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

pitiful little narrative her head was on
Joan's shoulder. and that mercurial young
person. Oblivious Of everything save the
fact that here was sister In distress
was handling the situation as If she were
twenty years her companions senior in
stead of two.
II stood it for nearly three hours" said
the girl. alphabetically, land then II
came here
well. my dear" said Joan, with deci-
sion, you aren't going to stay here any
longer. You are coming straight back to
the ballroom with me-"
II can't" replied the girl couldn't
bear it!''
You are coming back to the ballroom
with me- repeated Miss Gaymer, firmly
There are sixteen dances to go yet, and
you are going to dance the soles of your
slippers through my child:'
You are awf,lly kind said the girl,
wistfully. ''but you won't be able to find
me partner now"
Il can find you sixteen said Joan.
The child turned wondering eyes on her
and asked a question.
Me? Oh. shall have rest-I want
one replied Miss Gaymer. splendide
mendax. I'm fact. it will be a charity on
your part to take them. They're all
stupid and they can't dance
But the girl shook her head.
You're a dear to suggest it," she said
but it wouldn't do. Think how angry
they would be, having booked a dance
with Miss Gaymer and only getting
do you know me-" asked Joan, in sur
prise.
Everybody knows you,' said the girl.
Joan flushed rosily. 1t was a compli-
ment after her own heart.
II say. what's your name?" she asked.
Sylvia Tarrant."
Joan nodded. Il know now she said.
You live near Gainford."
The Tarrants We're newcomers. Sylvia s
father was a retired sailor and widower.
and had but lately settled in the district,
which would account for his daughters
want of acquaintance.
yes" said Sylvia. But really. ! could
not take your partners. They'd be furi-
Gus at getting me instead OF you"
Miss Gaymer turned and scrutinized the
face and figure beside her.
"All you want. my child. she said. is
a start. After tonight you'll never be left
alone for two seconds at any ball you
care to go to. In fact. don't see how 1
shall ever be able to get any partners at
ALL" she added. plaintively.
At this idea the girl laughed and looked
happier, which was just exactly what
Joan meant her to do. Her spirit was re-
turning.
Joan rose briskly
Now, SYLVIA she said, "Fm going to
leave you for two minutes. because
want to find a man to send round and tell
all my partners that you've agreed to
take them on. Then III come back and
get you started Just put yourself
here; I'll roll it up. There! Your eyes
are getting better every minute. Give
your skirt q shake out and have look
at yourself in that mirror and you'll be
simply perfect. So long,.
There's somebody coming" said Sylvia
turning from her toilet and looking over
her shoulder.
A masculine form filled the passage 1t
was Hughie. who, deprived Of a partner
thro, h@ oR
standing on his dignity in the matter of
number eight-was prowling about in
search of quiet spot where he might in
dulge in the luxury of pipe.
Joan. who had forgotten all about num-
Der eight. received him with unfeigned
pleasure. and hurried him back when he
came. On the way she breathlessly ex-
planned the situation to him.
'Hughie. that poor child has come here
rot knowing a soul, and has stood against
the wall for three hours. There isn't a
partner to be had for love or money at
this hour. so she must just have mine.
Take my program-wait q minute, I'll fill
in some of these initials-and 60 round to
all the men whose names are on il, and
tell them I'm very sorry, but I've got
headache and can't dance any more to-
night. but they're to come to me at once
At my pillar and be introduced to a sub
stitute I've provided for them"
do you think they'll exactly-jump at
the idea of a substitute?" suggested
Hughie. mildly.
Their business" said Miss Gaymer.
with a sudden return to her usual man.
ner, lis to do what 1 tell them! Run.
Hughie. Don't say a word about the
poor kid not having been able to get
partners. will you? Say she came late
anything! You understand
Hughie nodded.
II understand" he said. ''She came
late and you have headache. Those are
the two essential facts Of the case-eh?"
Yes. Hurry" said Joan, giving her
guardian a push.
Joey" said Hughie. you're q brick"
Half an hour later the members Of the
Midfeld hunt bali were electrified to be-
hold Miss Joan Gaymer sitting between
two comatosc and famished chaperons,
watching the dancers with indulgent eye.
and generally presenting the appearance
Of one whose time for these folhes Is
overpast.
Then heads began to turn in another di-
rection. People were asking one an
other who the little thing with the for
get-me-nots might be. who danced like q