Gilpin observer., 1916-01-06


effective" and there was roughness
in his voice which had come for the
first time. She was trifie 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
own partner. but Gall distinctly felt
his eyes following her as she walked
away with Cunningham.
Il 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"
II wonder which is the stronger
emotion in me just now" she re-
turned; "gratified vanity or curiosity"
Il hope it's the latter" smiled Cum
ningham. Il recall now gallery in
which there is a very good copy of the
Charmeaux canvas. and I'd be delight
ed to take you"
"Ill go with pleasure" promised
Gail. and Cunningham turned to her
with grateful smile.
Il would prefer to show you the
original" he ventured.
"Oh. look at 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 perspec-
tive of picture galleries, dazzling with
all the hues of the spectrum. and as
long as 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 trifies 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 was 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 pocketing.
or even hem contacts with surround
Ing couples, and acquitting himself of
lightly turned observations at the ex-
piration of about every seventy Sec
onds. He quite approved of her; ex-
| traordinarily SO. He had never met q
girl who approached SO near the thou
| sand per cent grade of perfection by
all the blue ribbon points.
| 1t was while she was enjoying her
| second restful dance with Van Ploon
that Gail. swinging with him near the
! south windows, heard the honk of an
auto horn, and near the conclusion OF
the dance, saw Allison standing In the
doorway of the ballroom, with his
hands in his pockets. watching her
with smile. Her eyes lighted with
pleasure, and she nodded gayly to him
| over Van Ploon's tall shoulder. When
the dance stopped she was on the far
side of the room, and was instantly
the center of buzzing little knot oa
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 conserya
tory, the drawing rooms, or the buffet
Nobody has saved me dance" he
complained.
Nobody expected you until tomor
row." Gail smilingly returned, intro
ducing him to the girls. IN beg you
one of my dances from Ted or some
body"
| "One will be enough for me, unless
you can steal me some more of your
own," he told her, glancing down at
her, from coiffure 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,
but now an added flush swept lightly
over her cheeks, and passed.
I'll see what can do" she specu.
lated. looking at her dance card. Il
think one is all you get"
I'm lucky even to have that" de.
clared Allison in content. "The fourth
dance down. That will just give me
time to punish the buffet. I'm hungry
as bear. 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
acquaintances jovially. for he was in
excellent humor in these days of build.
ing, and planning and clea ring uro,,pd