Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-06
CHAPTER XIV.
The Quest of Vulcan


Marques had been erected here and there in
the open where refreshment dispensed
with liberaty that did better credit to Gerry
Schuyler's munifcence than to his judgment. /
But Gerry had discovered that, no matter how {
we'll function might be devised, it pos v
sibe to mar its effect by too discriminate t
hospitality and stupid occasions, he had often
noted had by like provision been made
reasonably bearable. 1t was not for him to
take the burden of other peoples frailties on :
his shoulders. He had troubles enough of his h
own, and the children of the younger set who c
had not cut their stomach teeth were better
back in the nursery.
Garriott met Dudley De Witt stumbling
his rapier at of the refreshment
tables. Brooke hadn't found it possible to =
establish himself intimate terms with his :
guest, and his stomach was far too trust a
worthy to permit him to understand the
carries of the hypochondriac; but somehow to- t
night there seemed bond of sympathy be- z
tween them.
Hello, Garriott You alone too? Beasty o
affair this What's the of all this rubbish?
Can't avoid your enemies can't find your
friends. Ali BANKED nonsense! Why can't
people stay at home and play bridge like
Christians? Why don't even know Nina!
Seen her anywhere, Garrott?
Eyes, danced with her awhile ago.
coh eagerly You know her Enc costume nne+
She had yellow wig and some sort of puffy kind
of thing. They all look alike to me, De Witt"
He might have made exception or two; but that
was his affair and poor De Wits matrimonial troubles
didn't keeny interest him. When he had last seen Nina
De Witt she disappearing into the shadows of the
of his companion made him wish that he could give him
pleasanter information.
That's it, growle,d Dudley You're all in the
conspiracy. They're all wearing puffy things. That
doesn't help much" Then, irritaby, Have
drink"
They toasted each other in silence the older man un-
consciously presenting Garrot portent of what the
future might hold in store for him. 1t easy,
easy drift careessy down stream on the Beotan tide!
This man. they told him, had once been reckoned sue
cessfu The parallel deadly enough as it was-Gar
RIOTS wife too was in the garden!
With an abrupt gesture he drank and sat his glass
down on the table. Come, De Witt, he said with
show of gaiety, this is place for you. Beauty is
waiting on the terrace" He led him and up the
lawn. Besides, you'll be feeling like the deuce to-
I'm feeling like the deuce now," whined De Witt.
Hello! What's up!'
A HERALD gorgeously dressed in costume of Old
= England, had blown dozen blasts on his long
trumpet and announcing the beginning of the rustic
dances Around them was the sound of voices as the
figures of the masqueraders silvered with the
light emerged in groups from the obscurty of the trees
and gardens where they had wandered in the inter-
mission and converged upon the terrace. Garrott
ruthessly left his companion and plunged into the thick
of the throng, finding himself presently amiable terms
with graceful person with trim waist slender ankles,
and brogue who announced that she was Kitty OF
Colerane
By couples they danced the length of the floor and
back again to the music of Dancing in the Barn..
Gerry Schuyler Pan led the figure, his STOPPING
shoulders and bowed legs noticeable than ever in
his curious costume His partner Florry Vanuxen,
who Diana reached, she did not pass, the limit OF
decorous drapery But she graceful and knew it,
and the of her dro partner served only throw
her comeliness into higher relief. Orlando and
Maid Marian Little Boy Blue and Charlotte Corday,
Tony Lumpkin and Lorna Doone, Miles Standsh and
Priscilla, Bob Acres and Quakeress, Friar Tuck and
Rosand and all the others followed in their turn each
couple vyng with those who had gone before in the
originality Of their burlesque And when they all swung
into the twostep that followed their laughter still echoed
above the gay of the orchestra.
tarantella by members of the younger set, pre-
vously rehearsed after Eight debutantes, with