The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-02-03

A rush Of noise f&asd the hall. Lu-
cile and Ted TeasdaN. handsome Dick
Rodley and Arly FsseaAd and Houston
Van Ploon, had COINS gathering in az
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 DoAisy. heading for
the stairs.
SILLY. ysu mustn't" cried Lucille,
and started after him. Flakes should
be asleep at thiI auuY."
II 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
corne Of her favorite couch, nursing
a 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 II 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 1t a whic," begged Arly, and
ven 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. 60 hore." suddenly com.
maRded Mrs. Davies. Dick. put the
dog back where you found It,"
Il suppose Wen have to go home"
drawied Ted. Dick. put back that
dog"
Put away the dog, Dick" ordered
the heavier voice q young Van Ploon.
Come along. CAT, III put him away"
At his approach Dick placed the
puppy. with great care. in Gairs
| charge, and took her mm. Van Ploon
took her other arm, and together the
trio, laughing. went away to return
Flakes to his bed. They chung to her
most ~afectionately. bending over hsr
on either side; and they called her
Gail! .r
The others were ready to 60 when
they returned from the collie nursery.
and the three young men stood for a
moment in a row nea the door. Gail
looked them over with a puzzled ex-
preston. What was there about them
which was SO attractive? Was 1t 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, recognising
again that thrill. The baYest trace of
a flush came into her cheeks. and paled
again.
Gail changed her garments ana let
DOWN her waving hair and. d~isdaintng
the help OF her maid, performed al
the little nightly duties, to tho putting
away Of her clothing. Then, in a per-
fectly neat and orderly boudoir. she
sat down to take herself seriously In
hand.
There was Q knock at the dooY aa6,
on invitation, the tall and stately Mrs.
Helen Davies came In, frilleA and rsf.
fed for the night. She found the
dainty, little guest boudoir in greeA
tinted dinnesA Gan had turned down
all the lights In tAA room except the
green lamps under the canopy. and
she a on the dival, with her brown
hair ripping about her shoulders, her
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.
ent reflections, only enhanced the clear
pink OF her complexion. Mrs. Davies
moved over to the other side Of Gail.
where she could surround her. and laid
the brown head on her shoulder.