Evening star., 1914-08-02

and on this table the thing in all the world he
hated-a canned-music machine, which, even at that
moment, screaming out the mechanical melody OF
hesitation waltz. And, his wife trpped forward
lightly and led him into the room by of his 1abby,
perspiring hands, and presented him to young woman
who smiled pleasantly at him, he gave in absolutely. If
they had done all this to him, how could he stop them
from completing the slaughter of his manhood now?
nF Willoughby Atkins first dancing lesson there is
- little to saw 1t began with his declaring that the
whole thing baly rot that he couldn't, wouldn't,
shouldn't learn; that his feet were not mates he had
for music time had never danced step IN his
life, and knew he looked like idiot now He mopped
Niagaran torrents from the back of his neck, and
made to change his collar three times in the hour. But
when all over, and he lay painting the couch,
Miss Davis the young lady instructor declared that he
had done wonders
"Ony7 she said 3you must practise, Mr.. Atkins; SO
when l come tomorrow you'll remember what you
learned today
3Oh he WILL said Mrs. Atkins, leaning over him and
removing his wilted collar. wont you, Willoughby?'
Downtown they said of Willoughby Atkins that you
could not beat him. Sometimes you might think you
had him groggy; but he always had knockout punch
left and just when you least expected it he'd land it on
you. But it would have been pretty hard to believe
that there any shammng about him now, as he lay
inert jellysh his rotund face the hue OF sum-
sunset his capacous frame shaken with his efforts
to regain his natural breathing
Silently lie listened to his wife she thanked him for
being asuch good boy and kissed him gratefully.
Silently he heard her plans for the campaign of hes
dansans she intended giving soon as they had at
tanned enough prohciency-he looked like warrior
taking the count!
But after dinner when Mrs Atkins went Immediately
into the library and turned the preserved melody for
them to practise the elementary steps that Miss Davis
had taught them in the afternoon he rebeed declaring
that positively murder in the first degree to make
dance SO soon after eating.
aA1 RIGHT Wi11ouphby dear said Mrs, Atkins
gracous1y She could afford to be gracious goodness
knows Her scales told her that the afternoon lesson
had taken pounds from her already! Eli tell you
she added. why don't you take little stroll and
smoke cigar? Just this I'll let you have your
after-dinner puff, even if DR.. Hasbrouck has pro-
hibited it,"
Willoughby could scarcely restrain the leap of hopeful
Joy that his wifes words brought to his heart The
doctor Why had he not thought of him before? There
his savior! There his escape from the thraldom
into which his wife dragging him! He almost
rushed from the house, scarcely hearing Mrs Atkins
admonition to return
He hurried to drugstore at the and inserted
his copous proportions into telephone booth, calling
nervousy for number.
@Helo.' he said when he was connected. as this
DR. Hasbrouc1? Say Doctor this is Atkins, Willoughby
Atkins. Huh? Yes I've been hurrying; bat I'm all
right My heart? Well, to tell the TRUTH Doctor its
been jumping little lately, and want you to come
round to the house. When? Tonight! Nowl Be
not to alarm Mrs. Atkins. Better not let her know
sent for you but Hello. Hello. Say, Central,
you've cut off. Give me that number again
While he waited he cast guilty look over his shoul-
der as each new customer entered the store. What if
his wife some Of the neighbors should see him. and
aHelo! This DR.. Hasbrouck's? They cut off.
Now listen, Doctor l want to explain. My wifcs got
the dancing fever bad and is trying to make get the
craze too You know don't want to, and maybe, if
you'll throw little into her about my heart,
and Huh? This isn't the Doctor? Why, where is
he? Gone out? l was just talking to him. Where?
Mr.. Willoughby Atkins house? Goodbye
He hung up the receiver and dashed from the booth.
Evidently DIR. Hasbrouck had become alarmed