Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-12-23

dance? No! Then, get picked, Billy;
get pickled!" and he motioned the SOL
emn headwaiter to him.
Il don't have to be gay until the
fun comes." retorted Billy, attempting
to reach Tommy's height of glorious
fiippancy; but his somberness would
not shake off. He was studying the
familiar ornateness OF the big empty
room, as If all at once, its luxury were
strange to him, and his gaze strayed
from the big chandelier, with its
thousand iridescences, to the elabor-
ately paneled Louis Quinze walls.
Tremendous contrast between this
and the Bowery.'
'Wow!" said Tommy. IT'S lucky
thing for you that l have ten minutes
before the mob arrives" He turned
to the headwaiter. six cocktails" he
ordered. He turned briskly back to
his friend. You will get one drink
every three and a third minutes" he
explained, watch in hand.
Sensible idea" laughed Billy, and
they followed the headwaiter to the
| sideboard.
Young Lane, both his engineering
and his psychological problems for
| gotten, was light of mood and spark
ling of eye when the Benning party
came chattering into the room.
There were twenty of them, mostly
youthful and fresh checked and care
free; and the spirit of frivolity took
possession of the place. 1t was as if
| a cyclone of merriment had suddenly
burst into the prim stiffness of that
gold and rose hall. There were laugh
| ing voices, flashing eyes, the gleam of
| pearly teeth, the curving of bewitching
lips, the glitter of jewels, the rustic
of filmy gowns, and all the gay hustle
| and confusion of such parties as jolly
old B. B. Benning loved to give.
An orchestra, half screened by
palms, struck into lively march, and
| Billy found the tall and graceful Mir
| lam Hassleton beside him as the
! throng made its way to the table.
! Clever girl, Miriam, full of general ap-
peal, and serenely conscious of it. A
| little light repartee between them
vague half-meanings which might OF
might not be turned into a laugh or q
Irritation, but light as froth in its
! analysis.
Geraldine Benning slipped between
pompous Joseph Gandish and Jack
Greeves, to get at Bill. Miriam Has
selton was considered to be an ac-
quired taste, like olives; but some peo-
pie became very fond of olives. Tom
| my arrived at Miriam'S side Just as
Geraldine reached them; so Geraldine
swept both the boys away. They, al
least. should not be Miriamized! She
| luIneu L lOIlIny over 10 the ulnpleO
little Parsons girl. Dolly Parsons
| could be trusted
Geraldine snuggled her hand in Bill
ly's arm. She was unusually pretty to-
night, in her shimmering gown of sill
yer tissue touched with green, and
with her new tiara of diamonds and
emeralds in her golden brown hair
AS young Lane drew her hand in
place, he patted it. She turned swift.
ly up to him, and her eyes were glow
ing. He drew her arm closer within
his own. They were very fond of eact
other, these two; they had always
been. He bent down and whispered
something to her, and a little ripple
of laughter followed, then Geraldine
flushed prettily.
Here are our places" she eXclaim.
ed, examining the cards on the table
Here's mine, and there's yours, and
next to you is pretty Leila Langster
You're in luck!'
Indeed I am" and he helped heI
into her chair with exaggerated gal.
lantry.
"Why there's Billy Lane!" suddenl,
called Tommy, taking his seat on the
opposite side of the table, between the
dimpled Parsons girl and the viva.
cious Mrs. Greeves. Ladies and gen