The Washington times., 1914-01-12
CHAPTER XXXvI.

TBE dance was one long lauSh-
The trio dared not meet each
others eyes. There were per-
perhaps eighty couples, all Of
then a little self-conscious of their
fancy dress, and all on their very best
behavior, while fat chaperons and thin
chaperons in their best Sunday -go-to-
meeting garments-there was not one
evening gown in the assembly-preen-
ed themselves, slipped lemonade, and
told each other tales Of the wonderful
dances they had had in their youth.
The secretary, who had done himself
very well at the Rendezvous, fused
around with a badge in his buttonhole
as if the weight OF the world was upon
hIs shoulders. He accomplished moth
looked hot and sticky, and the chapeT-
ons caught his eye and nodded and
said:
Really ,mOst remarkable organizer,
Mr.. Browne-jOnes, is he not?'
The men, most of whom were in even
ing clothes, wore buttons with the
clubs initials stamped on, while the
girls had worked the colors in some
way into their frocks, and scraps of
conversation tioated out from time to
time.
"A lovely floor. is it not. Mr.. Seeker
Their arms bobbed up and down.
Yes. indeed, Miss Searle; ] was just
think>g so. You took the word from
my mouth His gloves were very
tight
you do dance divinely. Mr.. Ronker!"
Miss Parker half closed her eyes.
Glad you think so. I go to all the
hops round about, you know"
The arrival of the trio caused a buzz
OF conversation among the chaperons,
and the members of the club seemed
inclined to resent them. Several of the
men found the secretary and told him
so. They watched Eyerard and Angy
sail into a two-step with lack OF
solemnity that struck them almost as
sacrilege. But they very shortly ac-
cepted the secretary's explanation
Angy was decidedly pretty-and asked
to he introduced
Meanwhile the chap"rCns very nearly
upset their lemonade iE horror. Who
Was this girl who came to a dance alone
with two men? Did she know nothing
abr Ut the etiquette of dancing? IT was
'.nheard Of, Really. Mr. BrOwne-JOnes
ought to be lite more careful. But
their charges pretended net to hear their
criticisms. They looked upon Everard
with a very favorable eye, and it was
obvious that the red-haIrcd man was
fine dancer, and, if he w0E ugly, he was
a real oxford tennis blne. Just fancy:
BrOwne-JOnes was man of brains.
He scented the ill-feelinE at once, and,
TO counteraCt il. spread about the news
Ct who these people we're One oxford
blue. girl VINO won the ladies' singles
at Cannes, and the other oxford man.
runner-up for the French champion
ship.
After that. what did it matter wheth-
er they had a Chaperon or not? They
were the right people. They CoIld do
And what was more, think
what a feather they would be in the
clubs cap! Why. next year they would
win everything, sweep the board. II
anybOdy grumhled after that he would
resign the secretaTyship then and there.
BrOwne-JOnes twirled h'S mustache.
The upper ten don't bother about
he stated Guthor.tattve:H-
"ChapeTOns indeed"
He had said that the trio could do
anything, When their fame had spread
through the room they did Everard
CAPTURED maidcES from under thc very
roses of ther rlghtful partners and
danced with each one as If he loved
her pass'Onate.y.
AnCy found herself surrounded by men
Of the type she had met in the office,
very hight CUNSared, With comic clothes,
red handkerchiefs peepinC forth as
though by accident between their shirts
and their waisICoats, Llack ties with
"oIOred waistCOast and up
side-dOwn collars.
Every man che danced with talked
tennis and asked her about Cannes and
now long she had been playing. Angy
had never played tennis In her lie. and
when she guessed that these references
were in connection with the story Ever
ard had made up At the Rendezvous.
she vent into silent lits Of laughter and
lodged them with quickness thai she
had never known she Possessed
Everard and Ruddy were introduced
% dozens Of girls, with whom they had
already danced. Dy Browne-JOnes, who
began 10 feel that II was the triumph
IF his life TO have discovered these peO-
Die He took entire credit upon himself,
md now addressed them as "Leyden,
I'D man." 'Lalenam, my boy" and
whenever possible placed a hand on
heir shoulders-the privilege Of an int
nate friend.
The two tumbIed to the joke when
heir partners began asking them how
ong IL was since they were at OK
ord University" They arranged 20
rave every second dance with Angy, so