The Washington times., 1916-01-19

" had been unaware OF their
approach. Staring into La
mars face. now, she lost her composuTe
for the merest fraction OF a second.
The next instant she had extended her
riRht hand and placed It between his
two eager ones.
Drew and the count, suspicious of any
and all sailor suits. crowded up. intent
upon the hand that Lamar held pris-
oner. They waited impatiently for him
to release 1t. Still holding the slender
fingers in his right hand. he dropped
his left. uncovering the back of the
girls little hand.
Immediately the count and Drew
oraned their curious necks. Lamar him
self involuntarily looked down. A
smooth white surface with just the
tiniest golden brown freckle on one
knuckle met his eve. He Laughed at
the other two in sheer Hnusement June
watched the bY-play. demurely. her
heart beating ra pidly.
As the three men looked at her. she
smiled. Drew and the count were Gov
cred with confusion. Lamar tried to
speak. Before he had chance to form
his phrase of explanation. June With
drew her hand.
''Will you tell me why YOU three gem
tl0men are scrutinizinE the back OF my
hand SO intently?" she questioned.
hint of mischief in her voice. Raising
the hand for her own ITtSsS insPeStion vsns she
wrong with it. Do your - . .,
spluttered Drew helplessiy.
'Madame" exclaimed the count
with elaborate courtesy sit is our
misfortune TOTO"
II apologize Sor my unpardonable
rudeness, Miss Travis" Lamar inter-
my friends 10 you. The pleasure OF
meeting you.-uncNpectedly. like this,
must have ratified me friRhttully.
May l present Mr.. Drew, Miss ira
Wis? And Count Freels. Miss Travis
It's strange you people haven't met
before. Surfton is a small place"
The count bowed low and lifted
june's hand to his lips with courtly
sweep that irrltated Lamar.
"As was saying" Max repeated.
loudly. 'it is strange you haven't
met at some OF the functions that
ave been given at the hotel. You
en- are stopping there and I'm sure
iss Travis attends all the dances
Il do, indeed" said June gayly
There's to be a ball there tonight
tho way. Mother and I are going
Ion't l see you all there? Do come
le music ~ splendid and the floor II
oaxed pretIily.
Lamar hesitated a moment. Attend
e a ball ut the Surfton Hotel wal
OF tracking the Red Circle unless
A ball! There would be a display
Jewels. And
.Tll be there" he promised nEnIy ,
1ith me. Miss Travis"
Remember. You've promised sol
mnly-and I'm going to hold you t.
Lamar stood looking after her. HI
ccustomed alertness was gone. Aroun'
is lips played a tender, semifatuou
mile. His eyes were weaving vision
n which a vibrant young hgure in
White sailor suit played the leadin
June turned to wave her hand. sh
saw Drew and the count seize Lama
orously from his day dreams. sh
waited until the three men had sc
on in the opposite direction, gesticu
lating eXcitedly. Then she lifted he
and laughed gleefully. She bounded u
the steps leading to the Travis cOtta8
with all the rompins boisterOusness G
a schEol-tree child; stopping to laus
That night at 10. June eat befor
her DRESSING table: S,, pulling little tsS sS
SfEect and smiled with satisfied vanit
at the charming reflection Then thor
appeared in the glass another fac
th H SSShy T'SSI9 lines TSSSt VTsT ~. mS5
still looking into the mirror; JuH
TeRched up behind her and pulled III
face down to hers, kissing the wor
cheek tenderly. Mary held her clol
and they both smiled at the mirrOre
image. suddenly, June ran her han
down the old nurses arm,
she exclaimed excitedly. You've &
on your satin frock. And there's yol
s' ere You @ soing at this hour Of Ii
night. you dear, old silly?"
"To the ball"
ITO the ball Honey, have just
tiny grain Of sense, will you? VIII,
in the world are you going to the ba
"To take care Of you"
put / don't need anyone to tai
care OF me. dear. And besides moth
II know. But Tn, going anyway"
Now II you think Tn going to.
you sacrifice yourself" tegan Jul
T'he idea Of your sitting up all nigf
dressed to kill, at a ball where you
be bored to death and most likely II
asleep-iust because you have a lot
foolish worrisome ideas about mel
won't have II, Mary"
You can't talk me OUT or 1t, pL
cious, so save your breath, was .
SoSt'Ss sHswsT s5s wsD..S IN E Ethe Up BACK sO
that skirt It's not graceful the vi
Il Is. And what Jewelry are you 6
ing 20 wear?''
None"
why not, lamb7''
'oH, beauty unadoPnsd, you kno'
I'm concsited and don't think / ne
AEsTs stood Ioskiur At her, her ha,