Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-28

Lance at her residence in Mazda Vale
where they drank tea in company with
the alumnae of the variety stage and the
jug and bottle department.
Lance himself was understood to be
making a living out Of journalism. He
looked considerably more than twenty
three.
The third arrival was a Mr.. Guy Hall
burton, proposed for admission by Mr..
Lance Gaymer, seconded by Mrs. Lance
Gaymer. He was full Of Difference and
apologized with graceful humility for his
presence. He felt himself a horrible in
truder. he said, but he had been assured
so earnestly by "Old Lance" that Mrs. Le-
roy was in want of another dancing man,
that he had ventured to accept his vicari-
Gus invitation and come to ManOrs. He
was made welcome.
Mr.. Halliburton, on further acquaint-
ance, described himself as an actor. but
Hughie, whose judgments OF men-as OPP
posed to women-were seldom wrong. put
him down unhesitatingly as a gentleman
who lived. actor or no. by his wits. He
was striking-looking parsonage Of about
thirty. He had curly back hair and dark
eyes. with dangerous eyelashes. He was
we'll dressed-too we'll dressed for the
country-and one felt instinctively that he
was good card player and probably OBJ
jected to cold baths and early rising.
The Manors party were greeted in the
vestibule Of the town hall by Lady FLUID
At present she more nearly resembled a
we'll nourished Niobe.
My dear she cried. falling Imply
upon Mrs. Leroy and kissing her feverish-
ly. what do you think has happened"
Band not Gomez" hazarded Mrs. Lee
roy.
Worse. Not a man-not subaltern-
not g. drummer boy can get away from
Ipsleigh tonight" upsleigh was neigh
boring military depot and fountain head
OF eligibility in barren land) They
have all been called out to some absurd
inspection. or route march. or maneuvers,
or something. at twenty-four hours no.
tice. And they were coming here in
swarns. There won't be nearly enough
men to go round now. Half the girls will
be against the wall all night. Oh, my
dear. when 1 get hold of the general
Lady Fludyer's. voice rose to a shrek.
and she plunged wailing into dark door
way. like a train entering a tunnel.
Mrs. Leroy turned to her shrinking
cavaliers, with satisfaction in her eye.
Its as we'll 1 brought the lot of you."
she said. Now get to work. Jack. the
first waltz with you, if you please
The ball was soon in full swing. though
1t was only too plain that men were
somewhat scarce. Hughie. much to his
alarm, found his program full in ten min
utes, and presently. bitterly regretting the
stokehold of the OrinocO. put forth into
the fray with Mrs. Lance Gaymer. hav-
as soon as possible. and get 1t over. She
addressed him as dear boy" and wa1tZed
in a manner which reminded him Of the
Covent Garden balls of his youth, there
by causing the highest and haughtiest OF
the county to inquire of their partners
who she might be. The word soon passed
round that she was the wife Of young
Gaymer c'YOu remember, don't you?
Rather an unfortunate marriage, and all
that. Barmaid, or something. However,
the family have decided to make the best
Of her. They'll have their hands full
eh?O Whereupon fair women elevated
their discreetly powdered noses a little
up, like the four young oysters, all eager
for the treat, and furtively petitioned
Lance Gaymer to introduce them to his
wife,
On entering the ballroom Joan Gaymer
serenely conscious of perfectly fitting
new frock and her very best tinge OF
color, took up her stand at her recog-
mixed pitch beside the end pillar on the
left under the musicians gallery. and pro-
ceeded to all up the vacancies caused in
her program by the detection of the dane
ing warriors from Ipsleigh. Among the
first applicants for the favor Of q waltz
was Mr.. Guy Halliburton.
"AN right-number two said Joan.
Halliburton wrote it down and asked for
another.
''I'n see how you waltz first said Miss
Gaymer, frankly. "Then-perhaps! l
am rather particular"
The music had risen to her brain like
wine. and she was in what her admirers
would have otlled her most regal and
her detractors her most Objectionable.
mood. Mr.. Halliburton, however. merely
bowed reverentially. and made way for
an avalanche Of Blinkses and Cherubs,
with whom Joan. babbling at the top OF