous. 1t simply
superb-the novel of the year. But you must be
tired of hearing that.
4 ana little" admitted Lanister. I've
But let that pass; want to talk of other things
tonight. Cant we go somewhere and be alone
together for little while, Peggy"
like little twitch. What, here?" she said gaily.
"Was ever anything SO absurd? Who could be
alone even for one poor instant when Mrs Mon
five hundred? Every nook and corner overiows
with the ingredients of the rich jam. ;"
Then somewhere else"
9 Somewhere else is indefinite. Unless"
" Unless WHAT"
The momentary 1ull was broken by the band
striking up again She glanced at her program
and then out the filled room.
II am down on the card for this with Mr.
Halliday" she said and here he comes to claim
it. Do you mind if | leave your"
Have l any choice?" he answered bitterly
Have any right to a choice? But won't you
go on with what you were saying! Somewhere
else is indefinite, unless
Unless you to find out where Madame
Peggy Ianiateri lives, and to play Lochinvar-
and carry her off thereto Arcadia-after this
dance is done,' she said, with laugh and faint
rise of color, as she walked by him and went to
meet her advancing partner. And if more
said. Lanster lost it in the gush of the music and
the swish of her skirt she went circling down
the long light room with coat sleeve around
her waist and her eyes shining out over the
of mans shoulder
1t was after twelve clock and she had danced
five dances without catching any further glimpse
of him. although she had looked searchingy
about the crowded rooms, when she came upon
him next. He was standing at the foot OF the
stairs in the big entrance hall with his hat i'll his
hand and long white opera cloak over his arm.
"Doady!" she began with little surprised laugh.
s. had given you up i
The cloak was round her shoulders before she
could finish the sentence and Lanister was pulling
her hand through his arm. "Come!' he said. I've
been waiting for you for ages. felt like rushing in
and throttling that fellow you were dancing with
last"
why didn't you? 1t would have expedited
matters, and think that should have relisled it
a little
'Oh, don't talk nonsense! AS if 1 had the right
as if l hadn't forfeited that! For Gods sake,
Peggy! what have we two been doing with our
lives?"
What we always wanted to do with then, of
course devoting them to Art and GROWING them
with the laurel of Success.