Las Vegas optic., 1914-08-25

and between them, on the floor. cush-
ions. to serve as seats.
Il wonder II there are enough?"
said Don, and without waiting for an
answer. darted across the alley to
take from under the very head of a
neighbor, the desired articles, with
which he presently returned. Mean
while, De Bush. gray-haired, dignified
despite his pirate costume, was sol
emnly sliding over the wax he flung
upon the floor, while on the balcony
Blaume. the poet-model and Pell,
were giving each other illustrations of
the latest Gotch hHackenschmidt
match, greatly to the detriment of
| their costumes.
Then the first outside" guest ar
rived, lady in the character Of the
queen of Sheba Instantly she was
surrounded by an admiring, clamoring,
teasing group.
Am l the first?" asked the lady.
mo, indeed" said Bell comforting
ly, 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 party always are, the door
| opened to an Apache, full-painted for
war. A wild whoop went up at once,
and before it had subsided, 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!!! Kitty has on a
blonde wig!-yes, it is Ken Harris!
Well! look at Mr. De Bush, will you'll
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
new-lit cigarettes, Of heavy cosmetics
and camphor, hung in the atmosphere.
The hungry violinist readjusted his
handkerchief and waved his bow;
there was 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,
J 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 a small room opening
J on to the balcony, he came upon Iris
gagged in warding off the eager atten'
] tons of Pell, who was determined
that she should dance with him.
Hello, Iris!" 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 Pell, ma
king wry face, what right have you
boarding my ship this way? However
despite my newspaper instinct,
shall withdraw from ear-shot But II
you see a paragraph or two about
} yourselves, don't be surprised"
With which witticism he was off.
Fresh cub" muttered Leigh. Their
to Iris. MAY l sit down, or woult
you rather be left alone?"
"I-no, that is, yes!" said Iris con
fusedly. do sit here beside me
J please. II feel rather unhappy to
: night, and that boy bothered me
What is it that yCu have to tell me?'
Absolutely nothing" said Leigh
sinking down beside her, ut wai
only ruse. But I'll try and think VI
something if you like"
4 Don't troubled" replied Iris will
= a little laugh.
/ "Perhaps-that is, If you like to, yot
b know-will you tell me something?'
. Leigh responded.
, That depends" said Iris, pattine
+ the shimmering skirt of her costume
{ THAT depends on the nature of the
;, question"
> Il have no question to put" he told
) her. ut is only that can see you are
: unhappy, and there must be a reason
g for it. Now, If you told me that rea
a son, the telling might help you to dis
r Germ it's real significance"
you say such odd things" she re
piled, "and such true ones! In most
cases your receipt might work, but
= in this one, it won't. You see, my
5 chief trouble is that I have made an
awful fool of myself, and talking about