Evening star., 1909-09-12
The Aquarium Figure
Continued from page 10
Continued from page 10

she stood, flushed and lovely, the crimson scarf
over her shoulder making charming contrast
with her black velvet gown. As he stretched
forth his hand to take the net, his foot slipped
on something, he lost his balance, made wild
gesture with his arms to regain it, and then
measured his length on the floor.
"Set 'em up in the other alley" called out
his host jovially, as Carleton climbed blushingly
and painfully to his feet. " You are almost old
enough to stand without hitching, Carleton.
l could stand being hitched if could have
your luck, Major, rejoined Carleton laughing
with the rest, as he stopped to see what had
caused his downfall A small piece of some
greasy substance met his eye. He picked it up,
gave it quick glance, and thrust 1t into his
pocket, as he extended his to Mrs. Mason.
Other dancers now approached the aquarium;
and the fnny favors were drawn forth amid
much noise and Joll1ty
Carleton returning to Miss Marshall at the
end of the figure, found her absorbed IN her
prize.
Isn't he just too cunnings" she exclaimed
as she gazed fondly at her awkward pet m
going to dress him for the party now. She un-
tied one of the blue ribbons that bound her
sleeves and fastened it about the creatures
shell. "See-isn't he smart with pretty sash
around his little waist?" she cried, as Carleton
laughed heartily I'm going to keep HIM with
me all evening, and then tomorrow m gong
to sacrifice him to my appetite and have ter
rapin a la Maryland for luncheon. Just think,
Mr. Carleton-the real thing, none of your
canned imitations!"
But terrapin, even in basket, is not the
most convenient kind of pet to be companion
to a girl at dance, and it was not long before
the young woman announced that Terry
looked sleepy, and she was going to put him to
bed in the conservatory and let him take nap.
He's not accustomed to sitting up SO late,
and he'll be perfectly safe there" she told Car
Teton as she returned. i've locked the door
leading to the porch and the only way you can
get in is from the inside, through the library;
SO no one can lake him out. He looks such a
dear, with his blue bowl"
A T this moment the cotillion being over,
= Pinckney Mason led Carleton to his den to
show him new gun he had lately added to his
Have cigar" said the Major as they
tered the den I'm dying for smoke, and
you can look at the gun too, if you want to-
Those young folk will dance for an hour yet
You couldn't drive EN- away. That's the trou-
Bile of having popular young wife"
Carleton contented himself with cigarette
approved of the gun, and soon made an excuse
to return to the ballroom.
"Ah" said the Major as he let him go, = for
got that you were one of those young folk your
self You've such level head and have done
so we'll in Wall Street that it's hard not to think
of you as an old fogy like myself"
Carleton laughed; but hurried back to Flea
Marshall. AS he passed the door of the
library on his way to the ballroom he caught a
glimpse of broad back disappearing into the
conservatory at the far end
"Lessing, eh? Going to another little rem
devious with Mrs. Pinckney, perhaps" were
the words in which his thoughts silently shaped
themselves. my lady had better take care.
Pinckney is proud and hot headed; hed never
overlook such a scene as Miss Marshall and l
surprised awhile ago." But as Carleton en-
tered the ballroom he noticed that Mrs. Mason
was arranging the ten or twelve couples who
still fingered for an old fashioned Virginia reel.
Seeing much to his relief, that Eleanor Mar
shall was there too. and ready to dance with
him, he paid no more attention to Lessing, in
whose flirtations he was not in the least con-
cerned, SO long as the fellow kept away from
women in whom he himself felt an interest.
MRS. MASON, romping through the dance.
~ was interrupted by an exclamation from
her husband who had followed Carleton back
to the ballroom.
Laura, your diamond Where is it," In
the rush of the dance the crimson scarf had
slipped from Mrs. Mason's shoulder; but the
gem no longer cleaned on the black velvet
strap. In moment all was confusion. Mrs.
Mason, distress written large all over her
lovely face shook out her gown and scrutinized
its folds. The other women made a like search.
1t was possible that the stone might have fallen
to the floor and been caught up in one of the
trailing gowns.
Where were you when you had it last?"
asked Carleton.
IL don't remember" Her lip quivered
little. 1T was there before we had the scarf
figure; for l remember Nell said something to