Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1914-02-03
A Bout With Fame

usual. She masqueraded as Fame,
with legion tongues pretending con-
cealment in the gauzy folds OF her
| dress.
Here's one girl who owns up TO
being a gossip" thought I, and from
the very oddly of the thing secured
an introduction.
l played the role of Chanticleer,
and, not to crow about it at all, felt
that I ought to make hit.
With my most gallant stiff-armed
effect l swung Fame through the
dance, but somehow or other, l could
not for the life of me get beyond voic
ing the usual platitudes. 1t nettled
me- Ordinarily, aided by my glib
, tongue, l fostered acquaintance very
! successfully.
The gap in the conversation was De-
! coming a chasm when the girl came
to the rescue. Pointing to her lingual
| trophies she laughingly inquired,
"Have l annexed yours, too?'
| Somewhat piqued, l answered,
when Fame comes to one SO sud
denly the shock is likely to render
one dumb
Choose" she said generously,
sweeping her free hand across her
wares would you speak with the
tongue of men or of angels?"'
But if have not charity?" l ban
died.
"You will be rich man some day
| We both laughed.
Here" and detaching tongue,
she held it out to me-
rolled my eyes in mock horror.
Dare I take the risk? You know
friend Esop says it is the best or
worst thing in the world
81 guarantee this to be very civil
tongue" she argued Twill you keep
it?"
After delicate bit of navigation.
! I suddenly remembered that Fame
should also be equipped with myriad
eyes and ears. Upon mentioning the
fact to the lady, she said, Look
right at me-" .....
That was easy. She had pretty
! eyes.
| And listen"
hung breathless.
"You are listening carefully?''
I assured her, with eyes riveted.
Then why" she solemnly ques-
toned. should l carry excess bag
gage when obviously. you are all eyes
and ears?"
I bowed acknowledgment of my, de-
| feat. And she laughed again. In
fact. we both did. She had a mighty
infectious laugh.
A little wave of color swept across
her face. but she answered airily,
| "Ah. but you know she is an elusive
creature; what If she were to develop
| Protean tendencies and become a
Cause for Interviews, Headlines and
| Alimony?"
"In that case" said I, "she would
! have to change her name. and be call
| ed Infamy Would you very much
mind changing your name?"
Smilingly, she replied, Under the
conditions, think it would be in
famous, don't your"
I didn't, but didn't dare say SO.
| What soft, wavy hair she had!
During the intermission, she very
naively insisted upon grape sherbet
as being most color-proper for the
near advent of the season of penance.
81 love sherbet," she confided.
ut must love you" exchanged.
Why"
Likes attract" l murmured, just
by way of a change on the Sweets to
the sweet" proposition.
"Oh, am / as frigid as that?"
| But l knew that she had misunder-
stood purposely. for her voice. wasn't
at all cold.
We went into the conservatory. The
soft gloom was very restful after the
! radiance of the ballroom. We gave
mutual sigh of gratitude as we sank
into a comfortable nook. Fame's
satisfied yawn was a tribute to the
| place.
ono wonder people like it here"
she said. Its the pretty green,
don't you Think"
Usually, the pretty experienced"
I returned.
She laughed, then stopped sudden
| ly and looked at me. But l bore al
merely-pleasedw withdrawing emitted.S
a-successful-joke expression, so she re-
Tented.
The softened gayety of the music
hoated in to us, and now and then we
caught glimpses of Monk and Column
bine. Dragon and Shepherdess; all
caught alike in its merry whirl.
Isn't it entrancing?" breathed
Fame.
Mn" l agreed, studying the
curve of her cheek. do you prefer
lyric or martial music?" l inquired,
with the knit-brow air OF student.
Well" she said ingenuously, II
think l prefer the music which calls
to arms"
Maybe was fool, but couldn't
resist the impulse to crush both her
| hands in mine.
My fingers recoiled from the hard