Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-12-16
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(Continued.)

It was noted afterward that Mrs.
Bruce maintained a vivid silence dur
ing the remainder of that dinner. The
duchess, on the contrary. wrung from
her purchased lines every possibility
they held.
And In that embattled setting Mr..
Minot sat, deaf to the DELICIOUS lisp of
the debutante at his side. What was
woman's greatest privilege? Wasn't
it
His forehead grew damp. His knees
trembled beneath the table. "Jeph-
son-Thacker. Jephson-Thacker," he
said over and over to himself.
After dinner when the added guests
invited by the duchess for the dance
crowded the ballroom Minot encoun-
tered Jack Paddock. Mr.. Paddock
was limp and pitiable.
Ever apologize to an angry wom-
an?' he asked. Ever try to expostu-
late with storm at sea? I've had it
out with Mrs. Bruce-offered to do any
thing to atone. She said the best
thing I could do would be to disappear
from San Marco. She's right. I'm
going. This is my exit from the but
tcrfiy life. And don't intend to say
goodby to the duchess. either"
II wish l could so with you," said
Minot sadly.
"Well. come along"
mo. TN stick 1t out. See you
later"
Mr.. Paddock slipped unostentatiously
away In the direction of the elevator.
On dais hidden by palms the orches-
ira began to play softly.
"You haven't asked to see my card"
said Cynthia Meyrick at Minot's side.
He smiled q wan smile and wrote
his name opposite No. 8. She drifted
away. The music became louder, ris-
ing to the bright Stars themselves.
The dances that had furnished SO
much bitter conversation at table be-
gan to break out. Minot hunted up
the balcony and stood gazing miser-
ably down at fairyland below.
There Miss Meyrick found him when
the fifth dance was imminent.
"Is 1t customary for girls to pursue
their partners?" she inquired.
"I'm sorry" he said weakly. "shall
we go in?"
'It's $3.50 glorious out here"
He sighed sigh of resignation. He
turned to her.
"You asked me what is woman's
grearest privilege" he said.
Eyes"
"Is ito change her mind?"
She looked timidly into his eyes.
ut is" she whispered family.
The most miserabIy happy man In
history, he gasped.
"Cynthia It's too late-you're to be
married tomorrow. Do you mean
you'd call it all Off now-at the last
minute?"
T She nodded her head, her eyes on the
ground.
"My Godr he moaned and turned
away.
ut would be all wrong to marry
Harrowby," she said family. Because
I've come to-I-oh, Dick, can't you
see?"
See! OF course 1 seer He clinched
his fists. Cynthia, my dearest
Below him stretched six stories of
open space. In his agony he thought
of leaping over the rail-of letting that
be his answer But, no, 1t would dis.
arrange things so. 1t might even post.
pone the wedding
Cynthia" he groaned, you can't
understand. 1t mustn't be. I've given
my word. can't explain, I can never
explain. But, Cynthia-Cynthia"-
Back in the shadow the girl pressed
her hands to her burning cheeks.
"a strange love-yours," she said.
"a love that blows hot and cold"
Cynthia, that isn't true. I do love
you
please! Please let us forget" She
stepped into the moonlight, fine. brave,
smiling. do we-dance"
"Cynthia" he cried unhappily. "If
you only understood ..
Il think I do. The music has stop.
ped. Harrowby has the next dance,
He'd hardly think of looking for me
here"
She was gone. Minot stood alone on
tho balcony. He was dazed, blind,
trembling. He had refused the girl
without whom life could never be
worth while. Refused her to keep the
faith!
He entered upon the bright scene In.
side, slipped unnoticed to the elevator
and, still dazed, descended to the lob
by. He would walk in the moonlight
until his senses were regained. Near
the main door of the De la Pax he
ran into Henry Trimmer. Mr.. Trim.
mer had newspaper in his hand.
What's the matter with the women
nowadaysf" he demanded Indignantly.
Minot tried in vain to push by him.
seen what those London suffragettes
have done nowT' And Trimmer point.
ed to headline.
what have they done?" asked MI
not.
Done? They put dynamite under
the statue of Lord Nelson in Trafalgar
square and blew 1t sky high. 1t fell
over into the strand
"Good"' cried Minot wildly. Good!
I hope 1t smashed the whole of Lon.
don" And, brushing aside the star