The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-09-24
..Tnere.s nttle surprise QUO mere tOr

A rush Of noise filed the hall Lu.
cile and Ted Teasdale, handsome Dick
Rodley and Arly Fosland and Houston
Van Ploon, had come Gathering in as
an escort for Mrs. Davies, whose pet
fad was to have as many young people
as possible bring her home from any
place.
Where's the baby?" demanded
handsome Dick DodleY. heading for
the stairs.
SILLY, you mustn't" cried Lucille,
and started after him Flakes should
be asleep at this hour"
81 came in for the sole purpose of
teaching Flakes the turkey trot," de-
clared handsome Dick, and ran away.
followed by Lucille.
"Lucile's becoming passe," crit
cized Ted. She's flirting with Rodney
for the second time"
Can you blame herr" defended Arly
Fosland She was sitting in the deep
corner OF her favorite couch, nursing
slender ankle, and even her shining
black hair, to say nothing of her shin
ing black eyes, seemed to be swapping
with wicked delight.
Lucille and handsome Dick came
struggling down the stairway with
Flakes between them, and Gail sprang
instantly to take the bewildered puppy
from them both. Little blonde Lucille
gave up her interest to the prior right
but Rodley pretended to be obstinate
about it. His deep eyes burned down
into Calls, as he stood bending above
her, and his smile, to Towards con.
centrated gaze, had in it that danger
Gus fascination which few women
could resist! Gail was positively smil
ing up into his eyes!
"Tableau!" called Ted. "All ready
for the next reel"
Hold it a while" begged Arly, and
even Rev. Smith Boyd was forced
to admit that the picture was
handsome enough to be retained. The
Adonis-like Dick, with his black hair
and black eyes, his curly black mus.
tache and his black goatee, his pink
cheeks and his white teeth; Gail,
gracefully erect, her head thrown
back, her brown hair waving and her
fluffy white Flakes between them; it
was painfully beautiful.
Children, go hone." suddenly com.
manded Mrs. Davies. Dick. put the
dog back where you found it."
81 suppose well have to go home"
drawled Ted Dick put back that
dog"
Put away the dog, Dick" ordered
the heavier voice of young Van Ploon.
Come along. Gail, I'll put him away"
At his approach, Dick placed the
puppy with great care, in Calls
charge, and took her arm Van Ploon
took her other arm, and together the
trio, laughing, went away to return
Flakes to his bed. They chung to her
most affectionately, bending over her
on either side; and they called her
GALL
The others were ready to go when
they returned from the collie nursery,
and the three young men stood for
moment in a row near the door, Gail
looked them over with puzzled eX-
preston. What was there about them
which was so attractive? Was it poise
sureness, polish, breeding. experience,
insolence, grooming-what? Even the
stiff Van Ploon seemed smooth Of
bearing tonight
They still were standing in the hall.
and the front door opened.
Brought you a prodigal," hailed
Uncle Jim, slipping his latchkey in his
pocket as he held the door open for
the prodigal in question.
Gail was watching the doorway.
Someone outside was vigorously
stamping his feet The prodigal came
in, and proved to be Allison, buoyant
of step, sparkling of eye, firm of jaw,
and rudy from the night wind. Smil-
ing with the sureness of welcome. he
came eagerly up to Gail. and took her
hand, retaining it until she felt COM
PEELED to withdraw 1t, recognizing
again that thrill. The barest trace of
flush came into her cheeks, and paled
again.
Gail changed her garments and let
down her waving hair and, disdaining
the help of her maid, performed all
the little nightly duties, to the putting
away Of her clothing. Then. in per-
fectly neat and orderly boudoir, she
sat down to take herself seriously in
hand
There was a knock at the door and,
on invitation, the tall and stately Mrs.
Helen Davies came in, frilled and ruff
fled for the night. She found the
dainty little guest boudoir in green
tinted dimness. Gail had turned down
all the lights In the room except the
, green lamps under the canopy, and
, she sat on the divan, with her brown
! hair ripping about her shoulders, her
r knees clasped in her arms, and her
> dainty little boudoir slippers peeping
} from her flowing pink negligee, while
, the dim green light, suited to her pres