The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1913-06-07
Everything el,ttered the lights, tn.

Everything glittered, the lights, thu
gowns. the jewels; everything waa
strange and delightfully."- confusing
Strains from an orchestra foated UP
to me. l knew 1t was playing behind
the palms: they always do. The all
was heavy with the odor OF flowers
and for the frst time IN my life
comprehended what it was to be In
toxicated with sights and sounds
leaned there against the rail for ar
age; spectator, completely out OF
the picture; like ones first day al
the races-F'rench races at that-not
knowing the horses and the events. ]
finally decided to go down. couldn't
stay there looking over the rail fol
ever. l was expected to go down.
was wearing gown that has cost
Mrs. Hazard two thousand dollars fol
that especial purpose. And some
where down there was Hap, and Johu
Crowninshield. and the unknown duke
concerning whom l was highly curl
Gus. and Natalie, who was going te
look after me while l looked afte,
the unknown Mr.. Abobtt.
l strained my eyes for a familiar
face in that vast throng as I descend.
ed very, very leisurely. l had not
realized how really awful it is to be
alone in a crowd, how hard to pre-
tend you're expecting every minute
to speak to some one when you're
not. My assurance? l had meme.
was quaking with fear. But had a
n 7 C
long as | was on the stairs. Little
groups descended by me. but not with
me. l was conspicuously alone. Sew.
eral times people glanced at me curl
ously. l had another wild idea OF
speaking to some one. Il had heard
that society folk can't remember half
the people they meet; but after all
hadn't the courage. l abandoned that
and thought of whole procession OF
things, all equally absurd. while ev.
cry step was taking me down, down
into-I knew not what.
| paused on a landing and tried to
appear casual as my eyes searched
vainly for Hap or John Crowninshield
knew 1t was foolish even to hope;
there was only one chance in a thous-
and in that brilliant, wrigglng Jam.
wondered why I hadn't thought to
make an appointment. No. They'd
think | was crazy. Did people in so.
ciety do such things? Gracious! My
knees were getting wobbly from pure
unadulterated fright, and l stood glued
to that landing as II it were life
boat on an open sea. But l couldn't
stay there. People already were star
ing. I put out my foot. feeling for the
edge of the step as one does In the
dark. another, and another. I was at
the bottom 1t was the end A move
and I would be adrift! l turned my
head in one last desperate attempt to
see some one, and found myself look.
ing straight at Hap and a dark girl
whom l knew must be Natalie
came awfully near kissing him that
time, but Natalie-for 1t was She
put out a protecting hand. rather Ian
guild and fishy, but ne'er-to-be-for
gotten hand
We've been waiting for you," she
drawled, pressing my fingers and
smiling a mere shadow of a smile
that suited her calm, majestic beau
ty.
smiled back, a scared, relieved
sort of smile. and put that waiting
down In my memory. I only hoped
some day I could make a sacrifice for
her. And I almost got my hope.
"I was beginning to worry for fear
we had missed you" she went on,
after most effective pause in which
she regarded me through dropping
lids. Woodbury,"-shen never called
him Hap-"do you see the Abercrom.
bies? They were here Just a moment
ago want them to meet Miss Cod.
man"
CTO BE CONTINUED)