Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1913-06-25

Everything gllttered. ,nt lights, the
gowns. the Jewels: everything was
strange and delightfully."- confusing
Strains from an orchestra hoated an
TO me- knew II was playing behind
the palms. they always do. The air
was heavy with the odor OF flowers,
and for the first time In my life
comprehended what Il was 70 be 10.
toxlcated with sights and sounds.
] leaned there against the rail for an
age a spectator completely out OF
the picture; like ones FIRST day AT
the races-French races az that-nUI
knowing the horses and the events. J
finally decided 70 go down. couldnt
stay there looking over the rail for
ever, | was expected to 90 down.
was wearing a gown that has cost
Mrs. Hazard two thousand dollars for
that especial purpose And some
where down there was Hap, and John
Crowninshield, and the unknown duke
concerning whom | was highly curl
Gus, and Natalie. who was going to
look after me while looked after
the unknown Mr. Abobtt.
strained my eyes for a familiar
face In that vast throng as / descend
ed very, very leisurely. l had not
realized how really awful II 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? | had none.
was quaking with fear. But | had
wild idea that | wasn't quite lost as
long as / was on the stairs. Little
groups descended by me, but not with
me. | was conspicuously alone. Sew
eral times people glanced at me curl
ously. had another wild idea of
speaking to some one. had heard
that society folk can't remember half
the people they meet; but after all
hadn't, the courage abandoned that
and thought Of a 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 it was foolish even to hope;
there was only one chance in a thous-
and in that brilliant, wriggling Jam.
wondered why | hadn't thought TO
make an appointment. No. They'd
think l was crazy. Did people in so
ciety do such things? Gracious! My
knees we're getting wobbly from pure,
unaduterated fright and l stood glued
to that landing as II It were a life
boat on an open sea. But / couldn't
stay there. People already were star
ing. ! put out my foot, feeling for the
edge of the step as one does in the
dark, another, and another / was at
the bottom. 1t was the end. A move
and l would be adrift! | 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 | 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.
I smiled back, a scared, relieved
sort of smile, and put that waiting
down in my memory. / only hoped
some day l could make sacrifice for
her, And l almost got my hope.
81 was beginning to worry for fear
we had missed you" she went on
after a most effective pause in which
she regarded me through dropping
lids. Woodbury"-she never called
him Hap-"do you see the Abercrom
bies? They were here just a moment
ago I want them to meet Miss Cod
man"
CTO BE CoNTINUED)