Mexico Missouri message., 1916-01-27
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1t was Alix that discovered Alan as
the Elenic steamed slowly down the
Solent He was already comfortably
established in his chair with a small
pile of fiction beside him.
She paused before she approached
him. Alan had always interested her.
Alix had thought of him heretofore
as a modern exquisite subject to atavic
fits that, in times past, had led him
into more than one barbarous esca-
pade Now in London she had by chance
heard things of him that forced her to
readjustment of her estimate. In six
months Alan had turned himself into
mystery.
"Well," she said, coming up behind
him, "how are your"
Alan turned his head slowly and
then threw off his rugs and sprang
to his feet.
'The sky is clear" he said, "where
did you drop from" His eyes meas
ured her. She was ravishing in a fur
toQue and coat which had yet to re-
ceive their baptism of import duty.
"Oh," said Alix, my presence is
humdrum. Just the usual returning
from six weeks abroad. But you! You
come from the haunts of wild beasts
and from all accounts you have been
one"
"Been one! From all accountsr ex-
claimed Alan, a puzzled frown on his
face. "Just what do you mean"
They started walking. 81 meant that
even in Africa one can't hide from Pic
cadilly. In Piccadilly you are already
known. Not as Mr.. Alan Wayne, a
New York social satellite, but as q
whirlwind in shirt sleeves. Ten Per
cent Wayne, in short" She looked
at him with teasing archness. She
could see that he was worried.
Satellite is rather rough" remarked
Alan. 81 never was that"
"All bachelors are satellites In the
nature of things-satellite to other
mems wives"
"Have you a vacancyT said Alan.
They both knew they were embark
ing upon a dangerous game, but Alix
played it often. No pretty woman
takes her European degree without
ample occasion for practice and Alix
had been through the European mill.
She threw out her daintily shod feet
as she walked. She was full of life.
She felt like skipping. The light Of
battle danced merrily In her eyes. She
made no other reply.
II met lots of people we both know" +"
she said, at last.
(Which one OF them passed on the
news that had taken to the ways OF
a wild beast?"
ooh, that was the Honorable Percy.
only caught few words, He was
telling about a man known as Ten
Percent Wayne and the only time he'd
ever seen the shirt-sIeeve policy work
with natives. When I learned 1t was
Africa, linked up with you at once
and screamed and ne turned to me and
said, You know Mr.. Wagner But
just then Lady Merle signaled the re
treat, and when the men came out
somebody else snaffled Collingeford be
fore ] got chance"
ooh, Collingeford," said Alan. 81
remember" He frowned and was 81
lent.
"Alan," said Alix after a moment
''let me warn you. see new ten
dency in you but before 1t goes
any further than a tendency lei
me tell you that thoughtful
man is most awful bore. WheI
l caught sight OF you thought, 'Whai
; a delightful little party but II you're
going to be pensive there are others
Alan glanced at her. "Alix," h'
said, mimieking her tone, 81 see In yoI
the makings OF an altogether charming
woman. I'm not speaking Of thI
: painstaking Yeneer-I suppose yol
need that in your walk Of life-bn
what's under it. There may be others
: as you say. Pretty women have takei
to wearing men for bangles. But dom
you make a mistake. I'm not ban
: gle. rye just come from the unclothe'
3 world OF real things. TO me man I
: just man and, what's more, womal
. is Just a woman"
8 'sHow un-Amerlcan," said Alix.
I "It's more than that" said Alar
Its pre- American"
AK was thoughtful In her turn
Alan caught her by the arm and turnel
her toward the west A yawl was Jus