Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1912-10-04
CHAPTER III.
The Language of the Fan.


Mr.. Grimm was chatting idly with
Senorita Rodriguez daughter of the
minister from Venezuela, the while
he permitted his listless eyes to wan
! der aimlessly about the spacious ball
room of the German embassy, ablaze
with festooned lights, and brilliant
with multi-colored chaos of uni
forms. Cleaning pearlwhite, translu-
cent in the mass, we're the bare
shoulders of woman; and fiom far on
came the plaintive whine OF an or
chestra, a pulsing sense rather than a
living sound, of music, pointed hero
and there by the staccato cry Of 4
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 which 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 to
their depths now by amusement She
smiled at Senorita Rodriguez, in token
OF recognition.
Aren't they wonderful" asked
Senorita Rodriguez with the quick.
bubbling enthusiasm of her race.
''What?" asked Mr. Grimm.
Her eyes," was the reply Every
person has one dominant feature
with Miss Thorne 1t is her eyes,"
Miss Thorne7" Mr.. Grimm repeated.
Haven't you met herr" the senorita
went on Miss Isabel Thorne7 She
only arrived a few days ago-the night
of the state ball. She's my guest at
the legation. When an opportunity
comes l shall present you to her"
She ran on, about other things, with
only an occasional remark from Mr..
Grimm, who was thoughtfully nursing
his knee Somewhere through the
Cling with the sound of the pulsing
music, he had a 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; it was the tapping Of |
an exquisitely wrought ivory fan |
against one of her tapering, gloved |
fingers. She was talking and smiling. |
"Dot-dash-dotl Dot-dash-dotl Dot /
said the fan.
Mr.. Grimm twisted around in his
seat and RECALLED his listless eyes with
a long look into the senorita's pretty |
lace. Behind the careless ease of re-
pose he was mechanically isolating the
faint clatter of the fan.
"Dot-dash-doti Dot-dash-doti Dot
did any one ever accuse you of
staring. Mr. Grimm demanded the
'enorita, banteringly
For an instant Mr. Grimm continued
o stare, and then his listless eyes
'wept the ballroom, passing involun-
arily at the scarlet splendor of the
Minister from Turkey.
Il beg your pardon" he apolosixed.
'ontritely. There was pause. The
minister from Turkey looks like barn
N fire. doesn't be7"
Senorits Rodriguez laughed, and Mr.
irimm glanced idly toward Miss
horne. She was still talking. her
ace alive with interest; and the fan
Fas still tapping rhythmically, stead
ly, now on the arm Of her chair.
''Dor-dash-dotl Dot-dash-doti Dot
ash-doti Dot-dash-dotl"
Pretty women who don't want to
9 stared at should go with their faces
wathed," Mr.. Grimm suggested, sndo-
sntly. "Haroun ell Raschid there
'ould agree with me on that point, l
ave no doubt What q shock he |
Tould get If he should happen up at
.tlantic City for a weekend in Au- !
usti"
'Dot-dash-dotl Dot-dssh-dot. Dot
G
Mr. Grimm read 1t with perfect UNI q
orstandinp. II was "F-F--Fv in the {