The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-26

going to see who's here first Stay out here with me just nninute"
 She walked to one of the long French windows and looked inside. The scene was gay enough to dispel any shadows. Yet over in one corner, leaning against pillar, his arm folded, his chin held closely in one hand was Lamar, in 8 brown study.
 Mary crept up beside her and looked over her shoulder Her eyes fell on Lamar, and she started so violently that June put out an arm to steady her.
 There's nothing to be frightened about she said, soothingly Nothing at all, only-'
 "Only what? asked Mary, quaveringly.
 'Only I'm going to put on my gloves. . A minute later she entered the ball. room with her mother. Presently she was surrounded by men imploring her to allow them to autograph her dance card. Lamar glanced up, saw her and started across the floor in her direction. Mary sitting on little settee against the wall of the ballroom saw him take Junes hand and bend over it. She half rose from the seat then remembered where she was and sat down again, grip ping the arm of the chair and watching every move of the little group. Suddenly a woman appeared at one of the pillars-a woman who attracted at tention by her daring attire. She wore a gown whose foundation was of flesh color chiffon The overdress was simply a network of jet. The costume was dar- ingly decollete, and was held in place over the shoulders by a delicate chain of jet beads. Among the pretty, girlish dance frocks 1t looked bizarre-all but indecent.
 Just for moment she leaned against the pillar, waving huge, black ostricn fan to and fro Over the soft tips of of,11 foe of a venturesome young man. She sig naled. He obeyed. Mary watched, until the two were lost in the maze of dancers. Then her eyes wandered back to June, who was still deeply engrossed in what Lamar was saying.
 l Mary wished that some of the men would come up and claim June for dance Anything to be rid of Lamar. 1 The slender woman in the startling cos l tune kept dancing into Marys line of vision. She was leaning back against her partners arm, looking into his eyes.
 taunting smile on her thing vivid l lips.
 1 While Mary was deciding that this was quite the most disgusting type of woman she had ever seen, the strange girl and her partner collided clumsily with another 1 couple The woman with whom they col lided-a plump blonde and beautifully gowned-got the worst of the collision.
 
 ankles. Then, while proper apologies were made by the woman in black and 1 her partner, the little blonde limped away on her partners arm and sought 1 refuge on a settee near Mary. The acute 1 pain in her foot must have made her I feel faint. For the man immediately 1 went in search of a glass of water and returned with it as quickly as possible, After taking few swallows, Mary l saw the blonde girl put her hand over her heart and draw a deep breath of re- l lief. But the expression of renewed strength gave way instantly to startled 1 surprise. She was passing her hands rapidly over the front of her elaborately embroidered gown.
 What's the matter. Mrs. Hinkle?"
 Mary heard the young man say.
 I've lost my brooch-my diamond 1 brooch!" gasped the woman. T had 1 it on a minute ago, I'm sure" | Surely it must be around some where if you had it on just moment ago." protested the young man. May 1 be you dropped 1t when we had our
 tumble Wait here and I'll go look around that spot"
 l NO, I'll come with you. It's made me nervous. I couldn't sit still" 1 As they passed several chatting groups Mrs Hinkle announced her loss 1 loudly. Soon the floor was covered
 with people searching for the missing diamonds.
 Suddenly Mary realized that June 1 was not in the little throng of search CTS. She jumped up anxiously. Mary wandered about looking into room aft | CT room, with no result. | She decided that Lamar and June were walking in the grounds. It would be impossible for an old woman with l falling sight to find them out there 1 in the pale moonlight.
 Discouraged and tired out with wor- | ry and the unaccustomed glare and noise. Mary entered one of the little rooms off the main corridor. She sank into a deep, highbacked chair. uphol- stered in some soft. velyety, material
 and put her head back
 Her imagination tortured her The very thing that she had feared had l happened She had come to the ball l for the express purpose of watching
 over her little girl. She had relaxed l her vigilance for moment and June
 had disappeared-in company with La
 mar With grim horror Mary conjured l up all the terrible things that might 1 happen Her thoughts resolved them | selves into a waking nightmare-then they faded slowly. A gentle fluttering :! in the soft lace ruffle at the neck of her black satin dress, spoke of a light l restful sleep. The tricky doze of ap l preaching old age.
 (Continued in Tomorrow's Age -Herald)