The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1911-02-22
CHAPTER no.
The Language Of the Fan.

~ Wv
Mr.. Grimm was chatting Idly with
Senorita Rodriguez. daughter OF the
minister from Venezuela, the while
be permitted his listless eyes TO wan
der aimlessly about the spacious BALL
room Of the German embassy, ablaze
with festooned lights, and brilliant
with a multi-colored chaos OF uni
forms. Cleaning pearlwhite. translu-
cent In the mass, were the bare
shoulders Of woman; and from far of
came the plaintive whine OF an Or
chestra, a pulsing sense rather than a
living sound. of music. pointed here
and there by the staccato cry OF a
flute. A zephyr, perfumed with the
clean. fresh odor OF lilacs, stirred the
draperies Of the archway which led
into the conservatory and rustled the
bending branches of palms and ferns.
For a scant instant Mr.. Grimm's
eyes rested on a young woman who
sat dozen feet away, talking. in play
full animation, with an undersecretary
Of the British embassy young wom-
an severely gowned in some glittering
stuff ghich fell away sheerly from her
splendid bare shoulders. She glanced
up. as II in acknowledgment OF his
look. and her eyes met his. Frank,
blue-gray eyes they were, stirred 70
their depths now by amusement. She
smiled at Senorita Rodriguez, in token
of recognition.
Aren't they wonderful" asked
Senorita Rodriguez with the quick,
buobling enthusiasm of her race.
WHAT" asked Mr.. Grimm.
Her eyes" was the reply. Every
person has one dominant feature
with Miss Thorne it is her eyes"
Miss Thcrne?" Mr.. Grimm repeated
Haven't you met herr" the senorita
went on. Miss Isabel Thorne? She
only arrived few days ago-the night
Of the state ball. She's my guest at
the legation. When an opportunity
comes shall present you to her"
She ran on. about other things. with
only an occasional remark from Mr..
Grimm, VINO was thoughtfully nursing
his knee. Somewhere through the
chatter and efferyescent gaiety min.
CLING with the sound OF the pulsing
music, he had singular impression of
a rhythmical beat, an indistinct tattoo,
noticeable. perhaps, only because OF
its monotony. After a moment he
shot a quick glance at Miss Thorne
and understood; ii was the tapping of
an exquisitely wrought ivory fan
against one of her tapering, gloved
fingers. She was talking and smiling.
"Dot.dash-dot. Dot-dash-dot. Dot
dash-dot!" said the fan.
Mr.. Grimm twisted around in his
seat and regaled his listless eyes with
long look into the senorita's pretty
face. Behind the careless ease of re-
pose he was mechanically isolating the
faint clatter of the fan.
Dot -dash-dot! Dot-dash-dot. Dot
dash-dot."
Did any one ever accuse you OF
staring, Mr.. Grimm" demanded the
senorita, banteringly.
For an instant Mr.. Grimm continued
to stare, and then his listless eyes
swept the ballroom. passing involun-
tarily at the scarlet splendor of the
minister from Turkey.
Il beg your pardon" he apologized,
contritely. There was pause. THE
minister from Turkey looks like barn
on fire, doesn't he?"
Senorita Rodriguez laughed, and Mr..
Grimm glanced idly toward Miss
Thorne. She was still talking, her
face alive with interest; ana the fan
was still tapping rhythmically, stead
lily, now on the arm of her chair.
"Dot-dash-dot! Dot-dash. dot! Dot
dash-dot! Dot dash -dot!"
Pretty women who don't want to
be stared at should 90 with their faces
swathed." Mr.. Grimm suggested, indo-
lently. "Haroun ell Raschid there
would agree with me on that point, l
have no doubt. What q shock he
would get II he should happen up at
Atlantic City for . weekend in Au
gust" p,
Dot dash-dot! Dot-dash-Aot Dot.
!; 40