Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-08
Thurley Ruxton
Continued from page 9

From her exquisitely arched little feet to the
trembling diamond in her hair, she was the
daintest possible embodiment of loneliness.
A rose might, indeed, have chosen her to be
its own ambassador, to carry its fragrance,
it's wine warm color, and its irresistible APP
peal to the Court of Beauty's final judy
ment.
New jewels, of her own selection, reposed
on the velvet of her neck. 1t was that they
were made more lovely by their association
with herself, not she that was beautifed by
them. A new inspiration of a gossamer
gown, cut modestly low and nodded in per-
lection on her 1.-the and rounded figure, and
apparently new mood of brightness in her
eyes and heart, combined to create a gasp of
ecstasy and envy on the lips of every woman
who beheld her and to set the hearts of all
the men ahame.
She and Alice were Immediately besieged.
1t seemed as if all men in the place were de-
termined to be first at her side. In the palm
room, in the fernery, and in the ballroom
proper, vexed girls were deserted in droves.
Poor little Mildred Gray, who had witnessed
Willie Stetsons eager and helpless homage
to the Princes" before, was already pent
with tears and indignation. There was one
consolation only to bevics of sweet, pretty
girl onfections, and this was that dancing
must soon begin, and Thurley could at
most dance with only one man at a time.
IMMACULATE Harry Bache- Stowe led
: the grand march, which began little be-
fore ten. His partner was last-seasons
beauty, Eleanor Atterbury Beekman. Thur
ley's lot fell to Kelsey Woods, largely in re-
Spouse to wishes that Alice had earlier ex-
pressed. Kelsey, indeed, had been one of
their party at dinner, also by Alice's design.
She was extracting almost fiendish delight
in alluring Woods from the circle of one of
her rivals who had queened it last season, if
not with an iron, at least with golden, rod.
Woods usurped the gladness of King.
Thistledown could scarcely have been lighter
in his arms as he and Thurley moved over
the floor. II say" said he in his candid
fashion, "you'v We translated beauty into this
sort of thing, you know. What do you think
such riding and dancing must do to fellows
hearth"
Thurley smiled in his eyes. but l ride
on horse and dance on the floor. A heart
wouldn't be at all appropriate for either"
Nevertheless, = he declared, mine is be-
meath your feet"
ooh! Isn't it hard and nicely Polished"
He tried again. Couldn't we ride bit
together soon9 l sha'n't be real happy till
we do. :"
m sorry LmS dance makes you SO m1Ser-
able she answered. Cheer up, it will
soon be over"
You do chaff fellow he murmured
with a grin; but you haven't answered
about the riding You've no idea how much
it would please me.
Again she smiled. rs it my duty to keep
big boys amused?"
Il say" he demanded desperately, Twill
you 90 riding with me? Yes or no."
Her eyes burned brighter. Perhaps"
"Oh, Lord!" he said. well, at least you
are dancing with me now. That's some
thing"
But not much, she added.
Il adore it, pom my honor, he breathed
ardently; but I'm silly asst"
"You are very frank" She was enor-
mously amused at his blunders.
He flushed to the tips of his ears. Il
mean in the things l say-the way l say
them-the way they sound. Confound it!
May not Ounce mean what he says? I'm
in bally mix, you know. Reversion to my
English schooling. l do that sort of thing
with exasperating regularity; but | m really
not SO stupid as seem. Fact. And l do
adore this dance with you, Miss Thurley.
In fact, ~"
Don't spoil the explanation, please, she
interrupted. Il think l understand it
fully"
Tenacity was one Of his properties. He