Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1910-11-10

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'T-oh, some one is coming! Let
ne go, jack"
AS he released her hand she slipped
by him, and at the moment a louder
,hord from the piano sounded through
he opening portie-e, and Won Ham
nerstein came into the room. He
flushed and smiled with an air Of
satisfaction at sight of the slender,
white figure. Found at last, gna-
iiges F'raulein," he said, coming di-
ectly toward her. but including the
other man in his salute. you have
been truant."
Anne steadied herself to the in
| stinctiyely rally every woman, old or
goung, makes when hard pressed. She
managed to smile back, as she said:
And are you the truant officer?"
"Gott bewahr," laughed the lieuten-
ant, 81 am not in the civil service
But you-they are playing a waltz"
is he spoke his glance grew keen,
passing from the girl to the man, then
became carefully observing. He had
paused, and Mr. Durham began to
speak, quickly, but in an ordinary
tone. So it happened that both men
said, almost in unison:
This was my dance, | think?" and
May | have the honor?"
Then both stopped, and Strengthened
Involuntarily The German flushed;
the American was very pale In mo-
ment the lieutenant turned with an
elaborate formality to the other man.
We are rivals" he said dramatically,
and with smile. will either of us
withdraw"
mot unless you wish to-" said the
other, with the same courteous inflec-
ton, but gravely.
A CLEAN came into the lieutenant's
blue eyes, and a. direct look passed
between the two After that neither
man looked at the other; each looked
at the girl, and both spoke In the tone
Of accumulated lightness the lieuten-
ant had used The latter said: I'VE
are In your hands, fair lady, which
will you honor?
But, meme Herren," said Anne,
with touch of nervousness in her
smile, 81 cannot dance with you both
at once; you surely will not put me
to the discomfort of denying myself
either pleasure?" But her question
ing look met no sign of the expected
withdrawal in either face. Instead,
Jack spoke, his eyes meeting hers
squarely: 1T is too bad; but you see
Won Hammerstein and are such bit
te- rivals that we insist on decision
from you"
Precisely" assented the German,
bowling; I'VE await your choice,
gnadiges Fraulein.'
Il vivid flush sprang to the girFs
cheeks. 81 think | shall have to sit
out this dance" she said, her heau a
little higher than it had been
Pardon me" Interrupted Mr. Dur
ham, quickly; don't say you won't
play, please. The object of this game
is to choose your partner-and Lieut..
vcl Hammerstein and are very anx'
Ious to play"
Very" said the gentleman re
ferred to.
Anne stood between them, every
natural and tactful way d. Ec-i#
Of the trining difIiculty made impos-
sible to her consciousness by the
electric atmosphere of disguised earn
estness and covered significance
which emanated from the two. Every
Thing seemed all at once to drop away
rom the world leaving her alone with
those two men, waiting for more
than her answer to the insignificant
claim.
There are rules for every game
she said. slowly her head bent, as she
stood before them. This one is usu'
ally decided according to priority
isn't it?' She heard Jack take q
quick hard, breath, the lieutenant
had really begun his little speech
first. At the same time the latter
bent toward her eagerly. Did not
have the good fortune to precede Mr.
Durham, very slightly" he said, touch
ing his mustache nervously. Anne
moved uncertainty, waveringly, toward
him. A light sprang to his eyes as he
saw the little motion. Are we to
keep strictly to the rules?" he said
with a suppressed triumph in his
light tone. IF so, / think Fraueiu
Gregory belongs to mel"
The girl started and lifted her head
sharply. A strange expression fitted
across her face 1t looked as ii she
were listening inwardly. What did
you say?" she asked after a moment
very gravely and slowly.
The lieutenant smiled at her with
more than a suggestion of claim in
his glance 81 said you were mine
for the dance, nicht wahr?" he said
with just a hint of lingering on the
word before the pause.
AS he said it, 1t seemed to the man
who stood cold and tense with dawn
ing despair at her onther side, thai
m electric shock ran along he girl.
nerves Her color came and wen
swiftly, Her eyes flashed open wide
md startled A moment she stood so
in silence, looking at the man who
had spoRen. Then sudden sweet lit