Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-12-22

across her skin. She was ashamed TO go
out before him. But no one was present
save Mr.. Bruni and the youth who had
hosted the swallow she was to super
sede. This youth Mr.. Bruni introduced
as his "asseestant, Ned Krook.
Mr.. Krug looked Silver over brazenly
and snlckered. She 1ared with modesty
at his gaze and with wrath at MS smile,
but she said nothing. Mr. Bruni laid
off his hat and his fur coat and his other
coat and taught silver the dance steps
IL needed all her reverence for him 10
keep down her amusement at MS appear
ance as he flung his barrel-like BODY TINS
way or that and kicked up his short tet'
almost kneeless legs She was trial 10
his temper for she had no tradition, m
stlnct or training in the dance ana no
had no breath or agility.
After roughing out the steps Mr.. Bruni
took up the flying programme.
As Ned Krug was buckling the harness
on Silver he murmured. You two was
certny some scream; fat old rander
tryin to learn n squad to dance turkey
trot But you're all right. grille; you ana
mes n sketch Wen have swell times
togedder, won't we?'
"yos we won't wel' was Sliver's only
answer. Krug liked her naughty manner.
He mumbled sure we will I'm batty
about you and you'll find me a regular
feller."
He kept his hands about her waist
longer than seemed necessary and silver
gave him smack In the face. It was
so loud that Mr.. Bruni Mt the opposite
side Of the stage, turned to see II pulley
had broken. Silver opened her mouth 10
demand:
SAY. Mr. Bruni, how much OF this
guys noive have gotta stand for?'
But she feared to be dismissed at once,
and she was not used to calling for help
In her perlls. SO she said nothing.
She went up kicking and swirling She
was out Of Krug's reach, but more than
ever in his power He gave her one or
two sickenlng lurches to emphasize this
fact and she was frightened beyond
screaming. But she was even more afraid
of being returned to her old life
In time she learned to swim In the
air, to keep her equilibrium and to take
n superlative 10y In the new element she
had gained. SO Bruni told her the time
and the train for the morrows journey
and left her to put off her celestial raj
ment and get back to her dingy self.
When she came down from the dressing
room she found Krug waiting for her.
She made her nails ready for catlike
Defense but to her stupefaCtion he lifted
his hat to her! II was the first time she
had ever received this tribute and 1t was
overwhelming And he said In his most
sugary tones:
You cert'ny slipped one over on me.
Me mob is buzzin' yet. But | like girl
got some fight in her. And you're light as
n fedder, too. Gee, you're a pipe to lift.
Deys a lot o tips | can give you datl
help some Supposin' you and me was
to have dinner togedder. You must be
ready for de eats after all de work you
done"
silver was prepared to dislike Mr.. Krug.
but before such gallantry who would
not relent? And how tactful it was OF
| him to mention food. She was heroine
enough to refuse his "Ah, come aim"
once, twice thrice, but that was her
| limit.
| So she went with him to n restaurant
! n little less clean and little more eN-
| pensive than the dairy lunches that had
| marked her highest social arrival hereto
| fore. Mr.. Krug. as host, majesticnlly
/ went down the line: oysters, soup, steak,
| fried potatoes and pie. He urged silver
| to Join him in n pitcher of beer, but she
! would not be persuaded. There had been
| too much beer in her envrons. She had
| carried too many pals OF 1t up too many
| stairs.
But oysters-thcse were almost her first.
| and they were as large as small hot-water
| bags Each one of them was a problem.
| But she solved them all. She solved the
| soup, together with two slices Of bread
! that she broke up in It, following Mr..
| KruE's example. She ate the steak with
the eager fangs of a young animal and
| hurried the potatoes down in single file.
! OF the pie she left not n crumb, and she
drained two cups OF coffee.
(CoNTINUED TOMORROW