The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-04-14
By Ina Brevoort Roberts

Armitage was making his way
through Mrs. Holden's crowded ball
room when just inside a door leading
to the hall he felt the touch of hand
upon his arm and turned to find him
self facing a girl in white, with no col
or about her except the opals that
glowed in her hair and at her shape
ly throat.
q beg your pardon" the girl said
gently, but | have been watching you
and have noticed that you seem to
know no one. | think you must be
the Mr.. Maxwell from the west Mrs,
Holden told me she expected l sup
pose she is too busy to see that you
are properly taken care of, but / am
a friend of hers and often help her
with her entertaining, so If you will
allow me | shall be glad to present
you to some pleasant people"
Armitage smiled Thank you very
much" he said, but am just leav-
ing"
The girls forehead contracted in a
little frown of astonishment, 4 don't
believe you've danced at all" she said,
NO, replied Armitage, u have not
danced at all"
rush of merriment lighted up her
face. q thought that was what peo-
pie went to balls for-to dancer" she
said
Il did not come here to dance, at
any rate the young man returned,
his eyes rejecting the mirth in hers,
but ! thank you none the less for
your kindly thought ! did not know
that people at dances ever considered
the pleasure of others-eXcepting the
hostess, Of course
The young woman in white regard
ed him quizzically. Il am afraid you
mean that for "A slap at Mrs. Holden
for neglecting you" she said Now,
| haven't a doubt that she is at this
moment thinking of you, but she is
probably surrounded by a dozen peo-
pie. You have no idea how many the
duties of a hostess are"
Armitage smiled q think the pres
ent occasion is the first time ! ever
heard one woman defend another"
he said.
"Oh, for shame!" cried his com
panion. She smiled as she spoke, but
her eyes were reproving. = cannot
submit to hearing my sex DETAINED in
that sweeping fashion, she continued,
so If you are sure ! can do nothing
for you I'll go away
You can do something for me if
you will" Armitage said quickly,
obeying an impulse, you can give
me this dance"
The girl looked surprised and lit
tic troubled at his request. you for.
get that we are strangers" she said
Il suppose ought not even to be talk
ing to you now, but l knew Marian
Mrs. Holden, l mean-would fel bad
ly if you weren't looked after, and
So"
1T was most kind of you to offer to
put me in the way of securing part
ners," Armitage interrupted, speaking
Il am at fault for taking ad-
of your goodness"
His companion looked at him a mo-
ment and then broke into a laugh. Il
believe l have been making much
ado about nothing she said u will
give you the rest of this waltz with
pleasure, and afterward we'll find Mrs. |
Holden and get her to present you to
me. At least | know who you are"
Il wonder in which direction we had
better look for Marian" the girl said
as she took the arm ~Armitage of. |
cred her when the music stopped.
Armitage did not at once reply.
Cant we go out of this crowd a |
he said finally. q have |
to say to you before you
AXE me to Mrs. Holden"
The girl led the way to music
'oom opening from the hall Her
ace was grave as she sat down De-
ore the grand piano. She motioned |
to take chair, but he re-
NAMED standing.
I'm not Maxwell" he began abrupt
y; I'm reporter sent here to write
Up this affair for the Dial"
His listener received this news in
/ manner somewhat different from
What he had anticipated. you are
reporter" she cried, her face aglow
With interest; then perhaps you can