The Dolores star., 1912-02-16
At Twelve O'Clock
By MARION GORDON

IN Iul swing at eleven O'Clock.
pair Of grinning, candie-illuminated
pumpkins adorned the gate posts and
the piazza was hung with smaller
Jack o lanterns. Inside the house.
walls and ceilings were hung with
cobwebs cunningly fashioned from
Irvine and from every corner there
peered glassily-staring owls and EVIL
looking witches, the latter accompa
MED by broomstick and black cats
From q corner obscured by rough
faggots from the forest. came tho
sound Of stringed instruments. The
orchestra was concealed there and
dancing was going on. II was cos
tune party and the rooms were filled
with whiriing forms clothed In gar
ments of fanciful beauty or gro
tesque absurdity of form or color
The various mismated couples pro
voked much merriment. Mrs Law.
ton. stout and jolly. was CARRIED as
the unhappy Ophelia while her part
ner. Major Morse, a thin. dyspeptic-
looking man. depicted Punchinello.
His Satanic Majesty danced with
= demure little Quakeress, district
messenger boys were paired on with
medieval danes and the Knave Of
Hearts carried refreshments to Old
Mother Hubbard and her faithful dog.
Now, contrary to tradition. Old
Mother Hubbard was the prettiest
girl In the gathering and she was far
fpnsvo hoinu old in, anitn NJ N m.
colored gown she wore with its en-
veloping white apron and dangling
bunch Of keys: for the mob cap sat
coQuettishly on her sunny hair and
she could not keep the dimples from
her pink cheeks and white chin. al
though she did try to maintain a So
Der demeanor
Mother Hubbard" said the Knave
Of Hearts a. he dropped to one knee
and presented q tray of ices. Il have
no tarts but here 10 a biscuit tor
toni. II you please"
Elsie Hilyer ate her Ice daintily
while the handsome Knave Of Hearts.
Arthur Beckman. sat down beside her
with his own plate In his hand. In
his present state Of mind Il Vas suf.
3cient food and drink to gaze upon
Elsie's loveliness. to watch the
changing shadows on her face and
harken to the sweet Tilt Of her voice.
You didn't find q bone for my poor
dog" she suddenly chided him. to
break an embarrassing silence.
Arthur picked up the droll. sta6ed
dog that was Ssschss on Elsies lap
and beat It emphatically against his
knee. "Confound the dogs!" he com
planned bitterly. Every time I've
tried to speak seriously with you to,
night. Elsie. you've dragged poor
Fido into the conversation. Why not
give me a straight answer and"
Elsie reached over and rescued the
dog from his reckless hands. That
belongs to my little niece. Kitty blair.
and | promised Kitty that no harm
should come to poor FidO. Is It not
enough that poor Fido should be With
out his bone?''
And put me out Of my misery!''
interrupted Arthur. relentlessly con
GLIDING his sentence.
Her face was rose pink az she bent
II over the woolly dog. u can't tell
you Just now-let US wait a while
until after the games. You haven't
given me time to think"
Arthur's face heightened. III you
want time to think II over" he said
gravely. I'm afraid I'm out Of it-b.
cause II you really cared. you'd know
right or"
wait until after the games!" she
repeated In . low voice.
Until after twelve o'clock"
Yes"
And you will not escape-you will
tell me them"
II will be here at little after
twelve" she murmured. and then an.
other partner claimed her and she
was gone without one glance from
her soft brown eyes to comfort him
or give him hope.
That was the last dance before the
games and the entire company found
seats and prepared to put to test all
the legendary charms Of Halloween.
Partners were chosen and once more
Arthur Beckman found himself beside
the girl be loved.
Eisie's cheeks were deeply flushed
and her eyes sparkled with some In.
ward excitement. She was merry
and gay until the charms were tested.
Then Q quietness settled down upon