The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-15


sFrssndsi" snapped the Other, "rhs
Fewer ! Have the esttsrI"
interposed. They're sweet Rirls.
and were never young but once.
think Il was 80 fine Of Mr.. Valiant
70 o3er TO give the ball. I hear he's
motored TO Charlottesville three or
four times for fixings. though I under
stand he's poor enough since he gave
up his money az be did. What q
princely act that was!"
"Y-ee-es." agreed Mrs. Clifford, ''but
httle--what shall I call it?--pre-
cipitous! II 4 wore married to q man
Ike that I should always be In terror
OF his, adopting an orphan asylum or
turning Republican or something
equally impossible"
Tho doctor shut his ONCE door with
vicious slam and from the vantage
Of the wire window-screen looked sour
iy across the beds of marigold and
nasturtium.
Il reckon II Mrs. Poly Clifford shut
her mouth moro than ten minutes
hand-running." he said maievolently,
the top OF her head'd ny from here
70 Charlottesville"
The major. ensconced with q cigar
In the easy chair behind him. -four
ished his palm-leaf fan and smote an
errant Hy.
Speaking OF Damory Court" he
said In bis big voice. THE dance idea
WAS Q happy thought OF young Va
liant's. I'll be surprised IL he doesn't
do II to the queens taste"
The doctor nodded. This place
cant teach him much about such fol-
derolings, I reckon. He's led more
eotiilions than I've got hairs on my
head" $40
I'D hardly limit II to that" said
the major. chortling at the easy thrust.
And after all. even folderolings have
their USE
who said they hadn't? II people
choose TO make whirling dervishes of
themselves. they at least can reflect
that It's better for their lives than
canebottom chairs. Though that's
about all you can say In favor Of
the modern ball"
"Pshaw!" said the major. 81 re.
member q time when you used to rig
out In q claw-hammsr and
Dance all night till broad daylight
And 20 home with the gyrls In the morn
with the bravest of us. Used to like
Il. too"
II got over 1t before I was old
enough to make myself a butt of hi-
larity." the doctor retorted. II see by
the papers they've invented q new
dance called the grizzly bear. be-
neve there's another named the yip-
kyoodle. hope you've got 'em down
pat to show the young folk tonight,
Bristow."
The major got up with some irritar
tion. 'Southall." he said, sometimes
I'm tempted to think your remarks
verge upon the personal. You don't
nave TO watch me dance II you don't
choose to-"
No. thank God." muttered the doc
tor. Il prefer to remember you when
you still preserved a trace of dignity
twenty odd years ago"
IF dignity" the MAJORS blood was
rising now,-"consists 10 your eternal
tasteless chickering's. want none OF It.
What on earth do you do 1t for? You
had some friends once"
"Friends!" snapped the other, the
fewer I have the better!"
The major clapped on his straw hat
sngrily. strode to tlfe door. and opened
a. But on the threshold he stopped,
aud presently shut IL. turned back
slowly and resumed his chair. The
doctor was rehghting his cigar. but an
odd furtive look had slipped to his
face. and the hand that struck the
match was unsteady.
For a time both sat smoking, at
hrst 10 silence. then talking In a de-
sultory way on Indifferent topics. Fl.
nally the major rose and tossed his
cigar Into the empty CRATE.
III be- on now" he said "T must
be on the field before the others"
As he went down the steps a car.
riage. drawn by pair OF dancing
grays. plunged past. who are those
peOule with the Chalmpra I uo,ao,. I.