The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-07-11
(Continued)

rang out the merry chorus.
Don't forget the hunt"
Bring Robert, old man."
"Adois, Theo."
The car started noisily, and
whfrled down the driveway.
II am so tired" sighed the girl
on the steps, gathering up her
shimmering skirts and throwing
back the mood Of her cloak. MA
ma has gone to bed, John? Oh,
and l do want tea! Why should
1 not have tea at midnight, if l
like? l love to be revolutionary"
"Why not, indeed? Sit down
there in your chosen divan, my
lady"
you will bring me tea?"
"Wait only"
She sank laughing into a chair
and began to draw off her long
gloves, watching him as he moved
to little tea table in a nook of
the veranda. Allard possessed an
almost feminine deftness at such
tasH; perhaps it was as well that
Robert was not busted with the
fragile china and glass that
evening.
ut was nice Dance" Theodore
unused aloud. But then, almost
everything is nice. Only l missed
you and Robert. A dance without
Robert is like q salad without
cayenne
"And a salad with cayenne?"
as the chief Joy Of lifes din
ner."
He brought the cup and she ex-
tended slim, jeweled hand to re-
ceive it. Theodore had a some
what oriental taste; odors of
sandalwood and rose breathed from
her laces. her white wrist sparkled
with slender bracelets, and the high
comb in her blond hair held the
CLINT of gems.
"Why do you not laugh at my
epigram?" she demanded. THANK
you; | would say you were adorable
If you did not already know it..
Please give me biscuit. and give
yourself some tea. Why are you
so serious tonight
81 had something to tell you,
think"
She waved a commanding spoon.
"Then sit down and begin
But Allard remained silent, re-
garding her. 1t was not easy to
begin. Moreover, the glamour of
the future had fallen away, leaving
the naked ugliness; and he was
held by a president certainty that
tonight ended forever this gracious
life.
Robert is not up?" Theodore
Queried presently too fine to insist
on the suggested confidence.
mo. Are you sorry, Theo?"
Surprised at the tone, she
glanced up, but the shadows were
heavy where he sat.
"Why, yes, of course" And re-
covering herself, Certainly; how
could we exist without him."
"How indeed?" he echoed, rather
too quietly for naturalness. Sup
pose he were to go away?'
81 should expire Immediately of
~ennui. You see, he and l have a
bond of frivolity; while against you
we all lean for support. You are
very supporting John; now. this
tea," she laughed gleefully. Rob
ert probably would have pressed
champagne upon me, because it is
less trouble to get it."
"You might have made tea your
SELF" he suggested, drawing a
branch of wisteria to shade his
face more completely.
81 hate to do things for myself.
I hope that | never will have to-"
81 hope not But l promised to
tell you something. l am going on
trip to South America; part bust
ness. part restlessness."
"You!"
"Why not? l cannot play all the
time, not being girl myself. l
may be away only few months,
or-much longer. But let me be
quite frank; surely you are aware
Robert loves you, Theo. If | should
not be home before you are mar
ried, still you will understand how
much good wish you both. and
renithhber that l said this now.
Forgive me for speaking of this; 1t
Is ventured because l start tomor.
row."
She sat very still, and he heard
her hurried breathing in the hush.
III did not know you meant that"