Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-02


lady see to have hesitation with me-"
Mrs. Atkins hurried downtown in her car,
and they danced until six o'clock. She
could scarcely stand up when he led her back
to the car, and they rode home in silence.
Suddenly Willoughby called through the
tube to Williams.
@Stop at the first music machine shop"
he said.
aWhat for?" demanded Mrs Atkins.
@Oh," said he, Il want to get few new
records I've invited DR.. Hasbrouck and
the Hadleys and a few other couples over
for the evening. Just thought I'd surprise
you a little
aWhat!" she gasped. 3And after dancing
all the afternoon-and all last night?-
Goodness, julia he said, with a quizzi~
cal look. you're not tired2 Why, you
said you could dance forever. You said it
couldn't be overdone. However, if you feel
too used up this evening, you can excuse
yourself after few dances and sit the rest
of them out, while | do the honors."
He knew she would not do that
ITO Mrs. Atkins that night will always
bring memories of torture, of physical
agony beyond expression. The guests came
early and stayed late-her husband saw to
that. And the dances were almost continu-
Gus; for he had stationed Norah at the ma
chine with instructions to feed it without in
terruption. Waltz followed one-step, and
when she hoped once in awhile that she had
escaped a dance Willoughby would either
drag her out upon the floor or introduce an
other partner to her.
But at last they had all gone, and she
threw herself on the couch in the library in
a state of collapse. Her feet felt like weights
of redhot lead, and she ached in bones she
never knew she possessed, while her throat
was burning and her head was going round
like top. Willoughby went to the door.
and she heard him asking the party to
@Come again soonl' She buried her face in
the pillows and moaned.
@Wel1, Julia" she heard him carol, as he
returned to the library and switched on that
horrible music, 3now they're all gone, let's
you and 1 have nice little goodnight hest
tation. Not here? Oh, well, I'll take the
machine upstairs, and we'll have it there"
She heard him lift the machine from its
place on the reading table. At the bare idea
of its hideous voice intruding on the sanctity
of her bedchamber, her one haven of refuge
now, she shrieked. With a cry of alarm her
husband dropped the machine on the floor,
and the music stopped. He turned in dis
may to see whence came that voice, and be-
held vision that made him gasp.
III L EKlNG ike wounded soldier, as
if every step made her vince, his wife
came toward him. Her feet were in their silk
stockings, and from the hand outstretched to
him dangled her tango slippers.
3Willoughby!" she pleaded. am all in!
Dead to the world! You've danced me off
my feet!s
3Julia!" he exclaimed, gathering her into
his arms. what do you mean! You're
nervous. You've had too good time. l
know-one little hesitation more"
3Never!' she moaned. Il never want to
hear the sound of the word againl l never
want to see or do another dance again!
Don't you understand? You've danced me
off my feet, just as Miss Davis said you
would if you ever got started! Garry me
upstairs!"
He gathered her in his arms, heavy as she
was, and started toward the stairs. Sud
denly he stopped, and she thought he was
going to drop her; SO she chung to his neck
with both arms.
@But listen!" he said. 3N1ust stop dane
ing too? Must Just when I've begun to
like it, just when it's begun to do me good?"
a don't care what you do, Willoughby,"
she moaned; @on1y never ask me again.
4That settles it then,' he said with finali-
ty. "1ll never dance again either. No
matter who asks me- no matter what the
temptation, hear my vow! L, Willoughby
Atkins swear never never AGAIN to dance a