El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-06-15
The Herald's Daily
Short Story

different. I'm puzzled, Mr.. MOrant and
upset"
In truth the girl was undergoing a
violent reaction Possibly she hoped
that reports of her altered demeanOr
would assure Richard AOrant that she
was reconsidering her views of life.
Instead they made him revile TheydOn.
IheyOOn and RaVerley-they d make
pair he grOwled one morning And
then, No, no, Raverley's only a fool
with lots of money. I've half a mind
to accept this"
He scanned an invitation hesitat-
ingly. Eric Raverley had given a sim
liar bail once before, thereby causing
some slight scandal in the neighbOr-
hood, by reason Of his choice Of guests.
Everyone to arrive masked" the
might as wei go admitted Morant.
He gave up his hat and coat and
moved slowly towards the ballroom
At the door he waited, regarding the
Whirling crowd Close by, pretty
woman. her mask could not hide the
fact-began to eye him cOquettishly.
Just as MOrant had decided to drift
into an idle filtration, his eye fell
upon a slight figure amongst the dane
ers. He started. with an exclamation
under his breath.
The lady beside him dropped her fan
He picked it up and returned it bow
ing; then passed on, barely glancing
shoulders petulantly-
Richard Morant hurried from the
room He was trying TO overtake the
couple he had noticed, but now they
were lost to view What was Betty
Clifford doing in this assembly, How
had she Gomez He knew that her
father was absent from home that
night.
"And her partner-it's TheydOn.'
The music stopped and the center Of
mHa
Raverley and others. Chattering cou-
pies passed him into the lounge. Then
a girl came by: a man followed her
closely. She seemed to hurry and wore
a frightened air
Yes: this way" He knew Philip
TheydOn's voice.
They disappeared into a conserva-
tory. MOrant moved in the same dlrec-
ton. They had disappeared once more
In the distance, though, he heard a
stifIed cry. and traced it swiftly. Betty
Clifford. her mask torn off, was pale
and breathing fast TheydOn's arm
was round her, but she struggled
against him
The last partner you brought in
suited me,-and now, you
She was released so suddenly that
she almost fell. TheydOn was jerked
backward and flung against the wall.
you'd like to go, think said
MOrant, in a quick undertone. Here's
your mask"
She flushed as she fastened the silk
with shaking fingers. Together they
left Theydon, dazed and stupid.
Champagne, I suppose, Morant
commented over his shoulder. What
on earth made you come hereE Did
he bring yOu2"
She made no answer till they
reached the hall
III get my things. Please take me
In minute or two she reappeared.
back silent in her corner; then she
pulled off her mask again and began
to cry softly. 1T was because of you,
she protested unsteadily.
Presently he dimly understood
Il dislike MI TheydOn-alWays have
disliked him. But 1 thought you didn't
really care about me, else you'd have
come an-and been angry when you
heard he was calling so often This
is my first-first revolt
Rather an unwise one!
But I want you to believe that 1
don't expect anyone to be perfect
His face changed your ideas are
slightly confused, aren't they, little
girl2'
Sometimes you're rough and hOrr-
no: not horrid."
.:Roughness was useful tonight"
And when you're talking about
poetry"
Morant laughed. We're queer mix
lures. all of US That's just human
nature. The point is, can you put up
with me, Betty, just as I ann
Somehow her head pillowed itself on
his shoulder. The rest of the drive
seemed too short.