Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-12-02
(Copyright, by ]. b. Lippincott Coz

Armitage was making his way
through Mrs. Holden's crowded ball
room when just inside door leading
| to the hall he. felt the touch Of hand
upon his arm and turned to find him.
self facing a girl in white, with no col
or about her except the opals that
! glowed in her hair and at her shape
ly throat.
II beg your pardon" the girl said
gently, "but l have been watching you
and have noticed that you seem to
know no one. / think you must be
the Mr.. Maxwell from the west Mrs.
Holden told me she expected. / sup
pose she is too busy to see that you
are properly taken care of, but l am
friend of hers and often help her
with her entertaining, SO If you will
allow me l shall be glad to present
you to some pleasant people"
Armitage smiled. THANK you very
much" he said, but 1 am just leav-
ing"
The girls forehead contracted in a
little frown of establishment. II don't
believe you've danced at ALL" she said.
NO" replied Armitage, II have not
danced at all"
A rush of merriment lighted up her
face. II thought that was what peo-
pie went to balls for-to dancer" she
said.
Il did not come here to dance, at
any rate" the young man returned,
his eyes rejecting the mirth In hers,
but | thank you none the less for
your kindly thought. l did not know
that people at dances ever considered
the pleasure of others-excepting the
hostess, of course"
The young woman in white regard
ed him quizzically. 81 am afraid yon
mean that for slap at Mrs. Holden
for neglecting you," she said. Now,
| haven't a doubt that she is at this
moment thinking Of you, but she is
probably surrounded by dozen peo-
pie. You have no idea how many the
duties of hostess are"
Armitage smiled. Il think the pres
ent occasion is the first time / ever
heard one woman defend another
he said.
"Oh, for shame!" cried his com
panion. She smiled as she spoke, but
her eyes were reproving. II cannot
submit to hearing my sex DETAINED In
that sweeping fashion," she continued
so II you are sure / can do nothing
for you I'll 30 away"
You can do something for me II
you will" Armitage said quickly
obeying an impulse, you can give
me this dance"
The girl looked surprised and lit
tic troubled at his request You for
get that we are strangers" she said
II suppose / ought not even to be talk
ing to you now, but / knew Marian
Mrs. Holden, / mean-would fel bad
ly IL you weren't looked after, anC
So"
1T was most kind of you to offer t.
put me in the way of securing part
ners," Armitage interrupted, speaking
warmly. II am at fault for taking ad
vantage of your goodness"
His companion looked at him mo
ment and then broke into a laugh. Z"
believe l have been making 'mucl
ado about nothing" she said. 81 will
give you the rest of this waltz will
pleasure, and afterward we'll find Mrs
Holden and get her to present you t
me. At least l know who you are.
II wonder in which direction we hat
better look for Marian the girl sal,
. as she took the arm Armitage OF
fered her when the music stopped.
Armitage did not at once reply.
, Cant we go out of this crowd
moment?" he said finally II hav,
something to say to you before yo,
|. take me to Mrs. Holden"
y The girl led the way to a music
+ room opening from the hall. He
! face was grave as she sat down be
! fore the grand piano. She motione,
Q Armitage to take chair, but he re
= NAMED standing.
I'm not Maxwell" he began abrupt
!, ly; I'm reporter sent here to writ
up this affair for the Dial"
His listener received this news 4
manner somewhat different fror
4 what he had anticipated. You ar
iNpOiNSA. oht SllSu, uGT lace aRION
with interest; then perhaps you ca
: tell me how to become one"
you! A reporter"
YES" said the girl
Give up the idea" Armitage spok
d sharply.
You think / would find the wor
too hard?"
No." Armitage answered. 1T ism
: that. You are the plucky sort. on
can see at glance. But you'd hay
to lose too much"
Us 1t possible to realize an amb
I ton without sacrifces?" retorted m
' girl gently. you have no doubt. ri,
! en- up much for the sake of YOU
work"
4 You would have to give up a gref
deal more than | did," Armitage r.
piled
why? And more of what?r