The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-02

In another instant they were
shaking hands cordially.
You'll excuse me moment?
Guilford asked, turning to me. 81
wanted to speak to-Delia Ram.
age" This is called heaping Goals
of fire.
"Of course you're engaged fol
the first dancer" Maitland TAFT
asked. as the music began. 81
knew that I'd have to miss that
when was late. But"-he came
a step closer and spoke as If act
ing under some hasty impulse
II want to tell you how very Love
ly l think you are tonight!
hope you do not mind my saying
this? l didn't know 1t before =
thought it was due to other in
fluences-but you are beautiful"
| Tin afraid" began pal
pitatingly.
But you must not say that"
he commanded, his deep voice
muffled. This is just the begin
ming of what wish to say to
you"
l wrenched my eyes away from
his-then looked quickly for Gull
ford. Grandfather Moore's warn
ings In my ears were choking the
violin music into demoniac bowls.
Aren't you going to dance -
with some one?" l asked, turning
back quickly, as Guilford's arm
slipped about me and we started
away. Maitland TAFT swept his
eyes down the room to where
Mrs. Charles Sefton-a sister-in-
law of the house of Kendall =
and her daughter Anabel were
standing. Mrs. Seton was a pill
lar of siciey, and, II one must use
architectural SMILES, Anabel was
a block. They caught him and
made a sandwich of him on the
spot. ! whirled away with Gull
ford.
At the end of the dance found
myself close to a door that open
ed into a small conservatory.
I'm going in here to rest a
minute, Guilford," explained.
setting him free with a little push
toward group of girls he knew.
You run along and dance with
some of them. Men aren't any too
plentiful tonight"
"No-o-Ill 60 with you," he
objected lazily, slipping his Gig
aret case from his pocket. You're
too darned pretty tonight to stay
long in a conservatory alone"
But I'll not be alone" 1 re-
piled. Grandfather and Uncle
Lancelot will be with me-" +
Whats going on in your con-
science now?" he asked, with
slightly primped lips. $50
"Something-that I'll tell you
about later"
He turned on his heel, with an
unflattering abruptness, and left
me. | entered the damp, earthly
smelling room, where giant ferns
broke off the view of a green cane
bench. | made for this settee and
sank down dejectedly.
How long / sat there l could
not tell, but after a little while
three people entered.
How warm it is tonight" I
heard Maitland Tait's voice sud
denly proclaim, in a fretful tone.
But he drew up a chair and sub
sided into 1t. This is the first
really warm night we've had this
summer"
1T seems like the irony of
fate. doesn't it," Anabel Seton
asked with nervous little gig
gle.
I'VE had almost no dances dur
ing April and May, when one
really needed violence of some
sort to keep warm" her mother
fastened to explain. "And now,
at this last dance of the season,
1t is actually hot"
The last big dance, mother"
of counsel" Mrs. Seton lean
ed toward the other two chairs
confidentially. "A crush like this
is too big" she declared.
"Oh, but l like the big at
fairs" Anabel pouted. "You
never know then who you're 60
ing to run acrossl"
Dan Hunter is here = for a
wonder" her mother agreed, "and
Grace Christie! Have you met
Miss Christie, Mr.. Tait?"
Yes" he replied.
She's gone In for newspaper
work." Anabel Calculated.
Just pose" her mother
hastily added. "She really be-
longs to one of our best families,
and is engaged to Guilford
Blake"
But she won't marry him."
Anabef said seriously. I'm sure
| can't understand such a. nature.
They've been, engaged all their
lives, and"
"she doesn't deserve anything
better than to lose him." her
mother broke in. "If he should
chance to look In some other d.
rection for while she'd change
her tactics, no doubt"
Oh-no doubt" echoed a deep
male voice. Gme7
After while the trio melted
quietly away. | rose from my
chair and started toward the door
when | saw that Maitland TAFT
had not left with the othar