The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-01-08
CHI r xix-contInued.

queen of Sheba. Instantly she was
surrounded by an admiring, clamoring.
teasing group.
Am / the first?" 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 party always are, the door
opened to an Apache, full-painted for
war. A wild whoop went up at once,
and before it had subsidized, the crowd
began to stream in, many-colored,
noisy, gorgeous or humorous, filling
the dim studio with a dream-like
throng, alive with movement, fraught
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 Males tights!!! Kitty has on
blonde wig!-yes. 1t Is Ken Harris!
Well! look at Mr.. De Bush, will you!
Hello, Pell. old boy, feel as great a
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
hewitt cigarettes, of heavy cosmetics
and camphor, hung In the atmosphere.
The hungry violinist readjusted his
handkerchief and waved his bow;
there was 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 a quick word Of greeting to
Don Milligan, he thrust his impedi-
menta into 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-
tons 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 Vanderpool."
you brigand!" retorted Pell. ma
king 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 paragraph or two about
yourselves, don't be surprised"
With which witticism he was off.
Fresh cub" muttered Leigh. Then
to Iris, May l 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 1t that you have to tell me?"
Absolutely nothing" said Leigh,
sinking down beside her, ut was
only ruse. But I'll try and think up
something If you like"
Don't troubled" replied Iris with
little laugh.
'Perhaps-that is, IL you like to, you
know-will you tell me something"
Leigh responded.
THAT depends" said Iris, patting
he shimmering skirt Of her costume.
"That depends on the nature of the
question"
II have no question to put" he told
her. 1T is only that / can see you are
unhappy, and there must be a reason
Tor it. Now, II you told me that rea-
son, the telling might help you to dis
Germ its real significance"
You say such odd things" she re-
pied, "and such true ones! In most
pases your receipt might work. but,
In this one, 1t won't. You see, my
thief trouble Is that have made an
awful fool Of myself. and talking about
! would only make me more fool than
Sver.s
"Not necessarily" he responded.
-Tor instance. you might have been
misled In the nrst place. You are
pcarcely responsible for that. and all
Jour foolishness might DO subsequent
md dependent upon such misleading.
~ deception"
-Thaf's II exactly!" cried Iris. ''oh.
Mr.. LeigiS do you think II would be
ssry terrible II were to tell you
neutrality-suspicious. that involved
third person. mean? II would
sase my mind 20. and must have ad-
VICE! My father has gone or some
where, and there Is no one else. Do
you think I might?"
DER .,1.. x,,lUhA ro,ItaA ~t-t