The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-11-01


Maybe" he hazarded, you're bit of an out
slider like me-"
Yes she fa,tered Il am an outsider Drscou
laughed. Il don't know a soul in this room, but
one, and how find her 1 haven't the faintest no.
tion
Il don't belong here either" she replied desper
ately. I'm a stenographer from Boston and came
here on my vacation. Then this afternoon II
picked up an invitation to this on the beach, and
thought I'd But OH wish hadn't 1
think they suspect I'm having-Im having
perfectly CHASTITY time.
He danced next with a gorgeous Princess OF the
Empire who knew that she had never met him
before and firted with him outrageously. The
third time around his fell on the little Sister
seated alone in a corner of the room.
He asked the Princess why this should be.
Haven't you heard?' she replied languidy.
why. we're almost sure that she's of those
Ruthvens from Chicago. That's SO like Mrs. Van
dervoorts Hbera'ity, isn't it,"
well, isn't she NICE them" asked Tommy.
curously.
Nice" she echoed. "Oh, 1 suppose so, but she's
a rank outsider She's impertinent to come here
at all. Please tell me who you are!
Are you sure you don't recognize me?" par
ried Tommy, before detaching himself from the
Princess and making his over to the little Sis
ter for their third dance.
You simply mustn't sit there polishing the wall
like that" he demonstrated. You must mix
among them. There isn't thing to be afraid OF.
Why they all think that you're of the invited
guests-Miss Ruthven of Chicago, whom they are
cutting
But can't go about among the the people as
you say. l can't. I'm afraid to-"
Then" said Tommy earnestly, you must give
me the rest of your dances"
mo, I'm not selfish as that. You must
not miss such chance to dance with these rich and
distinguished people,"
Are they better to dance with than your"
scared voice. don't you want to get into society,""
How do you mean?" asked Tommy, puzzled.
BLESS you, have all the society want Give mo
the next one, ANYWAY won't you? And let me take
you to SUPPER
Ladies of quality gorgeously appareled, danced
the fifth and the seventh with him, and he pros
pered with them famously. The Sixth he took with
the little Sister again. During this his troubles
gan. short, stout Waiting with the Princess
the Empire, circled by him and hearkened to his
chatter.
why" he exclaimed, ''hang me If that black
domino isn't young Drscoll, who made fortune
out of pickles in New York! I'd know that laugh
among a thousand Well! who will be meet
ing next?"
Really" said the Princess. THAT one! Well,
don't He's acknowledgement If he is
taken with that Ruthven girl
The Short stout man knew Tommy in New York,
and liked him. but he felt, naturally that the func-
the hero. He mentioned this latest instance of
Mrs. Vandervoorts laxness to his aunt. Like Wild
fire. the scandal spread the result being that when
Tommy presently reentered the ballroom from the
veranda, giggling. suppressed but violent sprang
up behind Linn. The orchestra was just starting
dance-the ninth. He sauntered to the line
of people seated in chairs along the left hand WALL
rendered his to a decorated Bo-Peep. and was
emphatically refused
She's spotted me for an outsider" he concluded
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. now that he had had some
difficulty in securing partner for the eighth-and
ummoned next an Old Virginia belle of the Colon
al Period, who also, po.ntedly. declined him. Pass
ing he presently espied the Empire Princess
among the silent group of maskers, and he was
quite that she would dance with him. And
then, behind him, suddenly echoed a note OF sup
pressed laughter. AS he turned in the direction
from whence it similar cackle sprang up
from the other side. 1nen another and another
from the elder and sterner upholders Of tradition
until a score or more were sharing in the unseemy
nlrth. Tommy felt thai every eye in the great
fastened upon him.
What's the joker" he demanded pleasantly. 1T
seems to be on me, anyway"
He standing in the middle of the floor try
ing absurdly to inspect his own back, the unem-
barrassed cynosure of hundred unfriendly eyes.
AS his back turned to the door he did not
the Sister of Charity when she suddenly ap
peared at the threshold. She stood there a second
taking everything IN at a glance before moving
swiftly down the room, plucking at her mask a.
she walked.
"Why!" she cried in voice very different from
the frightened gurgle of the little Boston steno
grapher. This is outrageous usufferable!"
Voices rang out all over the room, why, it's Yes
pasia!-Miss Belden, upon my soul!'
She to Tommy with eyes shining cheek
flaming scarlet; and before them all, knelt dowI
proudly the polished floor and removed from
his skirts picture-that of a good-looking youn,
delightfully."- daying with gherkin.
Tommy took it, smiling, and crumpled it In hi
hand. as he led the into the dimly lighted con
servatory, leaving behind them a roomful of people
astonished, somewhat crestfallen, and even a bi
ashamed
Thank you for coming to the rescue" Miss Bel
den," he said, as the voices died behind. them
fr;nh che