The Detroit times., 1916-05-09

the best places In town.
So Il came To pass that many
evenings they patronized some IA.
nous cafe or hotel. joining the
pleasure.mad throng. yet unmlstak.
ably removed from any real partici.
PATTON In the merriment. Always
Clairabelle felt herself to be an
outsider, a looker.on at the fun OF
others.
One night at the close of their
dinner Mr.. Atwood narrowed his
eyes, lifting one OF the rainbow
bubbles TO the light. Rather good
glass service they have here. don't
you think?"
Clairabelle tore her attention from
laughing group of young people at
the next table. who were exclaiming
over dance trophy one of the
party had just won. Very pretty"
she said politely.
I'VE might pick up some of this
Tor our house." he suggested.
Clairabelle started. Are we 60.
ing to have q houseg" she faltered.
why. yes. I thought so. when We
tire of travelling and settle down"
Her eyes were once more IRE
sistibly drawn to that other table,
where the young folks were now In
a perfect fury Of mirth. but again
her hance's voice droned Its way to
her attention. What color should
you choose for your reception
room?" he was asking.
Clairabelle dug her teeth into her
lips and listened patiently. She did
not yawn once, but when at the end
OF the evening he gently kissed her
good night, and she found herself in
her own shabby little boarding
house hall bedroom. she heaved q
deep sigh OF relief.
The naring gaslight beside her
dressing mirror reflected her worn.
white image with startling distinct
ness. and she leaned forward with a
Mortified cry. How old and faded
look" she thought in dismay, and,
could IL be possible? Yes. at the
outer corners OF her eyes were
faint sprays OF wrinkle lines. IT'S
not making me happy" she moaned
Then deliberately Clairabelle sat
herself down to think OF the future
which stretched before her--a long.
slow future like one OF those formal
dinners. She would go 10 live in a
very correct house with a conven-
tional reception room, and would
have people In 10 tiresome enter.
tainments. Thomas, Mr. Atwood.
would always be. very, very good to
her and never deny her anything she
wanted--he had promised that much,
but he would n.ver laugh with her
over nothing. as those boys and
girls at the other table were laugh
ing. as she achei to laugh. He was
the best man in the world, but there
were no dreams in his eyes, and no
thrill in his touch.
Impulsively she wrote note to
Rodney Taft asking him TO come to
her, and the next morning, when
phoning MIR. Atwood Ak usual, TO
thank him for his flowers, she told
him rather peremptorily not TO call
that evening.
Al s p. m. Clairabelle. garbed In
one OF her oldest and shabbiest
frocks. met the bewildered youth
in the stiff parlor, hat on and wrap
in hand You're to take me 10 the
movies" she declared: at sight OF
him a radiant glow had suffused her
luminous pallor.
''Even as they descended the front
stoop Clairabelle began to pretend
Just as In the days before her en-.
gagement Were eloping." she
whispered. and there's your hated
rival passing across the street; he's
hurrying 40 that you won't catch n
glimpse OF his face"
Rodney. ever quick to respond, IN
htantiy Caught HeT InOOu Let
overtake him and see il he will dare
defy u.s."
And so the ages-old game Of
youth was on again. and Clairabelle
chartered and giggled, and played
silly jokes until they got back to
the boarding house.
II suppose this Is the last time"
he said. IL thank you. dear, for
the evening"
Clairabelle held him with be-
wildering smile. do you still like
me little bit?" she asked provok-
ingly
His arms shot out, but swiftly
eludlng him. she ran up the front
stoop. "Fll telephone you in the
morning" she whispered back. II
can't say any more now. because,
you see, I'm still engaged to him."
That night when Clairabelle
turned up the sputtering gas jet