Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-20


the same way. As he made up his mind to stay there
until he could get cab, he began to look idly at the
posters also listen after the manner OF an dler to
the remarks about him:
"IAf Dausaut-Now Going On" one sign.
A space covered by trcised flowers with dancing
sprite in gauze shown another
Lets go up and trot bit, said woman in black
and very refined person she was, In fact as Summer
said to himself You wouldn't have thought it of her
Bill what do YOU say to twring about for an
hour?" asked man of another.
Summer could not believe his ears The reflned
woman had been one sort OF surprise. Here was an
other For this man-this who had so lightly
suggested an hours "twirling -1nust have weighed
good bit over hundred, and been tfty-fve If ne
day
An obstinate frenzy showed in Summers eyes. He
could dance He had let his little niece teach him for
fun" as he had said Yes he could dance. and prob
ably good deal better than that bulky, gray haired
idiot" who just crowding the refined woman IN
the elevator.
And I'm only forty-four," was Summers thought
he insisted entering, feeling glad that he dis
tinctv squeezed the overrpe person whose bovish re-
mark had been like a personal criticism.
Were you at the Greenes' last night? asked the
companion of the man who was tfty-tve.
AT the Greenes'? Not me. I've cut out anything
social that doesn't include dance. Really l do the
onestep and the lame duck in my sleep. replied the
other with a chucke that might have come from
schooboy playing "Ah, here we are. he lifted
gaily the cage stopped at the root NOW to let go
The place into which Summer wonderlngy stepped,
his pulses gently stirred anticipation that had
touch of mystery mixed with it. the shun root OF
one of the huge theaters that brise thick black
berry bushes a lane in July about Times Square.
Artificial foliage and flowers shirn1lered under the
glow of apricot-coored lights; fountains drlpped;
birds twittered and flew far up-real birds. The air
was heavy with flower scents: music filling it
that seemed have been born in the center OF the
worlds heart it pulsing, so tendery
complaining, esctatic whimsical And to this
music, in space marked by ropes OF flowers, tlfty
couples Swavlng
To watch these Summer dropped into a seat by
small table Men and women, youths and girls We're
all keeping time to that tempting syncopated melody
He wanted to dance-oh. how he wanted to dance
He set his teeth. He would dance. No one could stop
himl This thought became mania when approach
ing the railing of flowers he caught sight Of the stout
man of the elevator doing heel and toe effect with
remarkable ghtness and agility, with girl OF perhaps
half his age dancing with pleased smile on his moon
face Summer was furious.
THAT numbering natic Of nearly sixty in there. and
outside-only foytyow" he thought bitterly, and the
thought made him bold"
A GIRL-a pretty grl-a French girl it would
seenl-was just about entering the delrious cir
Gle She was holding up the end OF her slnsy
satin skirt and examining it. Plainly she needed pin
Now one OF the old bachelor habits that Summer had
automatically and for special reason acquired was
the picking up OF pins wherever he saw then and
fastening them under the lapel OF his coat He brought
one out now, and politely rendered it, with apology
"tAh meyci!7 the lovely girl lurrnured. How for
tunate that you have its it not so?
Summer added that it was so; in fact, he added
this in French, which he spoke fluentlv and with an
astonshngly arai Pdrisien accent. The pretty girl
made graceful response and sat down, as if to wait
for
pardon if | say YOU seem tired. Can | do any
thing for you? he asked respectfully, while pulling at
the neck of his courage make request that just
to think of touched him with vertigo.
All thank You. the girl rlurnlred graeiousv and