New-York tribune., 1910-11-06
CHAPTER XIV.
The Quest of Vulcan


with berality that did better credit to Gerry
Schuylers munifcence than to his judgment. ,
But Gerry had discovered that, no matter how II
we'll a function might be devised, it was pos Y
sble to its effect by too discriminate
hospitality, and stupid occasions, he had often
noted 11d by ke WAS not Ges oT him. t
take the burden of other peoples fraltes on
his shoulders. He had troubles enough of his
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 of the refreshrnent
tables Brooke hadn't found it possible to !
establish himself on intimate terms with his +
guest, and his own stomach was far too trust a
worthy to permit him to understand the
gares of the hypochondriac; but somehow to-
night there seemed a bond of sympathy be-
Hello, Garriott! You alone too? Beastly
affair thisl What's the use of all this rubbish?
Can't avoid your enemies can't find your
friends All blanked nonsense! Why can't
people stay at home and play bridge like
Christians? Why don't even know Nina!
Seen her anywhere, Garrott?"
Yes danced with her awhile ago"
Obi" eagerly. you know her costume?"
GarriOtt puzzled a moment. mo, can't say | do
She had on yellow wig and some sort of puffy kind
of thing. They all look alike to me, De Witt"
He might have made exception two but that
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
garden with Tony Lumpkin But the crestfallen look
OF his companion made him wish that he could give him
pleaSanter information.
That's it," growed Dudley. you're all in the
conspiracy They're all wearing puffy things That
doesn't help me much Then, irritably, Have
drink?''
They toasted each other in silence the older man ul-
consciously presenting to Garrott portent of what the
future might hold in for him. 1t was so easy so
easy to drift carelessy down stream on the Botian tide
This man, they told him. had once been reckOned
cessful. The parallel was deadly enough it was-Gar-
rlott wife too was in the garden!
With an abrupt gesture he drank and sat his glass
he N TNa h aco;I !,
show of gaety, this is place for you. Beauty is
waiting the terrace" He led him and up the
lawn. Besides, you'll be feeling like the deuce to-
morrow"
I'm feeling like the deuce now, whned De Witt.
"Hello What's up?"
A HERALD, gorgeously dressed in a costume of Old
England had blown a dozen blasts his long
trumpet and announcing the beginning of the rustic
dances. Around them the sound of voices as the
figures of the asqueraders svered over with the moon
light emerged groups from the obscurty of the trees
and gardens where they had wandered in the inter
mission and COnverged upon the terrace. GarriOtt
ruthlessy 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 a brogue, who announced that she Kitty of
Coleraine.
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 more noticeable than ever in
his curious costume. His partner was FlOrry VanuXcn
who as Diana reached If she did not pass the limit of
decorous drapery. But she was graceful and knew it
and the antics of her drO partner served only throw
her own comelness into higher relief. Orlando and
Maid Marian, Little Boy Blue and Charlotte Corday
ony Lumpkln and Lorna DoOne, Miles Standish and
Priscilla, Bob Acres and Quakeress, Frar Tuck and
Rosand and all the Others followed in their turn each
couple vying 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 eehee
above the gay measures of the orchestra.
tarantela by members of the Younger set Dre
viousy rehearsed after Eight debHtantes with
regulations and matches-to make, danced with their