Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-29
CHAPTER XIII.-Continued,

CHAPTER XII1.-Continued.
At this point in her reflections she was
whirled heavily into the orbit of a re-
versing couple. and the ensuing collision,
together with the enjoyment Of exacting a
groveling apology from the hapless Binks
(who was in no way responsible for the
Academy. drove further cogitations on the
subject of the girl with the forget-me-
nots out Of her head.
About midnight Joan slipped upstairs
to what her last partner-a mechanically
minded young gentleman from Woolwich
described as the repairing shop, to make
good the ravages effected by the lancers
as danced in high society in the present
year of grace.
The music for the next waltz was just
beginning when she returned to her pill
lar. No eager partner awaited her. which
was unusual; and Joan glanced at her
program. She bit her lip.
Number eight" she said to herself.
Joey, my child, he has scored you off
and you deserve it!''
This cryptic utterance had reference to
Mr.. Hugh Marrable, to whom 1t may be
remembered this particular dance had
been offered. much as a bone Is thrown
to a dog. on the lawn at ManOrs three
DAYS before.
Hughes subsequent demeanor had
piaued his wards curiosity. He had
made TO further reference to number
eight, neither had he made any attempt
during this evening to come up and con-
firm the fixture. In fact, he had not
asked Joan for a dance at ALL with the
consequence that Miss Gaymer, who. Sc
come and eat humble pie at the last mo-
ment. had kept number eight free, now
found herself occupying the rather un-
usual role of wallfiower. What was more,
a partner. for every available man was
being worked to the last ounce. and pretty
girls still sat here and there about the
room. chatting with chaperons and main
tanning brave appearance OF enjoyment
and insouciance.
I'm not going to let Hughie see me
propping a wall this Dance said Joan to
herself. with decision. "He would think
I had been keeping it for him. What shall
1 do? Go back to the cloakroom? No;
pretending they've just dropped in to get
sewn up. I'll go to the mayors parlor
and sit there. It's never used at these
Dances
Of her missing partners ledger, Miss
Gaymer retired unostentatiously from the
ballroom, and turned down an unlighted
passage, which was blocked by heavy
screen marked private" and fncumbered
with rolls OF carpet and superfluous furni-
ture.
The darkened passage was comfortably
cool and peaceful after the blaze and
turmoil of the field of action. and ap-
parently had not been discovered by
couples in search Of seclusion. Joan was
approaching the end. where she knew the
door OF the mayors parlor was situated.
when she became aware of certain sub
dued sound quite near her. 1t was a
sound we'll calculated to catch the ear of
one SO tender hearted as herself. Some
one was sobbing. very wretchedly. in the
darkness within few feet of her.
Joan stopped short, a little frightened,
and peered about her. Her eyes were
growing accustomed to the gloom, and
presently she beheld a glimmer of white
almost at her knee. The glmmer out
lined itself into the form Of a filmy ball
dress.
Joan tackled the situation with her
usual promptitude.
II say" she said. whats the matter?
Let me help you
The SObbing ceased and the white figure
sat up with start.
III you don't mind continued Joan,
I'm going to turn up this electric light"
There was d click. and the rays OF
single and rather dusty incandescent lamp
Illuminated the scene, and with 1t the
slender figure, seated forlornly on a roll
OF red carpet. Of the little lady of the
forget-me-nots.
Her face was flushed with sudden
shame for her shoulders were still heav-
the which she dabbed confusedly with a
totally inadequate scrap Of pocket hand
kerchief.
Joan. regardless of her new frock. was
moment. She put her arm round the girl.
MY DEAR she said, authoritativeiy,
what is it? Tell me-
The girl told her. It was a simple
story, and not altogether a novel one, but
it contained the elements of tragedy for
all that.
This was her coming-out ball. She
pointed to her discarded bouquet lying on
the srimy floor. Her father had put it
into her hand, and hung little enamel
pendant round her neck, and given her a
lxiss-she told her story with all child's
fidelity to detail-and had dispatched her
in her brothers charge. with admOnitiOns
not to break too many hearts, on the
long fourteen mile drive to Midfield-a pc
Rod occupied In ecstatic anticipationS of
the event to which she had been looking
forward ever since she had put her hair
up.
booked one dance with her-subsequently
Cancelled with many apologies on the
ground that he had just met girl whom
he simply must dance with-and intro
duced her to two young men whose pro-
grams were already full: after which he
had plunged into the crowd, comfortably
conscious that his duty had been done.
leaving his sister to stand, smiling brave
ly, with tingling feet and her heart in her
throat. from half-past 8 until a quarter
past II. The music was pulsing in her
ears, youth and laughter were swinging
easily past her-even brushing her skirt:
and she was utterly and absolutely alone.
She was just eighteen: she was the pref
test girl with the possible exception of
Joan Gaymer) in the room; it was her
first ball-and not a man had asked her
to dance. A small matter, perhaps, COM
pared with some, but men have blown
out their brains for less.
Long before she had sOhhed out all her