Putnam patriot., 1914-10-09
TWO 0F HE EASKERS
By ARTHUR COTTONWOOD.
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4 truly aWelnsTIflug ED0lmah ID IIf' cry led Craymore down the stairs, E whispered to another footman stand, ing by the heavy poruers, and with i drew BoiselessIy. Thls second loot man held aside the old tapestry, which had undoubtedly worn thin the fingers Of clolsterec nuns centuries ago. and announced. MT Robert With ington Craymore. in . loud. clear voice. to which no one seemed b pay the least attention. and stood aside for Crzymore 10 enter
 Craymore found himself in room filled with men in somber evening clothes and the most gorgeousiy gowned women he had ever seen.
 4 stout little bald-headed man near the door. aho could not have helped hearing the announcement of his name. said Hello. Craymore. old chap" as Craymore passed him, and pretty young woman just beyond nodded to him brightly
 He found himself at last before a dull. bored-lookihg man who stopped down and whispered. even as hs clasped craym0re.s hand. I never could remember namess
 sCraymeee the young man replied Wlth that engaging smile be knew so well how to use
 .0f course Of course. said the bored man rather aFelogetieally Ought to remember 'em better. but can't seem 10 get the hang of doing t. My dear z he turned to the stout yoluble woman beside him, here Is Craymore."
 Thus he washed his hands of Cray more and went On looking dreafily bored
 oh. Mir craymore, so good Of you 10 come. Where have you been hiding yourself. naughty boy Are you in se- elus.on trying Tor holy orders? One would think SO from all We see of you these days Oh. Alice. 1 want you to know Hr CraymoFe. Graymore, Miss Leyden. You lucky girl No one tangoes quite like Mir Craymore. Run along. now. and prove to her how truthful I am And don't forget-a dance with me al IL"
 Thus did she dismiss Craymore and continue being yoluble 1t was really easier than Craymore had supposed.
 He tangoed in the big. glaring gold and white ballroom with Alice Ley den. and when man came to claim her at the end of the dance he was told how diyinely he danced. and passed on to Miss Greig. who chat tered while she danced
 Al the end Of that dance. Miss Greig being promptly claimed. he found him. self quite free He found sort of conservatory just of the ballroom. with little orange trees in bloom and a tiny fountain piashing unsteady into 8 big pool Of Japanese goldfish.
 He sat down to adjust things. He had done the thing and t was ridieu. lously easy t almost spoiled 1t all to think there had been no more call to use his wits
 Then his thought were interrupted by girls ripping laughter He liked the sound of that voice even before he saw the girl herself And he liked the glfl when she came into view, even better. There were two swains in at- tendance with her
 She looked quickly al craymore sitting by one ef the little blossoming orange trees. half nodded, and laugh. ingly dismissed her two knights. Cray. more jumped to his feet.
 You are not having a good time,- said the girl, quite unexpectedly.
 Why. how on earth do you know that" he asked.
 Your face tells 1t plainly" said she You are moping alone over some thing Cheer up. I'm not, either"
 Five dances she sat out with him in the little room of the goldfish and bios' soming orange trees. Craymore had prided himself that he was not particu- larly susceptible 10 women. but this girl was like no other he had ever seen or known. That was what he had come here to find out-if these girls one met here were so wonderfully dit ferent
 This time it's to say goodnight, or good-morning." she said. T wish and there was a little Wistful note in her voice. eit didn't have to be good. by. Of course. you'll never see me again"
 So she had seen through him all the time
 T wish 1t didn't have to be good by too. said he .But since you've seen through me l may as well save my face as best can. It was ridiculously easy Far easier than l thought 1t would De. indeed.
 What do you mean?" she asked. puzzled.
 Even these clothes l have on are hired for tho occasion" said he. T simply drove up in state in hired clothes in a hired car and gave my name brazenly and in rather bored fashion"
 Then you haven't any right here?"
 T thought you had seen that"
 Why, nc" said she. Why. no" she repeated. T said 1t would have to be good.by because thought you were one of these people-and speak ing of hired thlngs-this gown Is hired and SO was the car came in, and. oh. dear'"
 She fell 10 laughing immoderately.
 Who are youa" she demanded at length
 My name is Craymore, I'm A law yer-without clients as vet. but l have hopes
 And l am Elsie Dunlap. china h.aNnn u aaa.nLnmn A 2 n fl mel 1