The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1916-07-05


seekers outside.
Miss Knight! I'm so glad to see
you again." she burbled. How sweet
you look! l hoped we'd meet again;
but where have you been? Have you
finished your shopping? Then do come
and help me match some rose du
Barry"
I.orelei felt herself flushing uncom-
fortably under the stares of the on
lockers, and, glad to escape, she
moved away beside the undisturbed
cause of all the furore.
Miss Demorest seemed genuinely de-
lighted at this encounter. She chung
to her companion, chattering vivacious-
ly; then, when the rose du Barry had
been matched, she suggested tea.
We'll run right over to the Wal
dorf-my car is outside" But Lorelei
declined, explaining lamely that she
did not care for public places.
The dancers expression and tone
changed abruptly. 81 supposed you
were like all the Others"
'Well, I'm not When I'm away
from the theater 1 try to forget it.
hate the business"
The reply, which came with sincere
feeling, widened Lorelei's eyes with
uncomfortable surprise.
Here, too" said Adoree Demorest,
quietly. But I'm not allowed to for
get it. Our first meeting made me
think you were-out with banners. l
was hired on that occasion to be
naughty. What do you say to some
real tea at my house? Just you and
II"
Lorelei's heart sank at the thought
of that gaudy machine outside, but
there was an honest appeal in the
speakers eyes, and, moreover, the
memory of her obligation rose to pre-
vent her from appearing ungrateful.
''I'd be delighted" she falsifed. and
gurgling with appreciation, Miss Dem
crest hurried her toward the nearest
exit. In the street. however, Adoree
paused, and her next words showed
that she was not wanting in womanly
intuition.
II shan't infiict you with a ride in
that circus wagon. It's all right for
me, but-you're one of the decent kind.
If you have reputation it won't do
to parade it in a show case. Well take
a taxi" Lorelei's relief must have
been obvious, for Adoree sped swiftly
to the corner, then was back again
without the dog. eff there's anything
more conspicuous than blonde with
white poodle" she explained, its
two blondes with two poodles." Then
she flung herself into the cab and
slammed the door.
You must think I'm very rude" her
guest ventured.
Nothing of the sort. I know just
how you feel" Hiss Demorest's smile
was tritie strained. "Only-Im aw
fully lonesome and-Tll take care that
nobody sees US"
Now I know I've been nasty" Lo-
relief felt her embarrassment growing.
for this woman differed entirely from
what she had expected. Underneath
the dancers extravagant theatricalism
she appeared natural and unaffected.
Adoree changed the current of the
conversation by saying:
81 hope those bloodhounds get to
fighting"
''How-funny!' Lorelei was eying
the speaker with undisguised curiosity
You're not Frenchwoman?
agnes Smith is the name. Decent
by descent, but an actress by adver-
Using. What's your gamer
"Um-m-My nose is straight; don't
limp; so I'm an actress by force of fea-
ture."
Both girls laughed unaffectedly.
II like you," said the dancer. do
you mind if l get out of this cast-iron
corset and into a kimono when we get
homer"
Have you spare one"
Dozens; but they're not very clean"
That's lovely. And let's make the
tea weak"
ooh, l can't drink anything strong!
I'm an awful counterfeit"
I'm beginning to think so. l.
wonder if I'm dreaming"
The girls had much in common; they
chartered continuously through the
short ride, and when they alighted
from the taxicab they disputed over
the right to pay for it. When the
guest was ushered into Adoree's apart
ment she received another surprise,
for the place was neither elaborate nor
snowy. 1t consisted merely Of two
large, comfortable rooms overlooking
a side street lined with monotonous
brownstone boarding houses.
A battered teakettle was set to boil
over an absurd alcohol stove that re-
quired expert assistance to maintain
it's equilibrium. Adoree flung out OF
her finery and donned Japanese robe
Offering another to Lorelei. A plate
of timber crackers was unearthed
from somewhere, also the disreputable
remains of box of marshmallOws
md fhaca 10 flor MadamoiSnlln Demo-