The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-12-25
CHAPTER xlx-contInued.

CHAPTER xlX-Contlnued.
Then the first outside" guest ar
rived. a lady in the character of the
queen Of Sheba. Instantly she was
surrounded by an admiring. clamoring
teasing group.
Am l the frst?" 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 a party always are, the door
opened to an Apache, full-painted fol-
war. A wild whoop went up at once
and before 1t had suhsided, the crowd
began to stream in, many-colored
noisy. gorgeous or humorous. filling
the dim studio with a dream-hke
throng, alive with movement. fraugn'
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
blonde wig!-yes, it is Ken Harris!
Well! look at Mr.. De Bush, will you
Hello, Pell, old boy. feel as great q
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 a 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
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 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
on to the balcony, he came upon Iris,
who, seated upon a divan, was en-
gagged in warding off the eager atten'
tions 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 yanderpool.'
"You brigand!" retorted Peu, ma
king a wry face. what right have you
boarding my ship this way? However
despite my newspaper instinct,
shall withdraw from ear-shot. But Il
you see a paragraph or two about
yourselves, don't be surprised"
With which witticism he was off.
Fresh cub" muttered Leigh. Then
to Iris, May I sit down, or would
you rather be left alone?"
"I-no, that is, yes!" said Iris con
fusedly. "Do sit here beside me
please. Il feel rather unhappy to
night, and that boy bothered me-
What is it that you have to tell me?'
Absolutely nothing" said Leigh.
sinking down beside her, "it was
only a ruse. But I'll try and think uI
something If you like"
Don't troubled" replied Iris with
q little laugh.
"Perhaps-that is. If you like to, you
know-will you tell me something?'
Leigh responded.
That depends" said Iris, patting
the shimmering skirt of her costume
"That depends on the nature Of the
question"
81 have no question to put" he told
her. TT Is only that can see you are
unhappy, and there must be a reason
for it. Now. If you told me that rea
son. the telling might help you to dis
Germ its real significance"
"You say such odd things" she re
piled, land such true ones! In mos
cases your receipt might work, but
In this one, it won't. You see, my
chief trouble Is that have made al
awful fool of myself, and talking abou
it would only make me more fool thar
ever
mot necessarily" he responded
"For instance, you might have beer
misled in the first place. You are
scarcely responsible for that, and al
your foolishness might be subsequent
and dependent upon such misleading
or deception"
That's it exactly, cried Iris. "Oh
Mr.. Leigh, do you think 1t would b.
very terrible If I were to tell 70,
something-somethin that involved
a third person. I mean? It woult
ease nv mind so, and 1 must have ad
vice! My father has gone off some
where, and there is no one else. d.
you think I might
"I think you might" replied Leigh
slowly. Il think 1t would do no harm
to tell me il it concerned one partic
uIar person. mean--Pedro!"
$50 you know!" cried Iris, Violentl!
agitated. You know! And l never
even guessed, and went on making
love to him -. her, that Is. ant
couldn't understand why he--sht
didn't like 1t. And oh! more thai
that, / did terrible things; that is
they would have been terrible 1
Pedro had been a man. l went there
alone The model told me ought no
to, and why; but was mad did no
really understand what she meant
And then, last night" voice sanl
to q whisper and she kept looking fix
edly at the foor-'Iast night wen
to Pedro's studio again alone
I was desperate didn'
clearly know what was doing. Ant
Ae Chat was before 1ew>, Pedro