The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-02-17

In his voice which had come for the
first time. She was a tribe startled by
1t, and she lowered her eyes before
the steady gaze which he poured down
on her. Why, he was In earnest!
Then take me to Lucille" she
smiled up at him. and strolled In to-
ward the ballroom.
Willis Cunningham met them at the
door.
You promised me the first dance"
he breathlessly informed Gail. He had
been walking rapidly.
I've the second one. remember,
GAIL" Dick reminded her. as he
glanced around the ballroom for his
" partner. but Gail distinctly felt
his eyes following her as she walked
away with Cunningham.
81 know now of what your profile
reminds me-" Cunningham told her;
the Charmeaux Praying Nymph.' 1t
is the most spiritually beautiful OF all
the pictures in the Louvre"
Il wonder which is the stronger
emotion In me Just now" she re-
turned; "gratifed vanity or curiosity"
Il hope it's the latter" smiled Cum
ningham. 81 recall now q gallery IN
which there is a very good copy Of the
Charmeaux canvas, and I'd be delight
ed to take you"
"I1l go with pleasure" promised
Gail, and Cunningham turned to her
with a grateful smile.
II would prefer to show you the
original" he vsntured.
"Oh, look ut them tuning their
drums" cried Gail, and he thought
that she had entirely missed his hint,
that the keenest delight In his life
would be to lead her through the
Louvre, and from thence to q perspec-
tive of picture galleries, dazzling with
all the hues Of the spectrum, and as
! long g life!
He had other things which he want
ed to say, but he calculatingly re-
served them for the day of the picture
viewing, when he would have her ex.
elusive attention; so, through the
dance, he talked of trifes far from his
heart. He was a nice chap. too.
Dick Rodley was on hand with the
last stroke Of the music, to claim her
for his dance. BY one of those waves
of unspoken agreement, Gail was be-
ing rushed" 1t la her night. and
she enjoyed 1t to the full.
Van Ploon danced with her, danced
conscientiously, keeping perfect time
to the music, avoiding, with practiced
adroitness. every possible p~ocketing,
or even hem contacts with surround
ing couples, and acquitting himself Of
lightly turned observations at the ex-
piration of about every seventy SEQ
onds. He quite approved of her; ex-
traordinarily so. He had never met q
girl who approached so nea the thou
sand per cent grade Of perfection by
all the blue ribbon points.
II was while she was enjoying her
second restful dance with Van Pioon
that Gail. swinging with him near the
! south windows, heard the honk of an
auto horn, and nea the conclusion of
the dance, saw Allison standing in the
doorway of the ballroom, with his
! hands In his pockets, watching her
with a smile. Her eyes lighted with
pleasure, and she nodded gayly to him
over Van Ploon's tall shoulder. When
the dance stopped she vas on the far
side of the room, and was instantly
the center Of q buzzing little knot of
dancers, from out of which carefree
laughter radiated like visible flashes
Of musical sound. She emerged from
the group with the arms Of two bright
eyed girls around her waist, and met
Allison sturdily breasting the currents
which had set towards the conserva-
tory. the drawing rooms, or the buffet.
Nobody has saved me a Dance" he
complained.
Nobody expected you until tomor-
row." Gail smilingly returned, intro
ducing him to the girls. I'll beg you
n of my dances from Ted or some
body"
Zone will be enough for me, unless
you can steal me some more Of your
own" he told her, glancing down at
her, from couture to blue pointed slip
pers, with calm appreciation. "You
are looking great tonight" and his
gaze came back to rest in her glowing
eyes. Her fresh color had been height
ened by the excitement of the evening,
bat now an added flush swept lightly
over her cheeks. and passed.
TN see what l can do" she specu-
lated. looking at her dance card. u
think n Is all you get"
I'm lucky even to have that" do
clared Allison In content. "The fourth
dance down. That will Just give me
time to punish the buffet. I'm hungry
as a bear. l started out here without
my dinner
Her next partner came In search of
her presently. and the music struck
up. and Allison. nodding to his many
acquaintance joyially. for he was In
excellent humor In these days of build
ing, and planning. and clearing ground
for An entirely new superstructure of
life. circled around to the dining room,
where he performed savage feats at
the buffet. Soon he was out again,
standing quietly at the edge OF things.