The Lamar register., 1912-01-03
Al Twelve O'Clock
BY MARION GORDON


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 theirs
peersd classify staring owls and evil.
looking witches. the latter accompa'
MED by broomstick and black cats
From q corner obscured by rough
faGEots from the forest, came the
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 whirling 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 az
the unhappy ODhelia while her part
nsr, Major Morse. q thin. dyspeptic-
looking man. depicted Punchinello.
His Satanic Majesty danced with
. demurs little Quakeress. district
messenger boys were paired on with
medieval danes and the Knavs 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
from being old in spite Of the snufY.
colored gown she wore with it, en-
vsloping white apron and dangling
bunch Of keys: for the mob cap sat
coQusttishly on her sunny hair and
she could not keep the dimples from
her pink checks and white chin. al
though she did try to maintain . 80
Der demsanor.
Mother Hubbard" said the Knave
ct Hearts ~ he dropped to one knee
and presented . tray Of Ices. Il have
No tarts but here 10 . biscuit tor
toai, II you please"
Elsie Hilyer ate her ice dsintiiy
while the handsome Knavs Of Hearts.
Arthur Beckman. sat down beside her
with his own plate In his hand. In
his present state of mind It was suf
ficient food and drink 10 gaze upon
Elsie's loveliness. to watch the
changing shadows on her face and
harken to the sweet lit OF her voice.
You didn't md = bone for my poor
dog" she suddenly chided him. to
break an embarrassing silence.
Arthur picked up the droll. stuffed
dog that was perched on Elsie's lap
and beat II emphatically against his
knee. "ConfounA 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 convsrsauon. Why not
give me . straight answer and"
Elsie reached ever and rescued the
dog from his reckless hands. Thai
belongs to my little niece. Kitty Blaii.
and / promised Kitty that no harm
should come - poor F1do Il IL not
enough that poer E1do should be With
out his bonsr'
And put ne cut of my misery
Interrupted Arthur. reIentlessly con
Guiding his sentence.
Her face was rose pink a. she bent
IL over the woolly dog. Il can't tell
you Just now-lst Us wait . while
until after the games. You haven't
given me time to think"
Arthur's face heightened. IF you
want time to think IL over" he said
gravely, I'm afraid I'm out Of it-be-
cause II you really cared. you'd know
right on"
Wait until after the games." she
repeated in = low voice.
Until after twelve o'clockf'
Yes"
And you will not escaps-you will
tell me them"
Il 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 he loved.
Elsie's checks were deeply flushed
and her eyes sparkled with some In
ward excitement She was merry
and gay until the charms were tested
Then a quietness settled down upon
her like a nlmy veil Of sorrow. but
occasionally she brushed It aside tc
smile or return a merry Quip.
The charms were provokingly in
suspicious for the furthering Of Ar
thur na,k-.nss H>.tra. a.