Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-11-21
CHAPTER xIx-continued.


teasing group.
Am 1 the first2'' asked the lady.
No, indeed" said Bell comforting
Iy, with as much inanity as the ques-
ton required And then, just as the
situation was becoming unbearably
stupid, as such moments at the begin
ming of a party always are, the door
opened to an Apache, full-painted for
war A wild whoop went up at once,
and before it had subsidized, the crowd
began to stream in, many-colored,
noisy, gorgeous or humorous, filling
the dim studio with a dream-like
throng alive with movement, fraught
with the delightful mystery of ia
miliar friends in disguise.
The air was full of chatter, OF
laughter, of delighted screams of
recognition. Good Lord! it's Bill!
Look what Bill has on, Have you
seen Mazie's tights!!l Kitty has on
blonde wig.-yes, 1t is Ken Harris!
Well, look at Mr. De Bush. will you!
Hello, Pell. old boy, feel as great a
fool as you look?" etc, etc. From the
corner where the musicians sat, came
an ungodly squeaking and scraping-
The perfume of burning incense, of
hewitt cigarettes, of heavy cosmetics
and camphor, hung in the atmosphere.
The hungry violinist readjusted his
handkerchief and waved his bow;
there was a blast of melody, madden
ing, enticing, and the crowd in the
center of the room began to move
rhythmically. The guests continued
to pour in.
Among these came Leigh. clad in
high boots, rough shirt, and trousers,
carrying an ak, his coat thrown over
his arm, this costume having been
created to emulate the personal ap-
pearance of the great American for
whom he had been named.
After a quick word of greeting to
Don Milligan, he thrust his impedi-
menta into a corner, and began to
search among the crowd for the face
that had haunted him necessarily the
is hours past. But although many
smiled at him, and beckoned him to
Join them, he shook his head in re-
fusal. and continued to look for Pedro.
But Pedro was nowhere to be found,
and instead, in small room opening
on to the balcony. he came upon Iris.
who. seated upon a divan, was en-
gagged in warding off the eager atten-
tions of Pell, who was determined
Hello, Irisi" said Leigh. coming up,
and at once perceiving that she
wished to be rid of the young re-
porter. Hello, Pell. get out of this,
will you? I've something particular
want to tell Miss Vanderpool."
You brigand!" retorted PeH, ma
king wry face, what right have you,
boarding my ship this way? However,
despite my newspaper instinct,
shall withdraw from ear-shot. But if
you see a paragraph or two about
yourselves, don't be surprised"
With which witticism he was off. .
Fresh cub, muttered Leigh. Then
to Iris, May l sit down, or would
you rather be left alone?"
mo, that is, yesi" said Iris con-
fusedly. DO sit here beside me,
please. II feel rather unhappy to-
night. and that boy bothered me.
What is it that you have to tell me?'
Absolutely nothing, said Leigh.
sinking down beside her, lit was
only ruse. But I'll try and think up
something if you like
Don't trouble." replied Iris with
a little laugh.
'Perhaps-that is. if you like to, you
know-will you tell me something ?"
Leigh responded.
That depends" said Iris, patting
the shimmering skirt of her costume.
That depends on the nature of the
question:
Il have no question to put" he told
her. 1T is only that l can see you are
unhappy, and there must be a reason
for it. Now, if you told me that rea-
son. the telling might help you to dis
Germ its real significance"
You say such odd things" she re
piled, land such true ones, In most
cases your receipt might work, but
in this one, it won't. You see, my
chief trouble is that l have made an
awful fool of myself, and talking about
it would only make me more fool than
= ever"
Not necessarily he responded
For instance. you might have been
misled in the first place. You are
scarcely responsible for that, and all
your. foolishness might be subsequent
and dependent upon such misleading
or deception
That's it exactly,c cried Iris. oh
Mr.. Leigh. do you think it would be
very terrible If 1 were to tell you
mething-something that involved
a third person. / mean? 1t would
ease my mind SO. and / must have ad
vice, My father has gone on some
where and there is no one else Do
you think might2@
1T l. ,str1.f I oS~r1,