The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-04
The Euening Story
He Could Not Dance.
(By Olive Roberts Barton.


of the limousine and waited for her
Dressed in black velvet, she was COM
pletely hidden in the deep shadows of
the car.
Mr.. Grayson stepped briskly out
from between the granite pillars of
the entrance followed by a young man.
When Virginia saw the stranger she
shrank back further than ever into
the recesses of the deep seat. can
other of fathers eligibles for me to be
nice to- she thought. 81 suppose I'll
be bored now the whole way home
talking about the weather."
But after her father had opened the
glass door and stepped back to permit
his companion to enter the latter
changed his mind. I'm sorry, Mr..
Grayson, but it has just occurred to me
that I was to do something for my
aunt. 1t almost escaped my memory.
I am very sorry indeed to have to re-
fuse your invitation"
You'll not meet my daughter" re-
turned her father in his blunt, brusque
way that brought the color flying to
her cheeks.
He added, "And she's worth meet
ing!" Virginia could have cried. 1t
was dreadful, this habit of her fathers
of commencing her to financially for
knew he was tremendously proud of
her, and it was this thought which
made her forgive him instantly.
Il know Miss Grayson is unusually
charming and am disappointed more
than can tell you. Perhaps you will
find it in your heart to ask me again"
The men shook hands, babe each
other good evening, and her father got
into the car.
why, Virgie, I didn't see you. Say
that's too bad! 1 wanted you to meet
young Shaw, the chap that's just gone
Why didn't you yell 2"
81 was afraid he was another eligi-
BILE, pape dear" nischievously. you
know can't be nice to them!'
You could if you tried. Virgie. For
my sake anyway, now couldn't your
Il suppose SO. But you see all the
girls in Christendom are nice to them.
1t does them good to be jolted out of
their self-conceit once in a while"
This one isn't conceited. He's a
sensible. steady, Self-made man. They
call him the Copper King. He made
most of his own fortune in the West
whence he has just returned"
Does he dance?'' wickedIy touch
ing a match to her fathers gunpow-
der temper.
mol" he exploded. "Just so a
mans got springs in his legs, you
don't care whether he's got a sou in
his pocket!''
And just so a mans got few
bonds in brine, you don't care wheth-
er he's as ugly as an anteater, as old
she retorted. Your friend from the
West seems to belong to the last
variety. Look at his clothes!'
He'll get over that. He's only
been here two days and he's been
very busy. Some one has stolen some
jewels from the aunt with whom he is
living. He has been helping the po-
lice
"Ohl" was Virginia's only comment
to this, but she couldn't forget that
mere man from the West had not
seized an opportunity to meet the
much sought after Miss Grayson.
That evening she accompanied her
aunt and uncle to the opera, then to
supper at a fashionable restaurant
where there was dancing. The older
people, busy with a generous repast
and some old friends, gave a ready
consent when a young man whom
Virginia knew claimed her as part
ner.
Virginia passed from one eager
her self dancing with a young man
who seemed to have wings on his
feet.
Slender and 1.-THE, he was without
had, and very good looking. She
closed her eyes in ecstasy as he guild
ed her in and out among the moving
couples with wonderful ease.
Here was a man who came up to
her ideal in every way. Good look
ing, well dressed, and a splendid
danceri What did her father know
of men? Her thoughts turned to the
westerner with amused contempt, and
even as they did so she found herself
looking into his eyes.
He was sitting alone at O side table
watching her and her partner with an
odd expression Virginia colored fu-
riously. The man is positively rude
she thought, 1.-The way he is staring
at uSi He never takes his eyes off
us for ar Instant!
Her partner seemed to think Vir-
ginia as Fascinating as she found him
and they had every dance together
after that. Only ono thing spoiled
her good time. She had the feeling
that the lonely man at the table never
lost sight of them
Later another man Joined him, tn IN
another. The three then kept their
eyes on the dancers, and as soon as
the music stopped one of the trio came
over and spoke to her partner. He
excused himself hurriedly and left
with the man. The other two at the
table rose and followed.
well, of all things.' exclaimed Vir-
ginia. This is the most mysterious
affair I ever experienced in ny life
with her aunt "a very dear old |
friend" explained the latter, who is
interested in you and asked me par
ticUlarly to bring you"
There she met the man-not her
Apollo of the night before-but tire
man from the west, who had evident
ly had time to consider his appear
ance to the smallest detail Nothing