Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1910-01-14

white figure. Found at last, gna.
diges Fraulein." he said. coming di.
rectly toward her but including the
other man in his salute. You have
been truant."
Anne steadied herself to the In.
stinctively rally every woman, old or
young. makes when hard pressed. She
managed to smile back, as she said:
And are you the truant ofacer?"
Cot bewahr." laughed the lieuten.
ant, Il am not in the civil service.
But you-they are playing a waltz"
as 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 q mo-
ment the lieutenant turned with an
elaborate formality to the other man.
I'VE are rivals" he said, dramatically,
and with smile. ''Will either Of u
withdraw"
Not unless you wish to-" said the
other. with the same courteous inhec-
ton, but gravely.
A CLEAN came into the lieutenant's
blue eyes. and q 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 a touch Of nervousness in her
smile. Il 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" a.
Precisely" assented the German,
bowling; I'VE await your choice,
gnadiges Fraulein."
"A vivid flush sprang to the girls
cheeks. Il think l shall have to sit
out this Dance" she said. her head q
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..
vca Hammerstein and are very anx-
ious to play"
Very" said the gentleman re-
ferred to.
Anne stood between them, every
natural and tactful way Of disposing
Of the trifling difficulty made impos-
sible to her consciousness by the
electric atmosphere of disguised earn
est1ess and covered Significance
which emanated from the two. Every
thing seemed all at once to drop away
from the world leaving her alone with
those two men, waiting for more
than her answer to the insignificant
claim. ----5..a#..
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 a
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 suppressed triumph In his
light tone. 1T so, think Fraulein
Gregory belongs to mel"
The girl started and lifted her head
sharply. A strange expression fitted
across her face. It looked as II she
were listening inwardly. What did
you say?" she asked after moment,
very gravely and slowly.
The lieutenant smiled at her with
more than suggestion of claim In
his glance. II said you were mine
for the dance, NIGHT wahr?" he said,
with just a hint Of lingering on the
word before the pause.
AS he said 1t, 1t seemed to the man
who stood cold and tense with dawn
ng despair at her onther side, that
IN electric shock ran along the girls
nerves. Her color came and went
swiftly. Her eyes flashed open wide
md startled. A moment she stood so.
n silence. looking at the man who
lad spoken. Then sudden sweet lit
le laugh ran from her lips; her face
o .axed its tense lines, and she took
mick breath on the end of slight
hiver. With a swift. sure move
nent she drew slightly back and
side. SO that she stood at Mr.. Dur
,am's side. ION, no; I'm not" she
aid. with happy security in her
dice. "You are mistaken; ! wasn't
mite sure myself before-but-I be-
e to Mr.. Durham"
And as Jacks hand closed eagerly
yer the one she laid on his arm, and
is held breath released itself In q
reat sigh OF passionate relief and JOY,
he turned to the other candidate vita
gentle regret in her tender eyes.
Il am very sorry to seem unkind."
he said: "but the fact is, Mr.. Dur
am established his claim. long
lille ago"