The Washington herald., 1910-08-13
CHAPTER Ix-Continued.


why not go?" I argued with my
self on my way home. Il will have 10
begin this sort OF thing again some time
that Is. supposing I don't go into the
convent, and I am afraid father wouldn't
like me 10 do that. At least while am
making up my mind about It anything
will be better than brooding over this
thins. which I can't help"
When I reached home I felt restless
and the house seemed very small Rath-
er Gindently I preached the subject OF
Estrellas ball 70 father; but he was quite
delighted.
Excellent" he said. hurried OF a boy
20 the Mendez house with word that I
was coming, sent out for flowers, and
made a lovely little fuss about me. I
tried TO make myself look as pretty as
possible in a pale tulle. with little rosy
wreaths upon Il. end the high. old tor
toise-shell comb, that had been my moth
er's, IN my hair. The excitement gave
mo more color than had had for weeks
I thought. Even II I am not happy, at
least can be excited
Father looked so tired that when he
left me at the Mendez house asked why
need he come back for me. why not just
send the carriage. He wouldn't hear OF
that. and then Sonora Mendez said why
shouldn't I stay at their house ali night?
SO IL was agreed, and Estrella, looking
Ike a little dancer. in a yellow gown
sown with twinkling spangles. came rum
ming and hurried me upstairs to take of
my cloat
The ball was large one-one OF those
affairs that is so big It makes you feel
lost. I danced. danced madly; but for
lorn conviction kept growing on me that
I did not have that same joyous feeling
that 1 could dance on air which other
parties had brought me. Every young
man who looked at me was not a pos
sible sweetheart. yet more looked at me
than ever did before. I had a little crowd
around me. and lots OF pretty things were
said 10 me. and I was not so afraid to
reply as I had been. When Senior Men
dez. Estrella's father. who is fat. but
dances like thistledown. took me for a
turn around the room, you are having
quite a success. Ell. my chnd7" he said.
The young men are beginning 10 wake
up. You are coming out"
That was all very pleasing and my
wits were never any too sharp at a
dance. being in a dreamy and delicious
state Of obedience 10 the music and the
swimming atmosphere, so that did not
keenly take note OF why Laura Burnet
did not return my bow. Jack Tracy took
me into supper. and fused until he
found seats for us in the big hall be-
yond the supper-room. X appeared he
was wanting 10 propose 10 me again;
anu, :. was ready for anything as far
as only making proposals went. I did
not try 10 stop him. Behind US a cur
tain hung. the only thing between us and
the ballroom, but the orchestra was still
playing softly and there was hardly any
one in that room. so I thought no one
could overhear us.
In the midst of t. Aleppo Mendez put
his head in the door and asked what
had Jack done with his partners pro-
gramme? Jack not discovering it In his
pocket. very much vexed at being In
terrupted. went 10 look for II with Alep-
20 In the supper-room, and I was left
alone
the music. Then this ended with a soft
chord. and on the other side Of the cur
tain I heard the quick rustling Of
girls frock. and a sirrs voice. "just wait.
I must put one more hair-pin in it or
It will never stay up
I recognized EstrelIa's tones. There
was a little pause. and then evidently
resuming the main thread OF her dis
course, she went on, "Of course, as I
was saying. IT was awfully brave Of her
70 do H. but how could she? Why, II
I had been in such a position, just think
ing what II would have meant 90 him,
I know 1 couldn't have made a sOundr'
We'll. II I could, wouldn't have"
II was Laura speaking with great Bit
terness. 1T wasn't as II she had TO tell.
She was the only one in the city who
saw Il. No one would have known any
thing II only she had held her tongue"
"Oh. but" Estrella broke IN, in
deprecating voice. 1T was an awful
thing he did"
"Oh. was it?' Laura retorted scorn-